Kural #680
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Tamil text
உறைசிறியார் உள்நடுங்கல் அஞ்சிக்
குறைபெறின் கொள்வர் பெரியார்ப் பணிந்து
Uṟaicuṟiyār uḷnaṭuṅkal añcik
Kuṟaipeṟiṉ koḷvar periyārp paṇintu
English translation
Those with limited resources, fearing internal turmoil, will humbly submit to the great if they can get their needs fulfilled.
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Explanation
Those with few resources (உறை சிறியார்) who fear internal strife (உள்நடுங்கல்) will humble themselves (பணிந்து) before the powerful (பெரியார்) to get their needs met. Understanding human motivation aids strategy.
விளக்கம்
குறைந்த வசதியுள்ளோர் மன அமைதிக்காக பெரியோரிடம் பணிந்து உதவி பெறுவர். இது 'வினைசெயல்வகை' அதிகாரத்தில் வரும். தேவை அறிந்து பணிதல் வெற்றிக்கான வழி. பணிவு பலன் தரும்.
Word meanings
- உறைuṟairesources/means
- சிறியார்ciṟiyārthose with little
- உள்uḷwithin/internal
- நடுங்கல்naṭuṅkaltrembling/turmoil
- அஞ்சிañcifearing
- குறைkuṟaineeds/wants
- பெறின்peṟiṉif obtained
- கொள்வர்koḷvarwill accept
- பெரியார்periyārthe great ones
- பணிந்துpaṇintuhumbly submitting
Story behind this kural
In a small village nestled beside a vast kingdom, lived a humble potter named Kumar. His clay was plentiful, but his kiln was small, limiting his output. He struggled to feed his family. Across the river, the King’s potter crafted magnificent vessels in a grand kiln, employing many. One harsh winter, Kumar's family faced starvation. He knew the King’s potter had surplus grain. Though pride gnawed at him, Kumar swallowed it and went to the royal potter. He bowed low, explaining his plight, offering his skills in exchange for food. The royal potter, a stern man, initially scoffed. But seeing Kumar’s genuine desperation and recognizing his skill, he relented. He offered Kumar grain, and in return, Kumar helped with the arduous tasks of the royal kiln. Kumar's family survived the winter, and he learned a valuable lesson.