Sage Thiru-valluvar
"The Bard of Universal Man"
Click the links here to read Thirukural in
Hindi,
Arabic, French, Kannada, Konkani, Latin, Malayalam, Marathi, Russian

Chapter - 62 : Manly Effort
 

Introductory Note

Phrases used include ‘the work of a man,’ ‘the work which rules, exerts itself.’

Diligence is one of the Seven Holy Virtues in Christianity. It is a zealous and careful nature in one’s work, a decisive work ethic and is called “industria” in Latin. It is the opposite of sloth, one of the Seven Deadly Sins [2].

"The mighty oak tree was once a little nut that held its ground."

Translation(s)

In weak (moments) and desponding hour, don’t say ‘It is hard’; for strenuous effort gives the power to prevail.

Explanation

In desponding hours one should put in strenuous effort rather than complaint about the difficulty because former enables you to prevail.

Translation(s)

In action you should be aware of (effect) of defeat. The world leaves those who leave work incomplete.

Explanation

Rev. G.U. Pope: “The idea is, ‘Nothing succeeds like success’.”

"We must not promise what we ought not, lest we be called on to perform what we cannot."
- Abraham Lincoln

Translation(s)

In strenuous work does reside the power of helping others – a noble pride.

Explanation

“I attribute my success to this - I never gave or took any excuse.”
- Florence Nightingale, popularly 'The Lady with the Lamp', British Nurse and Humanitarian who reformed her profession, (1820-1910)

Translation(s)

Good intentions in men by whom no strenuous work is done, like battle-axe in hands of sexless (impotent) beings, is of no avail.

Explanation

The same simile of sexless being with a weapon is used in verse 727 also.

Translation(s)

One whose heart delights not in pleasure but who finds pleasure in action, he wipes away his kinsmen’s grief and stands as a pillar of their might.

 

Translation(s)

Effort brings sure increase of fortune; its absence brings to nothingness.

Explanation

There is no substitute for hard work.
- Thomas Edison

Translation(s)

The wise declare that in sluggishness is seen misfortune’s lurid form. Where man toils unslothful, she, of the lotus flower, is there.

Explanation

Misfortune is said to have a lurid form which means gloomily threatening or ghastly pale. It is brought by sluggishness. Unslothfulness is the opposite of sluggishness. It brings fortune. ‘She, of the lotus flower,’ is reference to the Hindu (and Jain?) Goddess of Wealth who is depicted seated on a lotus flower. Her name is “Lakshmi.’

Translation(s)

Not to do man’s work is foul disgrace to man but if unfavorable fate should ban (results) it is no reproach.

 

Translation(s)

Though divine fate should make your labors vain (i.e. no result comes out), effort made will gain the sure reward of its labor.

Explanation

Rev. G.U. Pope points out: ‘In this and the following couplet Tiruvalluvar strongly asserts that “man is master of his own fate.” This is hardly consistent with Chapter-38.’

"God doesn't require us to succeed; he only requires that you try."
- Mother Teresa of Calcutta, Albanian born Indian Missionary and Founder of the Order of the Missionaries of Charity. Nobel Prize for Peace in 1979 (1910-1997)

"I don't believe in failure. It is not failure if you enjoyed the process."
- Oprah Winfrey (1954 - )

Translation(s)

Those who strive with undismayed and unfaltering mind shall at length leave opposing fate behind.

Explanation

Thiru-valluvar is clear and unambiguous that striving overcomes fate! Though he has devoted one earlier Section – created to accommodate a single chapter on fate – his final conclusion is that fate can be overcome. Section 1.4 is on “Destiny.” It has only one chapter, Chapter-38 titled ‘Fate.’

"Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan 'press on' has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race."
- Calvin Coolidge

Question by a student: What should we do to become an A.P.J. Abdul Kalam?

Answer by Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam: Sweat, Sweat and Sweat. Sweat means hard work.

- Dr. Kalam, one of the architects of Indian nuclear program, was then the President of India. Student was Kedar Andharikar of Shri S.B. High School, Maharashtra (India). 12TH NATIONAL CHILDREN'S SCIENCE CONGRESS, GUWAHATI. 31-12-2004.

"It is not in the stars to hold our destiny, but in ourselves."
- William Shakespeare (1564-1616)

"Men at some time are masters of their fates:
The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars,
But in ourselves, that we are underlings."
- William Shakespeare (1564-1616), Julius Caesar I.ii.

"Clear your mind of cant."
- Samuel Johnson, 1783

Summary Note

Interestingly, even in the field of science, some of the greatest minds acknowledge that they won due to continuous and patient efforts:

“I think and think for months and years, ninety nine times, the conclusion is false. The hundredth time I am right.” – Albert Einstein [12]

“If I have ever made any valuable discoveries, it has been owing more to patient attention, than to any other talent.” – Isaac Newton [12]

"I never did anything by accident, nor did any of my inventions come by accident; they came by work. "
- Thomas Edison, American Inventor and Entrepreneur, (1847-1931)

View from West,
Thiruvalluvar Memorial (133 Feet, 7000 Tonnes), Kanyakumari, India
Credit: Sky hawk, Flickr

References