Sage Thiru-valluvar
"The Bard of Universal Man"
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Chapter - 7 : The Obtaining of Sons
 

Introductory Note

The title is ‘procreation of sons,’ but some parts of the chapter refer to children in general.

Translation(s)

“Of all that men acquire, we know not of any greater gain,
Than that which by the birth of learned children men obtain”
- translation by Rev. G U Pope

Explanation

Ancient Tamil commentator says: “This verse refers to sons only, for daughters cannot be described as …. (Tamil words) ….., “can never be learned”. However times have changed and in 21st century India, it certainly applies to daughters equally.

I have omitted further notes of Rev. G. U. Pope on page 207

The Sanskrit word for son is “putra” and means ‘deliverer from hell.’ The Tamil word ------ is probably a corruption of this

Translation(s)

Those who gain children of virtuous worth that none reproach, no evils touch them through the seven fold maze of birth.

Explanation

Benefit obtained in the next world from having good sons in this birth is highlighted.

The seven births are: (i) gods, (ii) men, (iii) quadrupeds, (iv) birds, (v) reptiles, (vi) fish and (vii) things without motion. Things without motion refers to plants, who were intuitively classified as living beings in ancient India.

Translation(s)

“Man’s children are his fortune’, say the wise;
From each one’s deeds his varied fortunes rise. “
- translation by Rev. G. U. Pope.

Explanation

Children learn from the example set by their parents in day to day life. Thus if parent’s deeds are good; children, who are parents’ fortune, will imbibe them and grow into good people.

"You're teaching a lesson each day that you live; Your actions are blazing a trail That children will follow for good or for ill;You can help them or cause them to fail."
- Bosch

Ancient Tamil commentator’s translation is different: Children employ the wealth they acquire in performing acts of piety for benefit of their deceased parents. Thus children constitute the only possession or wealth that aids man after death.

Translation(s)

Far sweeter than god’s ambrosia is the food laid before men, in which the little hands of their own children have played.

“Children are offspring called, and justly so,
for from their parents’ deeds, or good or ill,
their disposition springs.” b – rendering by F.W. Ellis

Explanation

Benefits obtained in this world from children are highlighted in this verse and the next two.

Translation(s)

To parent the touch of dear children is sweet and their voice is the sweetest music to his ear.

“Sweet the sensation to the parent’s breast,
His child’s soft touch imparts, ‘tis real bliss
Which others hear of, fathers only know.”
– rendering by F.W. Ellis.

 

Translation(s)

‘The pipe is sweet’, ‘the lute is sweet’, it will be averred by them, who have never heard the music of their infants’ lisping lips.

Explanation

"The happy union with wife and children is like the music of lutes and harps" - Confucius, Doctrine of Mean, 15

Translation(s)

Sire who makes his son fit to fill the highest seat in councils of the wise, confers the greatest boon on him.

Explanation

The father’s duty is stated in this couplet. However, today what Osho said is more relevant:

"Parents down the ages have carried the idea that children belong to them, and that they just have to be carbon copies of them. Children are born through you but they do not belong to you. They have to live according to themselves - in freedom, in responsibility, in danger, in challenge. That is how one becomes strong."
- Osho

"Give your children your love, but do not give your ideologies. ….. Give your love, give your loving nourishment, and give them strength enough to inquire who they are, what this reality is all about. Give them every support so that they can go on in life with an adventurous spirit. Then you are helpin them; then you are really educating them."
- Osho

Translation(s)

That their children’s wisdom is greater than their own, when confessed through the wide world, is sweet to every human breast.

Explanation

Joy of the world and that of parents is highlighted.

“If banyan’s trunk be eaten by the gnawing ant,
Its offshoot bears it up, like buttress, even so
When in the sire decay appears, the son he gained
Shall hide it straight, and weakness is no more.”
– Naladiyar,…

Translation(s)

When the mother hears him named “Fulfilled of Wisdom’s lore’, she feels far greater joy than when she bore her son.”

Explanation

Mother’s delight is highlighted

Ancient Tamil commentator says: “The mother must hear of her son’s proficiency, being naturally incapable of judging for herself.”

Translation(s)

What best requital can be done by grateful child to sire? To make men say: What merit gained the father such a son?

Explanation

The son’s duty is stated

Rev. G. U. Pope noted in 1886 A.D.:

“Many pilgrimages are performed in India, as they have been in other hands, and many a vows are made at various shrines, by childless parents. At Tirupati or Tiru-Vengadam is a renowned temple where this boon is sought. Hindu stories abound in which penance has extorted from the gods a gift of male offspring.”

I can put a picture of Tirupati Temple

Summary Note

Thiru-valluvar has dwelt on the positive side of having children in a happy family. Children are also a support in times of personal crisis:

“I live for my sons. I would be lost without them.”
- Diana Frances Spencer, former consort (1981-96) of Charles , Princess of Wales, (1961-1997)

The other extreme is stated by Shakesseare:

"How sharper than a serpent's tooth it is To have a thankless child."
- William Shakespeare

A Drawing of Thiruvalluvar drawn by Writing His 1330 Verses in Tamil,
You Can Buy at http:\\www.ArtWanted.com\Rajeswari
Artist: Rajeswari Raja.

References