Sage Thiru-valluvar
"The Bard of Universal Man"
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Chapter - 37 : The Extirpation of Desire
 

Translation(s)

The wise declare, through all the ages, to all living things that from the seed of strong desire do spring the ceaseless round of birth.

 

Translation(s)

If you feel desire for and require freedom from changing birth; it will come, if you desire to escape, set free from all desire.

Explanation

Chk Translation

Translation(s)

Here (on earth) there is wealth glorious like freedom from desire. The soul, not even there (in next world after death) can aspire to bliss like this.

 

Translation(s)

Men know desire’s decease as purity; that too will grow from yearning search for truth.

 

Translation(s)

Men freed from bonds of strong desire are free; none other share such perfect liberty.

 

Translation(s)

Desire beguiles each soul; true virtue dreads its wiles.

 

Translation(s)

One, who thoroughly rids his life of passion-prompted deed, shall do deeds of unfailing virtue, which, as he plans succeed.

 

Translation(s)

Affliction is not known where no desire abides; where these are, endless rises sorrow’s tide.

 

Translation(s)

When desire, the woe of woes, dies; even here (on earth) the soul knows unceasing rapture.

 

Translation(s)

Drive away from your soul insatiate desire, straightway the moveless blissful state is gained.

 

Summary Note

End of Sub-section on ‘Wisdom.’

End of Section on ‘Ascetic Virtue'

This chapter asks us to banish our undue desires of all types and includes undue desire for property / wealth. Undue desire for property / wealth will naturally result in collecting property / wealth beyond one personal requirement and is called “aparigraha” in Sanskrit. Let us call it “non-possession” in English.

Non-possession is the last amongst the five “Self-Restraints (Yamas)” in Yoga, and also the last amongst the five “Lesser Vows (Anu Vratas)” in Jainism. [1], [9]. It is missing in the Five Precepts of Buddhism where it is replaced by advice to avoid psychotropic substances. (Interestingly today in the richer nations, substance abuse is a rising problem.)

Non-Possession (aparigraha) is different from ‘Coveting Others Wealth’, which is dealt in Chapter-18 of Thirukural. Non-Possesson means limiting our wealth to our needs – and this is more demanding than simply ‘not coveting others’ wealth’. The virtue of contribution / charity, covered in Chapter – 23 of Thirukural, has its roots in Non-Possession. Who will show charity? Obviously, the person who can part with his wealth – who desires to limits his wealth to his personal needs – will show charity."The five moral codes of conduct (yamas) are: non-violence, truthfulness, non-stealing / honesty, continence, lack of greed. These great disciplines are universally valid, beyond social position, location / place or (any particular) time..... When lack of greed is firmly established, the knowledge of the purpose of life is obtained." - Patanjali Yogasutra, Chapter II Practice (Sadhana), 2.30-39 [1]

“The Jaina layman renounces unlimited property and limits his desires.” The pentad of transgressions of this vow lists: “exceeding the limit set for land and houses, exceeding the limits set for gold and money (?), exceeding the limits set for money and grain, exceeding the limit set for bipeds (slaves) and quadrupeds, exceeding the limits set for metal utensils (vessels etc).” – Five Lesser Vows, Chapter-VI, Avashyaka Sutra [9].

Rosa and Billie in Lap of Thiruvalluvar
School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), London, UK
Credit: Bowbrick, Flickr

References