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Kural #67

Virtue· அறம்The Blessing of Children· மக்கட்பேறு

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Tamil text

தந்தை மகற்காற்றும் நன்றி

அவையத்து முந்தி இருப்பச் செயல்

Tantai makaṟkāṟṟum naṉṟi

Avaiyattu munti iruppac ceyal

English translation

The duty a father owes his son is to give him such an education that he may take a front seat among the learned.

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Explanation

Thiruvalluvar now shifts to parental responsibility. The greatest gift (நன்றி - here meaning duty/obligation) a father can give is education. The goal is not mere learning but excellence - to enable the child to sit முந்தி (in front, in the foremost place) in அவை (the assembly of scholars). This reflects the high value placed on learning in Tamil culture.

விளக்கம்

மக்கட்பேறு அதிகாரத்தில், தந்தை தன் மகனுக்குச் செய்யவேண்டிய கடமை இது. தன் மகன் கற்றறிந்தோர் சபையில் முதன்மையானவனாக இருக்கச் செய்ய வேண்டும். கல்வியே சிறந்த செல்வம்.

Word meanings

  • தந்தைtantaifather
  • மகற்குmakaṟkufor the son
  • ஆற்றும்āṟṟumthat can be done
  • நன்றிnaṉṟiduty/kindness/obligation
  • அவையத்துavaiyattuin the assembly (of scholars)
  • முந்திmuntiin front/foremost
  • இருப்பiruppato sit/be
  • செயல்ceyalto make/cause

Story behind this kural

In a small village nestled beside a whispering forest lived a woodcutter named Arul. He worked tirelessly, providing for his son, Kumar. Arul, though strong of arm, knew only the ways of the woods. He dreamed of a different life for Kumar, one filled with knowledge and respect. Instead of teaching Kumar to fell trees, Arul sent him to the village school. He sacrificed his own comforts, selling precious firewood to pay for Kumar's lessons. Kumar, in turn, dedicated himself to his studies, his eyes shining with a thirst for learning. Years passed. Kumar blossomed into a scholar, excelling in every subject. When the King announced a contest of wisdom, Kumar, with Arul’s blessings, entered. He stood before the court, not as a woodcutter's son, but as a man of intellect, his words weaving tales of logic and reason. The King, impressed, declared Kumar the winner, placing him at the head of his advisors. Arul watched, his heart swelling with pride, knowing he had given his son the greatest gift of all.