Sage Thiru-valluvar
"The Bard of Universal Man"
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Chapter - 27 : Penance
 

Introductory Note

If the Tamil word is equivalence of ‘tapa’ in Sanskrit, then penance and penitence may not be the correct translations. ‘Tapa’ is not done as an apology or atonement like penitence.

Translation(s)

To bear due penitential pains, while he causes no offence to others, is a type of ‘penitence.’

 

Translation(s)

To sincere ‘penitents,’ their penitence is advantageous.  If that is not the case, it is but vain pretence.

Explanation

Vain means conceited, characteristic of false pride, unproductive of success.

Translation(s)

Have those men forgotten ‘penitence’ who strive to earn the penitents the things by which they live?

Explanation

Poet is saying the men who provide food and other things to penitents, partake in their penitence.

Rev. G.U. Pope, himself a Christian ascetic gives the following detailing: “The householder, though he performs no penance himself, is not unmindful of it; since he supplies to the penitents the means by which they live to perform their penitential acts; and so he shares in the reward and merit of those acts.”

Compare this couplet with Ch. 5, especially with couplets 41 & 46.

Dr. Graul had translated Thiru-kural into German.

Translation(s)

The ‘penitent’ can cause destruction to his foe and increase joy to for friends, if he employs his thoughts to this.

Explanation

This is common sense but can refer to the special powers that penitents gain due to their penance.

Translation(s)

Works of painful ‘penance’ are done by men on earth so that what they wish and as they wish may be won.

Explanation

Jesus Christ also performed penance in wilderness. His fast lasted 40 days and 40 nights. The devil came a few times to tempt him but he refused to be tempted. In the end, angels came and gave nourishment to Jesus. He gained enlightenment. The account is in Bible at Matthew 4:1-11, Mark 1:12-13, and Luke 4:1-13. Thus Jesus gained divinity or enlightenment. The adjacent picture depicts Jesus in the wilderness.

Translation(s)

Those who do works of ‘penance,’ attain their end. Others ensnared in passion’s net, toil but in vain.

Explanation

Obviously, reference is release thru penance.

Compare with Naladiyar, a later Tamil composition:

“As when lamp enters darkness flies, so sin stands not
Before man’s penitence. As when in lamp the oil
Wastes, the darkness rushes in, so evil takes its place
Where deeds of virtue cease.”
- Naladiyar, 51

The adjacent picture depicts angels giving nourishment to Jesus at end of his Penance.

Translation(s)

The hotter glows the refining fire, the brighter shines the gold. The pain of penitence, like fire, refines the soul of man.

Explanation

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” – Jesus Christ, The Beatitudes, Matthew 5.4, The Bible [3]. Painful events cause us to mourn, and this Kural says we should forbear pain.

The Buddha also practiced very severe austerities (penance) before his enlightenment.

Translation(s)

Every living soul worships him who gains himself in utter self-control.

Explanation

Compare with M. Arnold

“We see all sights from pole to pole,
And glance, and rush, and bustle by,
And never once posses our soul,
Before we die.”

Translation(s)

If his soul obtains the power won by penance, he may gain victory even over death.

 

Translation(s)

Many lack all things. The cause for this is plain: There are few ‘penitents’ and the many (who lack) shun such pain.

 

Summary Note

The poet has deep belief in the power of penance. The penitence must be done sincerely while not harming others. Such penitence gives many powers like destroying foes by thinking of it, achieving what one wishes, victory over death, and finally release. If enough people do penance on earth, there would be no want and all people the penitent.

Sunrise in Kanyakumari (India) with Thiruvalluvar Statue in Foreground.
Witnessing the Sunrise at this Southernmost Tip of India is an Attraction
Credit: Indian~man, Flickr

References