Kural #924
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Tamil text
நாண்என்னும் நல்லாள் புறங்கொடுக்கும்
கள்என்னும் பேணாப் பெருங்குற்றத் தார்க்கு
Nāṇeṉṉum nallāḷ puṟaṅkoṭukkum
Kaḷeṉṉum pēṇāp peruṅkuṟṟat tārkku
English translation
The noble lady called Modesty will turn her back on those who embrace the great fault called liquor.
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Explanation
Thiruvalluvar personifies நாண் (modesty/shame) as a noble lady who abandons (புறங்கொடுக்கும் - turns her back on) those who embrace alcohol. The great fault (பெருங்குற்றம்) drives away virtue.
விளக்கம்
கள் குடிக்கும் பழக்கம் உள்ளவர்களை நாணம் என்னும் நல்ல குணம் விட்டு விலகிவிடும். கள் குடிப்பது பெரிய குற்றம்; இதனால் நல்லொழுக்கம் போய்விடும். கள்ளுண்ணாமை அதிகாரத்தின்படி, இது ஒழுக்கத்தை காக்க வேண்டும் என்பதை காட்டுகிறது.
Word meanings
- நாண்nāṇmodesty/shame
- என்னும்eṉṉumcalled
- நல்லாள்nallāḷnoble lady
- புறங்கொடுக்கும்puṟaṅkoṭukkumwill turn back on
- கள்kaḷliquor
- பேணாpēṇācherishing/embracing
- பெரும்perumgreat
- குற்றம்kuṟṟamfault
- தார்க்குtārkkufor those
Story behind this kural
In a small village nestled beside a whispering river, lived a woodcutter named Arul. He was known for his honesty and the twinkle in his eye. His wife, Meena, was the embodiment of grace, always kind and composed. Their home was filled with laughter and the sweet scent of jasmine. One day, Arul began to frequent the tavern. At first, he’d return with rosy cheeks and jovial tales. But soon, his laughter turned to boisterous shouts, his eyes clouded, and his words slurred. He began to neglect his work and his promises. Meena, her face etched with sorrow, tried to speak to him, but her words fell on deaf ears. She watched as her husband, once a pillar of strength, stumbled and lost his way. The sweet scent of jasmine in their home was replaced by the bitter smell of the tavern. Eventually, Meena, with a heavy heart, retreated to her garden, her presence no longer felt within their home. The villagers, once admiring, now averted their gaze when Arul passed.