Kural #626
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Tamil text
அற்றேமென்று அல்லற் படுபவோ
பெற்றேமென்று ஓம்புதல் தேற்றா தவர்
Aṟṟēmeṉṟu allaṟ paṭupavō
Peṟṟēmeṉṟu ōmputal tēṟṟā tavar
English translation
Will those who never rejoiced saying "we have gained" grieve saying "we have lost"?
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Explanation
A profound philosophical question: if you didn't celebrate possessions (பெற்றேம்), why mourn their loss (அற்றேம்)? Those who don't become attached to gains (ஓம்புதல் தேற்றாதவர் - those not skilled in cherishing) won't suffer from losses. This teaches emotional equanimity - neither excessive joy nor excessive sorrow. A key insight into mental peace.
விளக்கம்
செல்வம் வந்தபோது மகிழாதவர், அது போன பின்பு வருத்தப்பட மாட்டார். இடுக்கண் அழியாமை அதிகாரத்தில், துன்பம் வரும்போது கலங்காமல் இருக்க இது ஒரு வழி. பற்றின்மை மன அமைதி தரும்.
Word meanings
- அற்றேம்aṟṟēmwe have lost
- என்றுeṉṟusaying
- அல்லல்allalsorrow/suffering
- படுபவோpaṭupavōwill they suffer?
- பெற்றேம்peṟṟēmwe have gained
- ஓம்புதல்ōmputalcherishing/protecting
- தேற்றாதவர்tēṟṟātavarthose not skilled in
Story behind this kural
In a humble village nestled beside a whispering river, lived two farmers, Arun and Bala. Arun toiled relentlessly, his days consumed by the pursuit of a bountiful harvest. When the rains came, he rejoiced, and when the sun shone, he celebrated. He built a grand home to house his abundant yields. Bala, however, saw the fields as a gift, not a guarantee. He worked with care, but his heart remained untouched by the transient nature of fortune. He lived simply, his small cottage sufficient. One season, a fierce storm ravaged the land. Arun’s granary was swept away, and his fields were ruined. He wept, lamenting his losses. Bala's crops were also damaged, but his small home remained and he sighed, and rebuilt. He knew nature's fury was a part of life's dance. The villagers, witnessing both farmers' reactions, found themselves pondering the weight of attachment and the ease of the unburdened heart.