Kural #69
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Tamil text
ஈன்ற பொழுதின் பெரிதுவக்கும்
தன்மகனைச் சான்றோன் எனக்கேட்ட தாய்
Īṉṟa poḻutiṉ perituvakkum
Taṉmakaṉaic cāṉṟōṉ eṉakkēṭṭa tāy
English translation
A mother who hears her son praised as a man of virtue rejoices more than she did at his birth.
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Explanation
This kural beautifully celebrates a mother's pride. The joy of childbirth (ஈன்ற பொழுதின் - at the time of giving birth) is immense, yet it is surpassed when a mother hears others call her son சான்றோன் (a man of virtue, a noble person). This emotional truth shows that a child's character development brings greater satisfaction than biological birth.
விளக்கம்
தன் மகன் சான்றோன் என்று பிறர் சொல்லக் கேட்ட தாய், அவனைப் பெற்றபோது அடைந்த மகிழ்ச்சியை விட அதிகமாக மகிழ்வாள். மக்கட்பேறு அதிகாரத்தில், பிள்ளைகளின் நற்பெயரே தாய்க்குப் பெரிய செல்வம் என்கிறது இக்குறள். ஒழுக்கமான பிள்ளைகளை உருவாக்குவதே அறம்.
Word meanings
- ஈன்றīṉṟagave birth
- பொழுதின்poḻutiṉthan at the time of
- பெரிதுperitugreatly
- உவக்கும்uvakkumwill rejoice
- தன்taṉher own
- மகனைmakaṉaison (accusative)
- சான்றோன்cāṉṟōṉvirtuous person/noble man
- எனeṉaas/that
- கேட்டkēṭṭawho heard
- தாய்tāymother
Story behind this kural
In a small village nestled beside a whispering forest, lived a woodcutter named Tharan and his wife, Elaki. They had toiled for years, and their greatest joy was their son, Arul. Arul was known for his kindness, always helping the elderly and sharing his meager meals with those less fortunate. One day, the King's advisor arrived, seeking a brave soul to venture into the haunted woods. Many men hid, fearing the unknown. But Arul, without hesitation, stepped forward. He returned days later, not with treasures, but with a tale of bringing peace to a grieving spirit trapped within the woods. When Elaki heard the villagers' praise for her son's bravery and compassion, her heart swelled. She remembered the day Arul was born, the joy she felt then. But this feeling, the pride in his good deeds, was a thousand times sweeter. It was a warmth that spread through her, a sunbeam in her soul, brighter than any birth. She knew then what true riches were.