Kural #624
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Tamil text
மடுத்தவா யெல்லாம் பகடன்னான்
உற்ற இடுக்கண் இடர்ப்பாடு உடைத்து
Maṭuttavā yellām pakaṭaṉṉāṉ
Uṟṟa iṭukkaṇ iṭarpāṭu uṭaittu
English translation
Adversity itself suffers when it confronts one who bears troubles like a patient ox pulling its cart through all obstacles.
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Explanation
The bull or ox (பகடு) is used as a symbol of patient strength. Just as an ox pulls its cart through any terrain - mud, rocks, steep paths - without complaint, so should one face difficulties. Such stoic endurance actually defeats adversity (இடுக்கண் இடர்ப்பாடு உடைத்து - troubles experience trouble). The patient bearer is mightier than the burden.
விளக்கம்
குறள் 624: தடைகளை மாடு இழுப்பதுபோல் பொறுமையாய் தாங்குபவரை துன்பம் ஒன்றும் செய்யாது. "இடுக்கண் அழியாமை" அதிகாரத்தில், விடாமுயற்சியால் கஷ்டமே கஷ்டப்படும் என்பது கருத்து. பொறுமையே வெற்றி தரும்.
Word meanings
- மடுத்தmaṭuttathat which obstructs
- வாய்vāyplaces/paths
- எல்லாம்ellāmall
- பகடுpakaṭubull/ox
- அன்னான்aṉṉāṉone who is like
- உற்றuṟṟaexperienced
- இடுக்கண்iṭukkaṇadversity
- இடர்ப்பாடுiṭarpāṭusuffering/distress
- உடைத்துuṭaittuhas/experiences
Story behind this kural
In a humble village nestled beside a vast forest, lived a potter named Kumar. His life was a cycle of crafting clay pots, often disrupted by misfortune. One year, a storm destroyed his kiln, leaving him with no means to fire his creations. Another time, bandits stole his finished wares, leaving him penniless. His neighbor, Ravi, a weaver, would often lament these trials, wringing his hands and declaring the world unfair. Kumar, however, would simply sigh, gather fresh clay, and begin anew. He’d rebuild his kiln, his hands stained with mud, his spirit unbroken. When his pots were stolen, he'd patiently craft more, smiling at the challenge. The villagers watched, puzzled. "Doesn't adversity wear you down, Kumar?" they'd ask. Kumar would only shrug, his eyes reflecting the sun. Years passed. Ravi’s loom remained idle, his spirit broken by setbacks. Kumar's pottery, however, flourished, his reputation for resilience as strong as his sturdy pots. Even the storms seemed to avoid his workshop.