Kural #901
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Tamil text
மனைவிழைவார் மாண்பயன் எய்தார்
வினைவிழைவார் வேண்டாப் பொருளும் அது
Maṉaiviḻaivār māṇpayaṉ eytār
Viṉaiviḻaivār vēṇṭāp poruḷum atu
English translation
Those excessively attached to their wives will not attain noble achievements; for those who seek accomplishment, such attachment is unnecessary.
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Explanation
This chapter addresses excessive uxoriousness. Being overly subservient to one's wife prevents achieving greatness. Those focused on accomplishment (வினைவிழைவார்) recognize this attachment as an obstacle.
விளக்கம்
மனைவியை மட்டுமே நினைத்து வாழ்பவர் பெரிய நன்மை பெறமாட்டார். செயல் செய்வதில் ஆர்வமுள்ளவர்கள், இந்த மனைவியின் மேல் உள்ள அதிக ஆசையைத் தவிர்க்க வேண்டும். இது பெண்வழிச் சேறல் அதிகாரத்தில் சொல்லப்பட்டுள்ளது. கடமையைச் செய்வதே முக்கியம்.
Word meanings
- மனைmaṉaiwife/home
- விழைவார்viḻaivārthose who desire/are attached
- மாண்māṇnoble
- பயன்payaṉbenefit/achievement
- எய்தார்eytārwill not attain
- வினைviṉaiaction/work
- விழைவார்viḻaivārthose who seek
- வேண்டாvēṇṭāunnecessary
- பொருள்poruḷthing
- அதுatuthat
Story behind this kural
In a village nestled beside a whispering river, lived two farmers, Arun and Bala. Arun, devoted to his wife, sought her counsel in all things. If she desired a new ox, he’d sell his finest harvest to obtain it. If she disliked a neighbor, Arun would avoid them, even if it meant missing valuable trading opportunities. Bala, however, treated his wife with respect but prioritized his work. He’d listen to her, but ultimately made his own decisions about the farm. He focused on cultivating the land, expanding his fields, and learning new techniques. Years passed. Arun’s fields remained small, and his wealth stayed modest. He lived a comfortable life, but his ambitions withered. Bala’s farm flourished. His harvests overflowed, and he became known for his prosperity and wisdom in the village. Arun often visited Bala's farm, admiring the success and sometimes wondering about his own path.