Kural #852
Last reviewed:
Tamil text
பகல்கருதிப் பற்றா செயினும்
இகல்கருதி இன்னாசெய் யாமை தலை
Pakalkurutip paṟṟā ceyiṉum
Ikalkuruti iṉṉācey yāmai talai
English translation
Even if others harm you openly, it is best not to harm them back out of enmity.
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Explanation
Even when others deliberately cause harm (பகல் கருதி பற்றா செயினும்), the superior approach (தலை) is to not retaliate with harmful acts (இன்னா செய்யாமை) born of enmity (இகல் கருதி). Non-retaliation is nobler than revenge.
விளக்கம்
குறள் 852: பிறர் பகையாக தீங்கு செய்தாலும், பதிலுக்கு நாமும் தீங்கு செய்யாமல் இருப்பது நல்லது. 'இகல்' அதிகாரத்தில், பகைமை வளராமல் காப்பதே சிறந்த பண்பு. பழி வாங்குவதை விட, பொறுமையே உயர்ந்தது.
Word meanings
- பகல்pakalopenly/division
- கருதிkurutiintending
- பற்றாpaṟṟāhostile
- செயினும்ceyiṉumeven if done
- இகல்ikalenmity
- இன்னாiṉṉāharm
- செய்யாமைceyyāmainot doing
- தலைtalaibest/chief
Story behind this kural
In a small village nestled beside a whispering forest lived two farmers, Arun and Bala. Arun’s fields always yielded a bountiful harvest, while Bala struggled. Jealousy gnawed at Bala. One night, fueled by resentment, he snuck into Arun’s field and poisoned the well, hoping to ruin his crops. The next morning, Arun discovered the poisoned well. His heart ached, knowing the villagers and his family would suffer. He could have retaliated, perhaps by setting fire to Bala's barn. But instead, Arun quietly set about finding a new water source. He worked tirelessly, and soon, a new well provided fresh water for everyone, including Bala. When Bala saw Arun's generosity, shame washed over him. He confessed his wrongdoing. Arun, without a word of blame, simply helped Bala repair his own failing crops. From that day on, the two farmers worked side-by-side, their fields flourishing in harmony.