Sage Thiru-valluvar
"The Bard of Universal Man"
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Chapter - 38 : Fate
 

Introductory Note

Section-4 on ‘Fate’ begins here. It has only one chapter, viz. this one.

Translation(s)

Wealth giving fate brings power of unflinching effort. From fate that takes away, springs idle remissness (carelessness).

 

Translation(s)

The fate that ordains loss makes wise men’s wisdom turn foolish. The fate that bestows gain will bless wisdom with ampler powers.

 

Translation(s)

Though a man be well versed in subtle learning manifold; the wisdom truly his, will gain supremacy.

“Although he have obtained various and profound learning, his natural disposition will overcome his knowledge.”
- rendering by F.W. Ellis

Explanation

Poet’s theory is that ‘our natural dispositions’ are a result of deeds done by us in our previous lives.

Naladiyar, a later Tamil composition, expands:

“Not ignorant are they; but, though what man should know
They know, yet deeds that bring guilt to their souls they do. –
Lord of the wide sea’s pleasant shore, where breezes breathe
The lily’s fragrance round! – This comes from former deeds.
- Naladiyar, 108 (Infatuation, result of deeds in a former birth)

Translation(s)

The fashion of the world is two-fold: some live in fortune’s light, while some others have souls bright with wisdom’s bright radiance.

 

Translation(s)

All things that appear good will often have ill success; all evil things prove good for gain of happiness.

Explanation

Check translation

Translation(s)

Things not your own will yield no good; however, you guard them with pain. Your own, however, you scatter them abroad, will remain yours.

Explanation

Poet is referring to the Law of Karma. Naladiyar has a related verse on Karma:

“Though you send forth the tender calf midst many cows,
It hath unerring skill its mother to find out;
Deeds of old days have even so the power to search
Him out to whom their fruit pertains.”
- Naladiyar, 101

The Law of Karma is that human beings have no option but to bear the results of their past deeds. The results can be either pleasant or unpleasant, depend on whether the deed was virtuous or evil.

[See Hitop. Intro. 28, 29

Translation(s)

Save as ‘sharer’ shares to each in due degree; those who store millions, enjoyment can be scarce.

“Those who have accumulated millions can enjoy nothing but what the apportioner has apportioned to them.”
- rendering by F.W. Ellis

Explanation

Fr. Beschi, the translator into Latin, points out: “This idea of the Personal Apportioner – Judge, Administrator of the World, - ‘Who by His Providence governs all things,’ is to be noted.”

Rev. G.U. Pope, the translator into English, agrees with this view: “this couplet changes the whole aspect of this chapter” (Pope, p. 249). They find here a clear similarity with the Christian belief in single God.

Translation(s)

The destitute may share merit with ascetics if fate would spare to visit with predestined ills.

Explanation

Poet perhaps means that destitute also like a life of privation like the ascetic. He can get the same merit as the ascetic, provided fate does not visit ills on the destitute.“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” – Jesus Christ, The Beatitudes, Matthew 5.3, The Bible [3]

In the above Beatitude, Jesus suggests that being poor is better than being rich. Valluvar also implies that this is the law of nature. In this Kural he says destitute tend to choose honor over life. In Kural 374 he says people who have material wealth rarely have wisdom. Further, in Kural 375 he suggests that advantages (virtues) turn into disadvantages when trying to earn wealth.

Translation(s)

When good things come, men view them as gain. When evils come, why then should they complain?

Explanation

One poem has been circulating on this on internet. Also the line: Why me god?

Translation(s)

What powers are so great as those of Destiny?  Man’s skill may contrive something, but fate is still beforehand.

Explanation

Se Hitop. Intro. 33

Summary Note

End of Part-1 on Virtue

Two Buddhist Monks Closly Seeing Thiruvalluvar Statue
School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), London, UK
Credit: Flying Sorcerer, Flickr

References