Kural #627
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Tamil text
இலக்கம் உடம்பிற்கு அதுபோகக் கால்
கலக்கத்தை நோக்கிக் கவல்வது எவன்
Ilakkam uṭampirkku atupōkak kāl
Kalakattai nōkkik kakalvatu evaṉ
English translation
When the body itself is destined to perish, why worry by anticipating troubles?
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Explanation
The ultimate perspective: our body (உடம்பு) itself is marked for death (இலக்கம் - target). If the body will inevitably perish, what sense is there in worrying about lesser troubles? This is not morbid but liberating - recognizing life's impermanence frees us from excessive anxiety about temporary setbacks. A touch of Buddhist-like wisdom.
விளக்கம்
உடம்பு அழியக்கூடியது. அது போகும்போது வரும் துன்பங்களை நினைத்து ஏன் கவலைப்பட வேண்டும்? நிலையாமையை உணர்ந்து, சிறிய கஷ்டங்களுக்கு அழியாமல் இருப்பது இடுக்கண் அழியாமை அதிகாரத்தின் கருத்து.
Word meanings
- இலக்கம்ilakkamtarget/mark (for death)
- உடம்பிற்குuṭampirkkufor the body
- அதுatuthat
- போகக்கால்pōkakkālwhen it goes/perishes
- கலக்கத்தைkalakattaidisturbances
- நோக்கிnōkkianticipating
- கவல்வதுkavalvatuworrying
- எவன்evaṉwhat for/why
Story behind this kural
In a small village nestled beside a whispering forest lived an old potter named Kumar. His hands, though gnarled with age, crafted the most beautiful clay pots in the land. One harsh winter, a fierce storm ravaged his workshop. The roof collapsed, shattering his finest creations. Kumar's neighbors found him amidst the debris, his face etched with worry. "Oh, Kumar," they lamented, "Your livelihood is ruined!" Kumar, however, simply smiled. He began gathering the broken pieces. He salvaged what he could, his movements deliberate and calm. "The storm has passed," he said softly, "and the sun will shine again." He spent the next few weeks rebuilding, his spirit unbent. He created even more exquisite pots than before. The villagers, watching his resilience, marveled at his unwavering spirit. They understood something profound: the temporary nature of hardship, and the enduring strength of the human spirit.