Sage Thiru-valluvar
"The Bard of Universal Man"
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Chapter - 66 : Purity in Action
 

Introductory Note

This chapter says that not only good words but pure actions are necessary.

Translation(s)

As earth bears with men who delve into her breast; to bear with scornful men is best of virtues.

Explanation

Patience shown by a strong man is forbearance, while that by a weak man is something else, as elaborated further in Naladiyar 65:

“The young man’s self-restraint is self-restraint. The gift
Of him who owns no store of wealth is gift indeed.
When a man has means and might to punish every fault,
If he forbears, call him the patient man.”

Translation(s)

Restrain yourself forever from action which yields no gain of glory and of good.

 

Translation(s)

Those who tell themselves that nobler things shall yet be won, they must shun all deeds that dim the light of glory.

 

Translation(s)

Though troubles press, they whose eyes view the ever durable vision, do no shameful deed.

Explanation

The use of Tamil word “katchi” used by Thiru-valluvar, with its various epithets must be studied. It is more than the ‘poet’s vision and faculty divine’. It is the intuitive knowledge of invisible things given to the pure alone. The Verse-102 of “Needhi Neri Vilakkam”, a later Tamil composition, beautifully illustrates this significant word as follows.

“Nought doubting, wav’ring not, sages explore till all grows clear
By reason’s aid; with eye of apprehension true op’d wide,
They sleep and see the vision clear. In that pure mystic light When waking life arrays itself, ‘tis being’s perfect gain.”

Rev G. U. Pope adds:

How far Thiru-valluvar and the gnomic bards of Southern India can be classed as votaries of any sect, or darsana, may be seen by an examination of the Sarva-darsana-sangraha by Professors Cowell and Gough. Especially the Arhata (or Jain) system, while presenting some analogies, is evidently very different from that of the author of the Kural.

Rev G U Pope says that the very complete edition of this exquisite work (Needi Neri Vilakkam), issued by H. Stoke., Esq., should be in hands of every Tamil student.

Translation(s)

Do nothing that soul repenting must deplore (later on). If you have sinned, it is well for you to sin no more.

Explanation

"If you have made mistakes, even serious ones, there is always another chance for you. What we call failure is not falling down, but staying down." - Mary Pickford, Actress

Translation(s)

Though you see her, who bore you, hungry; you should not do any deed that men of perfect soul have decreed as crime.

Explanation

"The superior man does not, even for the space of a single meal, act contrary to virtue."
- Confucius, Book 4, Chapter 5

Translation(s)

The sourest poverty of perfect soul is richer gain than the store of wealth guilt-laden souls obtain.

Explanation

Compare with Naladiyar 275.

"Better is a little with righteousness than great income with injustice." - Solomon, Bible, Proverbs 16:8

"For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?"
- Bible, Matthew xvi. 26.

Translation(s)

To those who hate reproofs (being censured or rebuked severely or angrily) and do forbidden things; what prosper now, shall bring anguish in after days.

 

Translation(s)

What is gained through tears shall go with tears; from the loss that good deeds entail, harvest of blessings grows.

Explanation

What is obtained by giving tears to others will be lost and we shall be tearful that time.

Translation(s)

He, who seeks to maintain wealth and safety in realm by wrong; pours water in a pot of un-burnt clay, to retain.

Explanation

Just like a pot of un-burnt clay cannot retain water poured in it, similarly wealth and safety acquired by wrong cannot be retained.

This is the Junction of Three Seas:
The Indian Ocean, The Arabian Sea, The Bay of Bengal.
Thiruvalluvar Memorial (133 Feet, 7000 Tonnes), Kanyakumari, India
Credit: Sundar_m77, Flickr

References