Kural #914
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Tamil text
பொருட்பொருளார் புன்னலந் தோயார்
அருட்பொருள் ஆய்ந்தறிவார் கண்
Poruṭporuḷār puṉṉalan tōyār
Aruṭporuḷ āyntaṟivār kaṇ
English translation
Those who have examined and understood the higher purpose will not touch the low pleasures of those who seek only money.
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Explanation
Those who comprehend life's noble purpose (அருள் பொருள் ஆய்ந்து அறிவார்) will not engage with the base pleasures (புன் நலம்) offered by mercenary women.
விளக்கம்
பொருள் தேடுபவர் தரும் இழிவான இன்பத்தை, உயர்ந்த அறம் அறிந்தவர் விரும்பார். வரைவின் மகளிர் அதிகாரத்தில், நிலையற்ற இன்பத்தை விட அறமே சிறந்தது என்கிறது இக்குறள். ஆழமான அறிவே சிறந்த வாழ்க்கை தரும்.
Word meanings
- பொருள்poruḷwealth
- பொருளார்poruḷārthose who seek wealth
- புன்puṉlow/base
- நலம்nalampleasure/beauty
- தோயார்tōyārwill not touch
- அருள்aruḷgrace/higher
- பொருள்poruḷpurpose/meaning
- ஆய்ந்துāyntuhaving examined
- அறிவார்aṟivārthose who know
- கண்kaṇamong
Story behind this kural
In a bustling village, lived two merchants, Kumar and Arul. Kumar, driven by the gleam of gold, frequented the silken tents of courtesans, their laughter a sweet melody to his ears. He spent lavishly, his wealth dwindling with each passing moon. Arul, however, sought a different kind of richness. He poured his time into learning from the village sage, seeking the wisdom that resided in the heart of compassion. He helped the poor, his kindness a beacon in the twilight. One year, a famine struck. Kumar, his coffers empty, was forced to sell his grand house for meager coin. Arul, though not wealthy, shared his stored grains and offered shelter to the needy. He found solace in his actions, his heart filled with a wealth that the famine could not touch. Kumar watched, humbled, as Arul’s generosity bloomed. He saw the true value of life.