Kural #777
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Tamil text
சுழலும் இசைவேண்டி வேண்டா
உயிரார் கழல்யாப்புக் காரிகை நீர்த்து
Cuḻalum icaivēண்ṭi vēṇṭā
Uyirār kaḻalyāppuk kārikai nīrttu
English translation
The anklets tied on warriors who desire fame that spreads everywhere and care not for life have a unique beauty.
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Explanation
Warriors who seek சுழலும் இசை (fame that spreads in all directions) and do not cling to life wear their கழல் (warrior anklets) with special grace (காரிகை). Their readiness to die ennobles them.
விளக்கம்
வீரர்கள் புகழை விரும்பி, உயிரை மதிக்காமல் போரிடுவர். அவர்களின் காலில் கட்டிய வீரக்கழல் அழகு சேர்க்கும். "படைச் செருக்கு" அதிகாரத்தில், உயிரைவிட புகழே பெரிதென வள்ளுவர் கூறுகிறார். துணிவே வெற்றிக்கு வழி.
Word meanings
- சுழலும்cuḻalumspreading/revolving
- இசைicaifame
- வேண்டிvēṇṭidesiring
- வேண்டாvēṇṭānot desiring
- உயிர்uyirlife
- ஆர்ārthose who
- கழல்kaḻalwarrior anklet
- யாப்புyāpputying
- காரிகைkārikaibeauty/grace
- நீர்த்துnīrttunature/quality
Story behind this kural
In a small village nestled beside a vast, untamed forest, lived two brothers, Arun and Bala. Both were skilled hunters, but their hearts differed. Arun hunted for the thrill, boasting of his kills and hoarding his treasures. Bala, however, hunted to provide for his family, sharing his bounty with the village. One harsh winter, a monstrous wolf terrorized the village, stealing livestock and threatening lives. The villagers pleaded for help. Arun, eager for glory, donned his finest armor and, with a flourish, rode off to hunt the beast. Bala, though less adorned, quietly sharpened his spear, knowing the wolf’s threat must end. Days passed. Arun returned, empty-handed, his pride bruised. Soon after, Bala came back, weary but triumphant, the wolf’s pelt slung over his shoulder. He'd risked his life, not for praise, but to safeguard his people. He received no grand welcome, only the quiet gratitude of the villagers. Arun, watching the scene, felt a strange pang.