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Kural #71

Virtue· அறம்The Possession of Love· அன்புடைமை

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Tamil text

அன்பிற்கும் உண்டோ அடைக்குந்தாழ்

ஆர்வலர் புன்கணீர் பூசல் தரும்

Aṉpiṟkum uṇṭō aṭaikkuntāḻ

Ārvalar puṉkaṇīr pūcal tarum

English translation

Can love be locked behind a door? The tears of sorrow shed for loved ones will proclaim it openly.

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Explanation

Thiruvalluvar beautifully conveys that true love cannot be concealed. When someone we love suffers, our tears involuntarily reveal our affection. Love, by its very nature, expresses itself through emotional responses like crying. This kural emphasizes the authentic, uncontrollable nature of genuine love.

விளக்கம்

அன்பை மறைக்க முடியாது. நம் அன்புக்குரியவர் துன்பப்பட்டால், கண்ணீர் தானாக வரும். இதுவே அன்புடைமையின் அடையாளம். உண்மையான அன்பு வெளிப்படும், மறைக்க முடியாது.

Word meanings

  • அன்பிற்கும்aṉpiṟkumeven for love
  • உண்டோuṇṭōis there?
  • அடைக்கும்aṭaikkumthat can shut/lock
  • தாழ்tāḻbolt/door-bar
  • ஆர்வலர்ārvalarloved ones/dear ones
  • புன்கண்puṉkaṇsorrow/distress
  • நீர்nīrwater/tears
  • பூசல்pūcalproclamation/outcry
  • தரும்tarumwill give/cause

Story behind this kural

In a small village nestled beside a whispering river, lived a potter named Arun. He was known for his sturdy pots, but more so for his quiet demeanor. Arun rarely spoke, keeping his emotions locked away. One day, a fierce storm ravaged the village, destroying homes and leaving many injured. Among the injured was Arun’s young daughter, Priya. Arun rushed to her side, his usually stoic face etched with worry. He tried to hide his fear, but as he held Priya's frail hand, a single tear escaped and traced a path down his weathered cheek. Others saw it, villagers who had never witnessed Arun's vulnerability. They saw his pain mirrored in their own hearts. As Priya recovered, Arun stayed by her side, his silent vigil a comfort. He no longer tried to conceal his feelings. The villagers, witnessing his devotion, understood something they hadn't before. They saw the depth of his love, revealed not by words, but by the undeniable language of the heart.