Kural #842
Last reviewed:
Tamil text
அறிவிலான் நெஞ்சுவந்து ஈதல்
பிறிதியாதும் இல்லை பெறுவான் தவம்
Aṟivilāṉ neñcuvantu ītal
Piṟitiyātum illai peṟuvāṉ tavam
English translation
When a fool gives with a willing heart, it is nothing but the receiver's good fortune.
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Explanation
If an ignorant person (அறிவிலான்) gives generously (நெஞ்சு வந்து ஈதல்), it is not the giver's virtue but the receiver's past merit (தவம்). The fool gives by chance, not wisdom; credit goes to the recipient's karma.
விளக்கம்
அறிவில்லாதவன் கொடுப்பது அவனது பெருந்தன்மை அல்ல. பெறுபவன் செய்த புண்ணியமே காரணம். 'புல்லறிவாண்மை' அதிகாரத்தில், அறிவில்லாதவரின் செயல்கள் பயனில்லாதவை என்பதை இது காட்டுகிறது. நல்வினை இருந்தால், யாருடைய உதவியும் கிடைக்கும்.
Word meanings
- அறிவிலான்aṟivilāṉone without wisdom
- நெஞ்சுneñcuheart
- வந்துvantuwillingly
- ஈதல்ītalgiving
- பிறிதுpiṟituother
- யாதும்yātumanything
- இல்லைillaiis not
- பெறுவான்peṟuvāṉthe receiver
- தவம்tavampenance/merit
Story behind this kural
In a small village nestled beside a whispering river, lived a wealthy but foolish merchant named Theron. He hoarded gold but understood little of its true value. One day, a traveling sage, thin and weary, begged at Theron’s door. Theron, in a moment of fleeting generosity, spurred by a whim, gave the sage a bag overflowing with coins. The villagers whispered, marveling at Theron’s sudden kindness. Soon, news spread, and many came seeking gifts. Theron, enjoying the attention, gave freely, often without thought. Meanwhile, the sage used the coins wisely. He fed the hungry, built a well for the thirsty, and taught the village children. The village flourished under his quiet guidance. The villagers, now prosperous, often spoke of their good fortune. They knew where their good fortune came from. Yet, as the years passed, Theron's wealth dwindled. His generosity, born of ignorance, had not brought him lasting happiness or respect.