Kural #691
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Tamil text
அகலாது அணுகாது தீக்காய்வார் போல்க
இகல்வேந்தர்ச் சேர்ந்தொழுகு வார்
Akalātu aṇukātu tīkkāyvār pōlka
Ikalvēntarc cērntouḻuku vār
English translation
Those who serve powerful kings should be like those warming by fire - neither too far nor too close.
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Explanation
A brilliant metaphor opens this chapter: serving a king is like warming by fire (தீக்காய்வார்). Stay too close and get burned; stay too far and get no warmth. Maintain proper distance (அகலாது அணுகாது).
விளக்கம்
அரசனோடு பழகும் விதம் நெருப்பில் குளிர் காய்வது போல. அதிக நெருக்கமும் வேண்டாம், அதிக தூரமும் வேண்டாம். தகுந்த இடைவெளி வேண்டும். இது மன்னரைச் சேர்ந்தொழுகல் அதிகாரத்தின் கருத்து.
Word meanings
- அகலாதுakalātunot distancing
- அணுகாதுaṇukātunot approaching
- தீtīfire
- காய்வார்kāyvārthose who warm
- போல்கpōlkashould be like
- இகல்ikalpowerful/hostile
- வேந்தர்vēntarkings
- சேர்ந்துcērntujoining
- ஒழுகுவார்oḻukuvārthose who conduct themselves
Story behind this kural
In a village nestled near the king's castle, lived two woodcutters, Arun and Bala. Arun, eager to please, showered the king with gifts and compliments, always seeking his attention. Bala, cautious and reserved, rarely spoke to the king, preferring to work quietly. One harsh winter, the king announced a reward for the woodcutter who supplied the finest logs. Arun, confident of his favor, presented the king with a mountain of wood, expecting riches. Instead, the king, annoyed by Arun's constant presence, accused him of neglecting his duties. Arun was banished. Bala, meanwhile, delivered a modest pile of perfectly seasoned logs. The king, pleased by Bala's skill and respectful distance, rewarded him handsomely, recognizing his talent without feeling crowded. Bala, bowing respectfully, returned to his work, content.