Kural #788
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Tamil text
உடுக்கை இழந்தவன் கைபோல
ஆங்கே இடுக்கண் களைவதாம் நட்பு
Uṭukkai iḻantavaṉ kaipōla
Āṅkē iṭukkaṇ kaḷaivatām naṭpu
English translation
True friendship is like the hand that immediately covers when one's garment slips - it removes distress instantly.
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Explanation
One of the most famous Thirukkural verses: friendship acts like the hand (கை) that instinctively (ஆங்கே - right there) covers when clothing (உடுக்கை) slips. True friends respond to trouble without hesitation.
விளக்கம்
உடை நழுவும்போது கை உடனே காப்பது போல், நண்பன் துன்பம் வந்ததும் உதவி செய்யணும். நட்பு அதிகாரத்தில் இது முக்கியம். கஷ்டத்தில் உடனடியா உதவுவதே உண்மையான நட்பு. இதுவே குறளின் நீதி.
Word meanings
- உடுக்கைuṭukkaigarment/clothing
- இழந்தவன்iḻantavaṉone who lost
- கைkaihand
- போலpōlalike
- ஆங்கேāṅkēright there/instantly
- இடுக்கண்iṭukkaṇdistress/trouble
- களைவதுkaḷaivaturemoving
- ஆம்āmis
- நட்புnaṭpufriendship
Story behind this kural
The potter, Arun, was known throughout the village for his beautiful clay vessels. One market day, a wealthy merchant, Bala, commissioned Arun to create a magnificent water jug. Arun worked tirelessly, pouring his heart into the piece. As he presented it, a clumsy child bumped into him, sending the jug crashing to the cobblestones. Bala’s face darkened with anger. Arun felt his heart sink. He feared the loss of the commission and Bala’s wrath. But before Bala could speak, a young boy, Ravi, Arun’s closest friend, stepped forward. Without hesitation, Ravi knelt, shielding Arun from Bala’s gaze and speaking calmly to the merchant. He offered to help clean up the mess and even offered to pay for a replacement. Seeing Ravi's genuine concern, Bala’s anger softened. He helped them gather the shards, and soon, the incident was forgotten. That evening, as they shared a meal, Arun knew he had a friend whose loyalty was as strong as the finest clay.