Kural #943
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Tamil text
அற்றால் அளவறிந்து உண்க
அஃதுடம்பு பெற்றான் நெடிதுய்க்கும் ஆறு
Aṟṟāl aḷavaṟintu uṇka
Aḥtuṭampu peṟṟāṉ neṭituyykkum āṟu
English translation
Eat in moderation after digestion; this is the way to maintain long life in this body.
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Explanation
Two principles: அற்றால் (after digestion) and அளவு அறிந்து (knowing the right quantity). Following these ensures நெடிது உய்க்கும் (long life). Moderation is the key to longevity.
விளக்கம்
உண்ட உணவு செரித்த பின், அளவோடு உண்ண வேண்டும். இதுவே உடலைப் பேணி, நீண்ட நாள் வாழ வழி. "மருந்து" அதிகாரத்தில், அளவான உணவு உடல் நலத்திற்கு முக்கியம் என்கிறது குறள்.
Word meanings
- அற்றால்aṟṟālwhen digested
- அளவுaḷavumeasure/quantity
- அறிந்துaṟintuknowing
- உண்கuṇkaeat
- அஃதுaḥtuthat
- உடம்புuṭampubody
- பெற்றான்peṟṟāṉone who has
- நெடிதுneṭitulong
- உய்க்கும்uykkumwill sustain
- ஆறுāṟuway
Story behind this kural
In a village nestled beside a whispering forest, lived two farmers, Arun and Bala. Arun, known for his hearty appetite, ate until his belly strained. He’d gorge himself on feasts whenever he could, believing more food meant more strength. Bala, however, ate only when truly hungry, savoring each morsel and stopping before feeling overly full. One harsh winter, the villagers faced a famine. Food became scarce. Arun, despite his earlier abundance, found himself weakened, his body struggling to cope. He fell ill, his strength depleted. Bala, though eating sparingly, remained robust. He shared his meager portions, his energy sustained. He helped others through the difficult time. As spring arrived, bringing renewed life, Arun slowly recovered, humbled by his experience. He understood then why Bala had always thrived, even in lean times.