Kural #970
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Tamil text
இளிவரின் வாழாத மானம் உடையார்
ஒளிதொழுது ஏத்தும் உலகு
Iḷivariṉ vāḻāta māṉam uṭaiyār
Oḷitoḻutu ēttum ulaku
English translation
The world worships the radiance of those who possess such honor that they will not live if disgraced.
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Explanation
This concluding kural declares that the world (உலகு) worships (தொழுது ஏத்தும்) the ஒளி (radiance/glory) of those with such honor (மானம் உடையார்) that they would not live (வாழாத) if disgraced (இளிவரின்).
விளக்கம்
மானமே பெரிதெனக் கருதுபவர், இழிவு வந்தால் உயிர் வாழமாட்டார். அத்தகையோரின் புகழை உலகம் வணங்கிப் போற்றும். மானம் காப்பதே வாழ்வின் பொருள் என்பது இக்குறளின் நீதி. இது மானம் அதிகாரத்தில் உள்ளது.
Word meanings
- இளிiḷidisgrace
- வரின்variṉif it comes
- வாழாதvāḻātanot living
- மானம்māṉamhonor
- உடையார்uṭaiyārthose who have
- ஒளிoḷiradiance/glory
- தொழுதுtoḻutuworshipping
- ஏத்தும்ēttumpraising
- உலகுulakuthe world
Story behind this kural
In a humble village nestled beside a whispering river, lived a potter named Kumar. He was renowned for his exquisite clay vessels, each piece a testament to his skill. One day, a wealthy merchant offered Kumar a vast sum for a single, flawless pot. The merchant, however, demanded Kumar add a secret ingredient, a mixture that would make the pot appear to hold endless riches. Kumar, though tempted by the wealth, refused. He knew the secret ingredient was a deception, a lie. The merchant, enraged, threatened to ruin Kumar’s reputation, spreading rumors of his incompetence. The villagers began to whisper, their eyes filled with doubt. Kumar’s business dwindled, and his home grew bare. Yet, Kumar continued to craft his pots, each one still perfect in its simplicity. He never wavered in his honesty. Eventually, a traveling sage, witnessing Kumar's unwavering integrity, praised his character to the villagers. Soon, people returned to Kumar's shop, valuing his true artistry. The merchant, his deceit exposed, was left with nothing.