Kural #907
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Tamil text
பெண்ணேவல் செய்தொழுகும் ஆண்மையின்
நாணுடைப் பேணார்வழி நாணும் இல்
Peṇṇēval ceytōḻukum āṇmaiyiṉ
Nāṇuṭaip pēṇārvāḻi nāṇum il
English translation
There is no greater disgrace for those who value honor than the so-called manliness of serving a woman's commands.
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Explanation
For those who cherish dignity (நாண் உடை), nothing is more shameful than a man who lives by obeying his wife's every command. Such servitude destroys true manliness.
விளக்கம்
பெண்ணின் சொல்படி நடக்கும் ஆண்மை, நாணம் உள்ளவர்களுக்குப் பெரிய அவமானம். மனைவி சொல்வதைக் கேட்டு நடப்பது ஆண்மை ஆகாது. இது "பெண்வழிச் சேறல்" அதிகாரத்தில் வரும் குறள். சுயமரியாதையுடன் வாழ வேண்டும்.
Word meanings
- பெண்peṇwoman
- ஏவல்ēvalcommand/service
- செய்துceytudoing
- ஒழுகும்oḻukumbehaving
- ஆண்மைāṇmaimanliness
- இன்iṉthan
- நாண்nāṇshame/honor
- உடைuṭaihaving
- பேணார்pēṇārthose who cherish
- வழிvaḻifor
- நாணும்nāṇumshame
- இல்ilno/without
Story behind this kural
In the village of Eldoria, lived a once-proud huntsman named Borin. He was known for his skill and courage. But after marrying Elara, his wife, Borin changed. He abandoned his hunts, preferring to stay home, mending her clothes and fetching water. One day, the village elder announced a contest of strength. The winner would receive the coveted Golden Axe. Borin, once a favorite, hesitated. Elara forbade him, fearing injury. Across the square, a young man, previously scorned for his gentle nature, stepped forward. He competed with grace and skill, fueled by his own desire. He won the Golden Axe. The villagers whispered, "Borin, once a lion, now a house cat." Borin felt a pang of shame, realizing he had traded his own path for a life of ease dictated by another. He understood then that true strength lies not just in muscles, but in the courage to choose one's own destiny.