Guiding Light: The Timeless Wisdom of Thirukkural

  Quote and Its Meaning Tamil Version: கருமத்தால் நாணுதல் நாணுத் திருநுதல் நல்லவர் நாணுப் பிற. Translation: To be rueful of one's lowly action is known commonly as shame, while the expressions of a noble woman's face is called shyness. Word by Word Meaning கருமத்தால் நாணுதல் ( karumaththaal naanutal ) - Shame from one's actions கருமம் ( karumam ) - Action நாணுதல் ( naanutal ) - Shame நாணுத் திருநுதல் ( naanut thirunuthal ) - Shyness of a noble woman திரு ( thiru ) - Noble நுதல் ( nuthal ) - Forehead (expression) நல்லவர் ( nallavar ) - Noble people நாணுப் பிற ( naanuppira ) - Different types of shame Insights and Reflections The verse emphasizes the different manifestations of shame. On one hand, it speaks to the universal feeling of shame that arises from performing actions that are considered lowly or inappropriate. This type of shame is tied to one's conscience and societal norms. On the other hand, it highlights the innate shyness or modesty, particularly in ...

  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...

**Original Quote in Tamil:** அவையறியார் சொல்லன்மேற் கொள்பவர் சொல்லின் வகையறியார் வல்லதூஉ மில். ``` **Translation:** "Failing to assess an audience before venturing to speak is to be unaware of the way of words and remain ineffective." **Word by Word Meaning:** - **அவை அறியார்** - Those who do not understand the audience - **சொல்லல்** - Speaking - **மேற்கொள்பவர்** - Those who undertake - **சொல்லின்** - Of words - **வகை அறியார்** - Do not understand the type - **வல்லது** - Capability - **ஊஉம் இல்** - Does not have **Insights and Reflections:** This Kural emphasizes the importance of knowing one's audience before speaking. It points out that speaking without understanding the audience's background, mood, and context is ineffective and shows a lack of wisdom. It underscores the idea that communication should be tailored to the listener for it to be impactful. **Example/Analogy:** Imagine a doctor giving a detailed explanation of a complex medical procedure to a child. The...

  48 வலியறிதல் (பொருட்பால்) அமைந்தாங் கொழுகா னளவறியான் தன்னை வியந்தான் விரைந்து கெடும் (474) பதப்பிரிப்பு அமைந்து ஆங்கு ஒழுகான் அளவு அறியான் தன்னை வியந்தான் விரைந்து கெடும் மற்றவர்களோடு ஒத்து நடக்காமல், தன் வலிமையின் அளவையும் அறியாமல், தன்னை வியந்து மதித்துக் கொண்டிருப்பவன் விரைவில் கெடுவான். Translation How swiftly men who praise themselves perish, unappraised of their real measure, unable to live in peace with others. Word by Word Meaning அமைந்து (Amaindhu) - Calmly ஆங்கு (Aangu) - There ஒழுகான் (Ozhukaan) - One who behaves அளவு (Alavu) - Measure அறியான் (Ariyaan) - Does not know தன்னை (Thannai) - Himself வியந்தான் (Viyandhaan) - One who praises விரைந்து (Viraindhu) - Quickly கெடும் (Kedum) - Perishes Insights and Reflections This Kural emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and humility. Those who fail to understand their own strengths and weaknesses and instead indulge in self-praise will quickly face downfall. It underscores the value of interacting harmoniously with othe...

Quote and Its Meaning Kural 486: ஊக்க முடையா னொடுக்கம் பொருதகர் தாக்கற்குப் பேருந் தகைத்து The powerful man’s patient restraint is like the drawing back of the fighting ram before he strikes the stunning blow. Word by Word Meaning (Tamil and English) ஊக்கம் (Ookkum): Enthusiasm/energy உடையான் (Udaiaan): One who possesses ஒடுக்கம் (Odukkam): Restraint பொரு (Poru): Battle/fight தகர் (Thakar): Ram தாக்கற்குப் (Thaakkarkup): For striking பேர் (Per): Ram (animal) தகைத்து (Thakaithu): Withdrawing/drawing back Insights and Reflections In this verse, Thiruvalluvar emphasizes the importance of restraint even in those who are strong and capable. Just as a ram draws back to gather momentum before delivering a powerful blow, a wise and powerful individual exercises patience and strategic restraint before taking decisive action. This wisdom in timing ensures that when action is finally taken, it is most effective and impactful. Example/Analogy Consider a chess player who carefully contemplates each...