Kural #903
Last reviewed:
Tamil text
இல்லாள்கண் தாழ்ந்த இயல்பின்மை
எஞ்ஞான்றும் நல்லாருள் நாணுத் தரும்
Illāḷkaṇ tāḻnta iyalpiṉmai
Eññāṉṟum nallāruḷ nāṇut tarum
English translation
The lack of dignity shown by excessive submission to one's wife will always cause shame among the good.
Listen
Explanation
A man who loses his natural dignity (இயல்பு இன்மை) by excessive subservience to his wife will face permanent shame among virtuous people. Such behavior degrades one's standing.
விளக்கம்
மனைவிக்கு அளவுக்கு மீறி அடிபணிந்து நடப்பது ஆணுக்கு இயல்பான குணம் ஆகாது. இப்படிப்பட்ட தாழ்வு, நல்லவர்கள் நடுவில் அவமானத்தைத் தரும். "பெண்வழிச் சேறல்" அதிகாரத்தில் இது அடக்கம். இது ஒருவரின் மதிப்பைக் குறைக்கும்.
Word meanings
- இல்லாள்illāḷwife
- கண்kaṇtowards
- தாழ்ந்தtāḻntalowered/submitted
- இயல்புiyalpudignity/nature
- இன்மைiṉmailack of
- எஞ்ஞான்றும்eññāṉṟumalways
- நல்லார்nallārthe good
- உள்uḷamong
- நாணுnāṇushame
- தரும்tarumwill give
Story behind this kural
In a quiet village nestled beside a shimmering river, lived a farmer named Arul. He was known for his bountiful harvests, but also for his wife's strong will. Arul, though a kind man, always yielded to her every whim. If she desired a new shawl, he would sell his finest crops. If she wished to avoid a task, he would complete it himself, even if it was beyond his strength. One day, a wise traveler arrived in the village. He observed Arul's behavior and the villagers' subtle amusement. When Arul boasted of his wife's happiness, the traveler simply smiled. Later, at the village well, the traveler encountered other farmers. They spoke of Arul's good nature, but also of the way he seemed to diminish himself. They whispered that a man's true worth lay in his own conduct, not solely in pleasing another. Soon, even his own children began to disregard their father's wishes. The traveler simply nodded and continued on his journey.