Kural #904
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Tamil text
மனையாளை அஞ்சும் மறுமையி லாளன்
வினையாண்மை வீறெய்தல் இன்று
Maṉaiyāḷai añcum maṟumaiyi lāḷaṉ
Viṉaiyāṇmai vīṟeytal iṉṟu
English translation
A man who fears his wife and lacks concern for the afterlife cannot achieve glory in his undertakings.
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Explanation
One who fears his wife (மனையாளை அஞ்சும்) and ignores spiritual duties (மறுமை இல்லாளன்) will never achieve greatness in any endeavor. Fear and neglect of dharma prevent success.
விளக்கம்
மனைவியைக்கண்டு பயந்து, மறுமை பற்றி நினைக்காதவன் எந்த செயலிலும் வெற்றி பெற முடியாது. "பெண்வழிச் சேறல்" அதிகாரத்தில், இல்லறத்தில் மனைவிக்கு அளவுக்கு மீறி அடிபணிவது தவறு என்கிறது குறள். ஆண்மை குறைந்து, புகழ் கிடைக்காமல் போகும்.
Word meanings
- மனையாள்maṉaiyāḷwife
- அஞ்சும்añcumfearing
- மறுமைmaṟumaiafterlife/next world
- இல்லாளன்illāḷaṉone without
- வினைviṉaiaction/work
- ஆண்மைāṇmaivalor/manliness
- வீறுvīṟuglory
- எய்தல்eytalattaining
- இன்றுiṉṟuis not
Story behind this kural
In a village nestled beside a whispering river, lived a merchant named Arul. He was known for his shrewd trading, yet his wife, Selvi, held the true power in their home. Arul, fearing her sharp tongue, consulted her on every deal. One day, a wise traveler offered Arul a rare spice, promising great profit. But Selvi, mistrusting the traveler's clothes, forbade the purchase. Arul, though sensing opportunity, obeyed. The spice was later sold for a king's ransom by another merchant. Later, Arul considered investing in a new well to provide water for the dry season. He knew it was a community need. Selvi, however, desired a new silk sari. Arul, prioritizing her wishes, built a lavish garden instead. When the drought arrived, the village suffered. Arul's wealth dwindled, and his spirit with it. He never truly prospered.