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Kural #66

Virtue· அறம்The Blessing of Children· மக்கட்பேறு

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Tamil text

குழல்இனிது யாழ்இனிது என்பதம்

மக்கள் மழலைச்சொல் கேளா தவர்

Kuḻaliṉitu yāḻiṉitu eṉpatam

Makkaḷ maḻalaiccol kēḷā tavar

English translation

Only those who have not heard the prattle of their own children say that the flute and the lyre are sweet.

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Explanation

This is a masterpiece of comparative poetry. The குழல் (flute) and யாழ் (lyre/harp) were considered the sweetest instruments in classical Tamil culture. Yet Thiruvalluvar declares that those who praise these instruments as the sweetest sounds have never experienced the மழலைச்சொல் (baby talk, the sweet lisping speech) of their own children. Nothing compares to that melody.

விளக்கம்

குழலும் யாழும் இனிமையானவை என்பர், தம் குழந்தைகளின் மழலைச் சொல்லைக் கேளாதவர். பிள்ளைகளின் பேச்சு அதைவிட இனிது. இது மக்கட்பேறு அதிகாரத்தில் குழந்தைகளின் அருமையைச் சொல்லும் குறள்.

Word meanings

  • குழல்kuḻalflute
  • இனிதுiṉituis sweet
  • யாழ்yāḻlyre/harp
  • என்பதுeṉpatusay that
  • அம்amthose (connecting particle)
  • மக்கள்makkaḷchildren
  • மழலைmaḻalaiprattle/baby talk
  • சொல்colwords/speech
  • கேளாதவர்kēḷātavarthose who have not heard

Story behind this kural

In a serene village nestled beside a whispering river, lived a renowned musician named Elara. His flute music, echoing through the valley, was celebrated as the sweetest sound. Kings and queens travelled far to hear him play. One day, a wealthy merchant, praising Elara's skill, declared his flute the most beautiful thing he had ever heard. Nearby, a humble farmer, Thomas, was tending his fields. He often hummed tuneless melodies as his young children played. He overheard the merchant's words and chuckled. Later, when the sun dipped low, he returned home to the joyful shrieks and giggles of his children. One little girl ran to him, babbling a nonsensical phrase. Thomas, his heart overflowing, knelt and held her close. He then reflected on the merchant’s words. The flute was lovely, yes, but the music of his children, the sweet chaos of their laughter and babble, was a symphony beyond compare. It was a melody that filled the soul.