Sage Thiru-valluvar
"The Bard of Universal Man"
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Chapter - 28 : Inconsistent Conduct
 

Introductory Note

This chapter is about ascetics whose conduct is inconsistent with asceticism they have adopted as a way of life. In other words, it is includes sages, saints, monks, priests; who are hypocrites or occasionally outright evil.In the days of Thiru-valluvar also there were vile people who were posing as saints or renounces. How can we recognize them?

Translation(s)

One who walks ways of covert sin with deceitful mind; the five-fold elements which compose him, deride him within.

Explanation

The Sanskrit Tarka Sangraha (Ballantyne), p. 3, gives nine categories: ‘earth water, light, air, ether, time, place, soul and mind.’ One idea contained in this verse is that we should be true to our internal elements - i.e. our own conscious, which is expressed below also:

"Real integrity is doing the right thing, knowing that nobody's going to know whether you did it or not."
- Oprah Winfrey (1954 - )

Translation(s)

Though the semblance of virtue exalts his fame as high as heaven; what is the gain, if his heart dies down through sense of self-detected fault?

Explanation

A person may earn great fame from look-alike of virtue. But such fame is of little value because the person is aware that he has faults and thus his heart is burdened. Reminds of the English poet: To true to thy own self…

The Pope in Vatican, regarded as the head of Christians, is obviously famous as well as revered throughout the world. However, in the long history of 2000 years, there have been a few occupants who were exceptions. For example,---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------. In fact, today he is infamous, not famous. To read report, click here. The faults would have been “self-detected” for him; as everyone has a conscience, howsoever, small its voice.

Similarly, there have been reports against Christian priests in the USA for sexually exploiting young people. To read one report, click here.

I owe an apology to Christians here. It is easy to cite examples from their religion as it has well documented & publicly available history. Given the human nature to err, other religions would also have had hypocrite and evil ascetics.

Translation(s)

The show of virtuous might when weakness lurks inside is as if the steer (castrated male cow) should graze wrapped around with tiger’s skin.

Explanation

Poet’s language is graphic and forcefully conveys ideas: He contrasts the tiger with a castrated male cow and says that same is the difference between an ascetic who pretends to one and another who really is.“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.” – Jesus Christ, Sermon on the Mount, Mathew 7.15, The Bible [3].

Translation(s)

When one, clad in stern ascetic’s garb, secretly works evil; it is like a bird-catcher, who lurks in thicket to snare silly birds.

Explanation

In Thiru-valluvar’s  times also there were people who pretended to be ascetics but actually cheated the trusting population. Today also there are such people big and small, in India and outside. See indexed pics 178.

Translation(s)

If those who practice evil secretly say “Our souls are free;” then those overwhelmed by many shames will cry out “What mistake have we done?”

Explanation

Poet says that there is no difference those who practice evil secretly but are yet to be exposed and those whose evil practice is already exposed.

Translation(s)

No men are found of more “harder eye” than those who guilefully live renouncing every tie in speech but not in mind.

Explanation

Guile means craftiness - shrewdness as demonstrated by being skilled in deception – and trickery - the use of tricks to deceive someone usually to extract money from them.

Translation(s)

Outward they shine like the bright red of ‘kunri’ berry but inward are as black as night like the tip of ‘kunri’s’ bead.

Explanation

“Kunri” is the small and attractive looking bean of plant Abrus precatorius. It is known as ‘gunja’ in Sanskrit, and ‘ratti’ in Hindi. It is also identified as Jequirity or Rosary Pea or Indian Liquorice in English. One bean is sufficient to kill an adult human being, if broken and consumed. Unbroken or raw bean does not kill as it has a hard coating. Pictures indexed from 165-177.

How can an ascetic deceptively look helpful but really turn out like killer poison? Take for example the case of a lady recently arrested by police in Bangalore, India. It was reported that she murdered six women for stealing their jewelry. To read the report click here.

Translation(s)

Many wash in holy waters living lives of hidden shame; foul in heart, yet held high by men in virtuous fame.

Explanation

In India certain rivers and lakes were and still are regarded as holy. Today Ganga is the holiest river in India. The Pushkar Lake near Ajmer, Rajasthan is also one of the holiest.  In southern India, -----, is considered one of the holiest. People take bath in these holy waters as that is believed to wash away our sins. In Rig Vedic days, Saraswati River was holy.

Translation(s)

The straight arrow is cruel, the crooked lute is sweet. The men of many forms you meet, judge them by their deeds.

Explanation

We should not go by looks of a person.

The crooked but sweet musical instrument mentioned in this couplet is ‘yal.’ The term refers to musical instruments using vibrating strings. Several types of ‘yal’ are mentioned in ‘Sangam literature.  Subsequently either the word or the instrument became extinct. There are interesting articles at these links:

Unchanging Musical Tradition - by Nanditha Krishnan

at

http://www.newindpress.com/sunday/colItems.asp?ID=SEC20011208084416


Some New Light on Stringed Instruments of the Ancient Tamil Country - by Dr.  Gift Siromoney at


http://www.cmi.ac.in/gift/Music/musi_newlight.htm

Pictures at 179-181

"Judge not according to the appearance."
- Bible, John vii. 24.

"The tree is known by his fruit."
- Bible, Matthew xii. 33. How do we recognize true saints from false ones? This Kural says weigh by behaviour and not by words; and Kural 272 said that false ones are exposed by their deceit.

Here are the guidelines Jesus gave for recognizing “false prophets”:

"Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them."– Jesus Christ, Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 7.15-20, The Bible [3]. This passage is called ‘A Tree and Its Fruit.’

Translation(s)

If you shun what the entire world condemns as wrong, then what is the use of shaven head or long tresses?

Explanation

Amongst Shaivas the Pandarams shave the head while Tambirans allow the hair to grow. The yogis also allow the hairs to grow.

Summary Note

This chapter is on false ascetics & false asceticism. Its simple moral & ethical message touches the heart. False asceticism is of no use we know the truth in our mind which will kill our heart.  All the same there are many false ascetics. Thiru-valluvar ends by saying that there is no use of the paraphernalia of asceticism if you shun what is wrong.

Rev G.U. Pope points out that Thiru-valluvar’s idea as to standard of moral excellence is similar to that of Aristotle, who speaks of it as determined by a standard according as the thoughtful man would determine. The thoughtful man is stands as the representative of the absolute reason of man, manifested in individual consciousness. (Pope, p. 237).

There are some interesting notes which I am not able to understand.

[Compare couplets 140, 280, Ch. 43]

Sunset in Kanyakumari (India) with Thiruvalluvar Statue in Foreground.
Credit: Vani_nori, Flickr

References