Kural #620
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Tamil text
ஊழையும் உப்பக்கம் காண்பர்
உலைவின்றித் தாழாது உஞற்று பவர்
Ūḻaiyum uppakkam kāṇpar
Ulaiviṉṟit tāḻātu uñaṟṟu pavar
English translation
Those who strive without wavering or slacking will even see the back of fate turning away in defeat.
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Explanation
The chapter ends magnificently: persistent effort can defeat even fate (ஊழ்)! Those who work உலைவின்றி (without wavering) and தாழாது (without slacking) will see fate's உப்பக்கம் (back/retreat). Even destiny surrenders to relentless effort. This elevates human agency above cosmic determinism - a remarkably empowering message.
விளக்கம்
விடாமுயற்சியால் ஊழையும் வெல்லலாம். தளராமல், சோம்பல் இல்லாமல் உழைப்பவர்கள், தங்கள் முயற்சியால் விதியையே புறமுதுகிடச் செய்வார்கள். ஆள்வினையுடைமை அதிகாரத்தின்படி, முயற்சி திருவினையாக்கும் என்பதே இதன் நீதி.
Word meanings
- ஊழையும்ūḻaiyumeven fate
- உப்பக்கம்uppakkamthe back (retreating)
- காண்பர்kāṇparwill see
- உலைவுulaivuwavering
- இன்றிiṉṟiwithout
- தாழாதுtāḻātuwithout slacking
- உஞற்றுபவர்uñaṟṟupavarthose who strive
Story behind this kural
In a small village nestled beside a vast forest, lived a woodcutter named Arul. Every day, Arul ventured into the woods, his axe his only companion. For years, he struggled. The trees were stubborn, the forest vast, and the yield meager. Many villagers, resigned to their fate, whispered that the forest was cursed, that no amount of work could change their lot. But Arul never wavered. Though his hands were raw and his back ached, he rose with the sun and swung his axe until dusk. He studied the trees, learning their weaknesses, honing his technique. He ignored the whispers and the discouraging glances. Slowly, his efforts began to bear fruit. His wood became the finest in the village. Soon, he had enough to build a sturdy home and provide for his family. The villagers, once skeptical, now sought his advice. They saw that the forest, like fate, yields to persistent effort.