Kural #80
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Tamil text
அன்பின் வழியது உயிர்நிலை
அஃதிலார்க்கு என்புதோல் போர்த்த உடம்பு
Aṉpiṉ vaḻiyatu uyirnilai
Aḵtilārkku eṉputōl pōrtta uṭampu
English translation
Where there is love, there is life; those without it have only a body of bone covered with skin.
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Explanation
This concluding kural of the chapter delivers a powerful truth: love is what makes life truly alive. Those who possess love have genuine life. But those without love are merely walking corpses - just bones wrapped in skin, going through the motions of existence without truly living. Love transforms biological existence into meaningful life.
விளக்கம்
அன்பே வாழ்வின் ஆதாரம். அன்பு இல்லாதவர் வெறும் எலும்பும் தோலுமான உடம்புதான். அன்புடைமை அதிகாரத்தில், அன்புதான் உயிரோட்டம் என்று வள்ளுவர் கூறுகிறார். அன்பு இருந்தால்தான் வாழ்க்கை அர்த்தமுள்ளதாக இருக்கும்.
Word meanings
- அன்பின்aṉpiṉof love/through love
- வழியதுvaḻiyatuis the way/path
- உயிர்uyirlife/soul
- நிலைnilaistate/existence
- அஃதுaḵtuthat (love)
- இலார்க்குilārkkufor those without
- என்புeṉpubone
- தோல்tōlskin
- போர்த்தpōrttacovered/wrapped
- உடம்புuṭampubody
Story behind this kural
In a village nestled beside a whispering forest, lived two brothers, Theron and Silas. Theron was known for his generous heart. He shared his harvest, helped those in need, and always offered a kind word. Silas, however, hoarded his wealth and kept to himself, suspicious of everyone. One harsh winter, the village faced starvation. Theron, despite having little left, welcomed the shivering villagers into his small home, sharing his dwindling food and offering warmth. Silas, barricaded in his house, watched from the window, unmoved by their suffering. When spring finally arrived, life returned to the village. Theron, though weakened, was surrounded by grateful neighbors, their laughter echoing through the air. Silas emerged from his house, gaunt and alone. He looked upon the lively village with envious eyes, but no one greeted him. He was a shell, a hollow echo in the vibrant symphony of life.