Kural #615
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Tamil text
இன்பம் விழையான் வினைவிழைவான் தன்கேளிர்
துன்பம் துடைத்தூன்றும் தூண்
Iṉpam viḻaiyāṉ viṉaiviḻaivāṉ taṉkēḷir
Tuṉpam tuṭaittūṉṟum tūṇ
English translation
He who desires work over pleasure becomes a pillar that supports and wipes away the sorrows of his relatives.
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Explanation
A beautiful image: the hardworking person becomes a தூண் (pillar) for the family. By preferring work (வினைவிழைவான்) over personal pleasure (இன்பம் விழையான்), one becomes the support system that removes (துடைத்து) the sorrows (துன்பம்) of relatives (கேளிர்). Such a person literally holds up the family structure.
விளக்கம்
குறள் 615-ன் பொருள்: சோம்பலை விட்டு, வேலையை விரும்புபவன், தன் குடும்பத்தின் கஷ்டங்களை நீக்கும் தூணாக இருப்பான். ஊக்கமுடன் உழைப்பதே ஆள்வினையுடைமை அதிகாரத்தின் முக்கியம். இது குடும்பத்திற்கு நன்மை செய்யும்.
Word meanings
- இன்பம்iṉpampleasure
- விழையான்viḻaiyāṉone who does not desire
- வினைviṉaiwork
- விழைவான்viḻaivāṉone who desires
- தன்taṉone's own
- கேளிர்kēḷirrelatives
- துன்பம்tuṉpamsorrow
- துடைத்துtuṭaittuwiping away
- ஊன்றும்ūṉṟumsupporting
- தூண்tūṇpillar
Story behind this kural
In a small village nestled beside a lush green valley, lived two brothers, Arun and Bala. Arun, the elder, loved leisurely days, spending hours fishing and basking in the sun. Bala, however, rose before dawn, tilling the family's small plot of land. While Arun enjoyed the village festivals, Bala toiled, planting, weeding, and harvesting. A harsh winter arrived. The river froze, making fishing impossible. The villagers' stores dwindled. Arun's family, lacking provisions, began to suffer. Bala, however, had foresight. He had stored a plentiful harvest, earned through his tireless efforts. He shared his grain generously, ensuring everyone had enough to survive. His family, and many others, were spared the worst of the hardship. Arun, watching his brother's actions, finally understood. He learned the value of hard work, not just for oneself, but for the well-being of all those connected.