Kural #9
Last reviewed:
Tamil text
கோளில் பொறியின் குணமிலவே
எண்குணத்தான் தாளை வணங்காத் தலை
Kōḷil poṟiyiṉ kuṇamilavē
Eṇkuṇattāṉ tāḷai vaṇaṅkāt talai
English translation
The head that does not bow to the feet of the Eight-Virtued One is as useless as sense organs that cannot perceive.
Listen
Explanation
What use are eyes that cannot see, or ears that cannot hear? Similarly, a head (symbolizing intellect and ego) that does not bow before God is worthless. The eight qualities traditionally include: self-existence, purity, intuitive wisdom, infinite knowledge, freedom from bonds, infinite grace, omnipotence, and infinite bliss.
விளக்கம்
எட்டு குணங்கள் கொண்ட கடவுளின் தாளை வணங்காத தலை, பயனற்றது. புலன்கள் சரியாக வேலை செய்யாவிட்டால் என்ன பயன்? கடவுளை வணங்கி பணிவுடன் இருக்க வேண்டும் என்பதே அறம்.
Word meanings
- கோளில்kōḷilwithout function/grasping
- பொறியின்poṟiyiṉlike the senses
- குணம்kuṇamquality/use
- இலவேilavēare without (emphatic)
- எண்eṇeight
- குணத்தான்kuṇattāṉHe who possesses qualities
- தாளைtāḷaifeet (accusative)
- வணங்காvaṇaṅkādoes not bow/worship
- தலைtalaihead
Story behind this kural
In a village nestled beside a whispering forest, lived two woodcutters, Arun and Bala. Arun, strong and proud, felled trees with brute force, his axe a blur of motion. He boasted of his skill, sneering at the smaller trees. Bala, however, always paused before swinging, offering a silent reverence to the forest's ancient spirit. He’d carefully choose the weakest trees, thanking them for their sacrifice. One harsh winter, a blizzard buried the village. Arun, confident in his strength, ventured deep, seeking the largest trees. His axe broke, the wind howled, and he was lost for days, his pride offering no warmth. Bala, remembering the forest's subtle cues, found shelter near a small grove. He gathered fallen branches, keeping his fire alive. When the storm passed, Bala, guided by the sun, led the villagers to safety. Arun, humbled and weakened, followed.