Kural #912
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Tamil text
பயன்தூக்கிப் பண்புரைக்கும் பண்பிலார் சேரி
நயன்தூக்கி நள்ளா விடல்
Payaṉtūkkip paṇpuraikkum paṇpilār cēri
Nayaṉtūkki naḷḷā viṭal
English translation
Weigh the pleasure and reject intimacy with those characterless ones who speak of affection only after weighing the profit.
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Explanation
Courtesans calculate profit (பயன் தூக்கி) before expressing affection. Wise men should similarly calculate the outcome (நயன் தூக்கி) and avoid (நள்ளாது விடல்) these unprincipled women.
விளக்கம்
பொருள் ஒன்றையே குறிக்கோளாகக் கொண்டு, அன்பாகப் பேசுபவரின் நட்பு வேண்டாம். விலைமாதர்கள் பயன் கருதியே பழகுவர். அதனால், அவர்கள் சேர்க்கையை விட்டுவிடுதல் நன்று. இது வரைவின் மகளிர் அதிகாரத்தில் சொல்லப்பட்டுள்ளது.
Word meanings
- பயன்payaṉprofit/benefit
- தூக்கிtūkkiweighing
- பண்புpaṇpuaffection/quality
- உரைக்கும்uraikkumspeaking of
- பண்பிலார்paṇpilārthose without character
- சேரிcēricommunity/quarter
- நயன்nayaṉoutcome/pleasure
- நள்ளாnaḷḷānot intimate
- விடல்viṭalleave/abandon
Story behind this kural
In a bustling marketplace, a young merchant named Arul had earned a small fortune. Word of his wealth reached the ears of Maya, a woman known for her captivating charm. Maya showered Arul with compliments, praising his kindness and generosity. She spoke of sharing his life and fortune. Intrigued, Arul began to visit Maya often, showering her with gifts. His friends warned him, saying Maya’s affections seemed as fleeting as the desert wind. One day, a series of unfortunate events led Arul to lose most of his wealth. When he approached Maya, hoping for comfort, she turned away, her smile replaced with a frown. "I have no time for a man with empty pockets," she said. Arul, heartbroken, wandered the marketplace. He saw a wise old sage sitting under a banyan tree. The sage looked at Arul with knowing eyes and simply smiled, offering him a cup of water. Arul understood, realizing the true nature of those whose affection is tied to fortune.