Kural #77
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Tamil text
என்பிலதனை வெயில்போலக் காயுமே
அன்பிலதனை அறம்
Eṉpilatanai veyilpōlak kāyumē
Aṉpilatanai aṟam
English translation
Just as the sun scorches a boneless creature, virtue will scorch those without love.
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Explanation
Thiruvalluvar uses a vivid analogy: creatures without bones (like worms) cannot survive in harsh sunlight. Similarly, those without love cannot withstand the demands of virtuous living. Love is the inner strength (like bones to the body) that enables one to practice virtue. Without love, moral living becomes unbearably difficult.
விளக்கம்
அன்பில்லாதவரை அறம் வருத்தும். எலும்பில்லாத புழுவை வெயில் வாட்டுவது போல, அன்பு இல்லாதவருக்கு தர்மம் செய்ய முடியாது. அன்புடைமை அதிகாரத்தில், அன்பே அறத்தின் அடிப்படை என்பதை வள்ளுவர் கூறுகிறார். அன்பு இருந்தால் அறம் எளிதாகும்.
Word meanings
- என்புeṉpubone
- இலதனைilatanaithat which is without
- வெயில்veyilsunlight
- போலpōlalike
- காயுமேkāyumēwill scorch/burn
- அன்புaṉpulove
- இலதனைilatanaithat which is without
- அறம்aṟamvirtue/dharma
Story behind this kural
In a small village nestled beside a whispering forest, lived two farmers, Arun and Bala. Arun was known for his rigid adherence to rules. He toiled tirelessly, his fields always perfectly weeded, his harvests abundant. Yet, his heart remained closed. He offered no help to neighbors, spoke harshly, and found fault in all. Bala, on the other hand, was kindness personified. Though his crops were sometimes less perfect, he shared his bounty freely. He comforted the grieving, helped the sick, and always had a warm smile. One year, a terrible drought struck. Arun's meticulously planned fields withered under the scorching sun. The lack of rain was devastating, and he had no reserves to help. He was alone, and his heart was heavy with his losses. Bala, despite his own hardships, shared his dwindling water with those most in need, including Arun. Though struggling, his generosity brought him solace. While Arun felt the sharp sting of his isolation, Bala found strength in his compassion, enduring the hardship with a lighter heart.