Guiding Light: The Timeless Wisdom of Thirukkural

  The Quote and Its Meaning Original Kural in Tamil: உடைத்தம் வலியறியா ரூக்கத்தி னூக்கி யிடைக்கண் முரிந்தார் பலர் Translation: There are many who, without knowing their ability, started with vigour and perished in between, knowing not, how to finish the task undertaken. Word by Word Meaning உடைத்தம் ( udaiththam ) - their own வலி ( vali ) - strength/ability அறியா ( ariya ) - not knowing ஊக்கத்தின் ( ookkaththin ) - by enthusiasm/vigour ஊக்கி ( ookki ) - driven இடைக்கண் ( idaikkann ) - in the middle முரிந்தார் ( murindhaar ) - perished பலர் ( palar ) - many Insights and Reflections This couplet from the Thirukkural emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and realistic self-assessment before undertaking any task. It warns against the pitfalls of overconfidence and blind enthusiasm, which can lead to failure when one's true capabilities are not aligned with the demands of the task. Example/Analogy Consider a novice climber who, filled with excitement and confidence, attemp...

வேண்டிய வேண்டியாங் கெய்தலாற் செய்தவ மீண்டு முயலப் படும் **Meaning:** "It is possible to fulfill one's needs according to one's wishes by employing efforts with austerity." ### Word by Word Meaning - **வேண்டிய** - Desired (வேண்டிய) - **வேண்டியாங்** - Desired manner (வேண்டியாங்கு) - **கெய்தலாற்** - By obtaining (எய்தலால்) - **செய்தவ** - Austerity (செய்தவம்) - **மீண்டு** - Again (மீண்டு) - **முயலப் படும்** - Can be attempted (முயலப்படும்) ### Insights and Reflections This Kural emphasizes the power of austerity in achieving one's desires. Austerity, in this context, refers to disciplined effort and self-control. The message here is clear: with dedicated effort and a disciplined approach, one can achieve their goals. The practice of austerity isn't about renouncing worldly life; rather, it is about bringing a focused, determined, and disciplined effort to whatever one seeks to achieve. ### Example/Analogy Think of a sculptor working on a block of marble. With each...

**அருமை யுடைத்தென் றசாவாமை வேண்டும்   பெருமை முயற்சி தரும்.** ### Meaning Respect (Fruits of labour) would be borne out of untiring efforts, avoiding the tendency to give up as unyielding. ### Word by Word Meaning - **அருமை** (Arumai) - Difficulty - **உடைத்து** (Udaithu) - Having - **என்று** (Endru) - As - **அசாவாமை** (Asaavamai) - Without faltering - **வேண்டும்** (Vendum) - Must be - **பெருமை** (Perumai) - Greatness - **முயற்சி** (Muyarchi) - Effort - **தரும்** (Tharum) - Will give ### Insights and Reflections Thiruvalluvar emphasizes the importance of relentless effort and determination in overcoming difficulties. The idea is that achieving respect and greatness is a product of consistent hard work and perseverance, even when the task seems arduous. ### Example/Analogy Imagine a sculptor working on a block of marble. Each strike of the chisel might seem insignificant, but over time, these efforts culminate in a magnificent statue. Similarly, persistent effort, despite challe...

## The Quote and Its Meaning **கண்ணோட்ட மென்னுங் கழிபெருங் காரிகை யுண்மையா னுண்டிவ் வுலகு**   "The world is existing on account of outlook having benign grace." ## Word by Word Meaning (Tamil and English) - **கண்ணோட்டம்** (Kaṇṇoṭṭam) - Outlook - **என்னும்** (Enṉum) - Called - **கழி** (Kaḻi) - Ruin - **பெரும்** (Perum) - Great - **காரிகை** (Kārigai) - Art - **உண்மையான்** (Uṇmaiyāṉ) - Truth - **உண்டு** (Uṇḍu) - Exists - **இவ்** (Iv) - This - **உலகு** (Ulaku) - World ## Insights and Reflections Thiruvalluvar emphasizes that the world's continuity and well-being are sustained by the presence of a kind and gracious outlook. It is this positive vision and benign perspective that prevent the world from descending into chaos. This idea highlights the power of compassion and kindness in maintaining harmony and stability in society. ## Example/Analogy Imagine a garden where each plant relies on the gentle touch of a gardener. If the gardener tends to the plants with care and affect...

## The Quote and Its Meaning **கேட்பினுங் கேளாத் தகையவே கேள்வியாற்   றோட்கப் படாத செவி.** **Translation:**   If not pierced by acute listening, ears may hear and yet remain deaf. ## Word by Word Meaning - **கேட்பினும்** (*kēṭpinuḷ*) - Even if heard - **கேளாத்** (*kēḷāt*) - Not truly understanding - **தகையவே** (*takaiyavē*) - Nature is such - **கேள்வியால்** (*kēḷviyāl*) - By listening - **தோட்கப்** (*tōṭkap*) - To be pierced - **படாத** (*paṭāta*) - Not affected - **செவி** (*sevi*) - Ear ## Insights and Reflections This Kural emphasizes the difference between mere hearing and deep, attentive listening. It suggests that true understanding requires more than just physical hearing; it necessitates active engagement and processing of what is heard. Without this engagement, the ears might as well be useless, as they do not contribute to true knowledge or comprehension. ## Example/Analogy Consider a student attending a lecture. If the student simply hears the lecture without...

  22 ஒப்புரவறிதல் (அறத்துப்பால்)  ஒத்த தறிவா னுயிர்வாழ்வான் மற்றையான்  செத்தாருள் வைக்கப் படும் (214) He who understands the duty of giving truly lives;  All others shall be counted among the dead. Word by Word Meaning (Tamil and English) ஒத்தது (Oththadhu) - That which is appropriate அறிவான் (Arivaan) - Knows உயிர் (Uyir) - Life வாழ்வான் (Vaazhvaan) - Lives மற்றையான் (Matriyanaan) - Others செத்தாருள் (Seththaarul) - Among the dead வைக்கப் படும் (Vaikkap padum) - Will be placed Insights and Reflections This couplet emphasizes the vital importance of altruism and benevolence in life. According to Thiruvalluvar, those who understand and practice the virtue of giving are truly alive, while those who do not are as good as dead. This teaching highlights that life is not merely about physical existence but also about contributing positively to the well-being of others. Example/Analogy Imagine a tree that bears fruits. A tree that provides shade and fruits to others is cons...