Kural #779
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Tamil text
இழைத்தது இகவாமைச் சாவாரை
யாரே பிழைத்தது ஒறுக்கிற் பவர்
Iḻaittatu ikavāmaic cāvārai
Yārē piḻaittatu oṟukkiṟ pavar
English translation
Who can punish those who die without abandoning their vow? What fault have they committed?
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Explanation
Warriors who die fulfilling their oath (இழைத்தது இகவாமை - not abandoning what they pledged) are beyond punishment or blame. Their death in honor absolves all.
விளக்கம்
இக்குறள் படைச் செருக்கு அதிகாரத்தில் உள்ளது. தாம் எடுத்த வீர சபதத்தை நிறைவேற்ற உயிர் துறப்பவர்களை யார் தண்டிக்க முடியும்? அவர்கள் எந்தத் தவறும் செய்யவில்லை. கடமையைச் செய்வதே உயர்ந்த அறம் என்பதை இது உணர்த்துகிறது.
Word meanings
- இழைத்ததுiḻaittatuwhat was undertaken/vowed
- இகவாமைikavāmainot abandoning
- சாவார்cāvārthose who die
- யாரேyārēwho indeed
- பிழைத்ததுpiḻaittatuthe fault
- ஒறுக்கிற்பவர்oṟukkiṟpavarthose who punish
Story behind this kural
In a village nestled beside a vast, untamed forest, lived a woodcutter named Arul. He was known for his unwavering word. One harsh winter, a wicked sorcerer demanded Arul's axe, threatening the village with eternal darkness if refused. Arul, however, had promised his ailing father he would fell a specific tree for firewood, to keep him warm. The villagers pleaded with Arul, fearing the sorcerer’s wrath. Yet, Arul, without hesitation, entered the forest, axe in hand. He felled the tree, fulfilling his promise to his father. The sorcerer, enraged, cast his darkest spell, but the village remained untouched. Arul, returning, was found lifeless beside the felled tree. The villagers, though saddened, felt no fear. They buried Arul with honor, knowing he had kept his word, even in death. The sorcerer's power, it seemed, held no sway over a promise kept.