Sage Thiru-valluvar
"The Bard of Universal Man"
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Chapter - 40 : Learning
 

Introductory Note

This chapter is about learning, learned men, their importance. It is not on the king or his officials becoming learned. It is placed in the section on ‘Royalty,’ perhaps because in those days, learned men had good following in the masses, were respected in courts of kings and were important to stable kingship.

Translation(s)

So learn that you may gain full and faultless learning, and then remain joined in obedience to lessons learnt.

 

Translation(s)

The wise declare that the two – the lore of numbers and lore of words - gives, are eyes to all that live on earth.

Explanation

In those days learning comprised of Math and Literature. Learning or education is likened to eyes to convey that it is the most important, if not the most essential, for people. Thiru-valluvar does not use the word royal people. He uses the Tamil word ------, meaning ‘people.’

Translation(s)

Men say that men who have gained learning have eyes. Blockhead’s faces display sores.

Explanation

The men who are not learned do indeed have two physical eyes but their eyes are like sores. So much is the importance of learning.

Translation(s)

You meet with joy and part with pleasant thoughts; such is the wondrous art of the learned scholar!

Explanation

A standard is here set for the knowledge & behavior of learned scholars. People should feel joy on meeting them and should have pleasant thoughts when leaving their company.

Translation(s)

Submitting their souls, learned men stand as paupers in front of a rich man’s face. Yet, the learned men are first and the unlearned stand in the lowest place.

 

Translation(s)

When you delve deep in sandy soil, you reach springs below. Similarly, the more you learn the freer streams of wisdom flow.

Explanation

"Wisdom is not a product of schooling but of the life-long attempt to acquire it."
- Albert Einstein (1879-1955)

Translation(s)

The learned make each land their own and find a home in every city. Those who do not learn till they die along what weary ways they roam!

Explanation

Many people think that by hoarding money they are gaining safety for themselves. if money is your ONLY hope for independence, you will never have it. The only real security that a person can have in this world is a reserve of knowledge, experience, and ability. Without these qualities, money is practically useless.
- Henry Ford

Translation(s)

The man, who gains a store of learning in one life, attains bliss through seven worlds.

Explanation

In later re-births also, the learning acquired in present birth will give bliss & happiness. The word ‘seven worlds’ is used in couplet 126 also.

Translation(s)

The learned see that the joy of all the world is their joy, thus the learners learn to love their cherished lore still more.

 

Translation(s)

Learning is the excellent wealth which no one can destroy. To men nothing else affords real joy.

 

Thiruvalluvar's Statue Displayed in
International Thirukkural Conference, 2005,
Held in Columbia, Maryland, USA
Credit: Thirukkural 2005 Conference, Flickr

References