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Kural #73

Virtue· அறம்The Possession of Love· அன்புடைமை

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Tamil text

அன்போடு இயைந்த வழக்கென்ப

ஆருயிர்க்கு என்போடு இயைந்த தொடர்பு

Aṉpōṭu iyainta vaḻakkeṉpa

Āruyirkku eṉpōṭu iyainta toṭarpu

English translation

The connection of the body with the precious soul is said to be the result of love.

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Explanation

Thiruvalluvar presents a profound philosophical insight: the soul dwells in the body because of love. Love is the binding force that keeps the soul connected to the physical form. This suggests that love is not merely an emotion but a cosmic principle that sustains life itself.

விளக்கம்

அன்புடைமை அதிகாரத்தில் வரும் இக்குறள், உயிருக்கும் உடம்பிற்கும் உள்ள தொடர்பே அன்பினால் ஆனது என்கிறது. அன்புதான் உடலை உயிரோடு வைத்திருக்கும் சக்தி. அன்பு இல்லாவிட்டால், உயிர் உடலை விட்டுப் போய்விடும். அன்போடு இரு!

Word meanings

  • அன்போடுaṉpōṭuwith love
  • இயைந்தiyaintaunited/joined
  • வழக்குvaḻakkucustom/nature
  • என்பeṉpathey say
  • ஆர்ārprecious/noble
  • உயிர்க்குuyirkkufor the soul
  • என்போடுeṉpōṭuwith the body/bones
  • இயைந்தiyaintajoined/connected
  • தொடர்புtoṭarpuconnection/relationship

Story behind this kural

In a small village nestled beside a whispering forest, lived a woodcutter named Tharan. He was known for his strength, but also for his gruffness. One harsh winter, a beautiful, delicate bird with a broken wing fell near his cottage. The other villagers, fearing his temper, left it alone. Tharan, however, felt a strange pull. He gently scooped up the bird, brought it inside, and carefully mended its wing. He fed it seeds and spoke to it softly. The villagers were astonished. Days turned into weeks, and Tharan, once so solitary, found himself smiling and humming as he cared for the bird. When spring arrived, the bird, healed and strong, fluttered to the open window, chirping a sweet melody before flying away. Tharan felt a pang of sadness, yet his heart felt lighter than it had in years. He realized the world, and even himself, felt new and full of life.