Thirukurral

Thirukural

Thirukurral written by Valluvar is considered one of the most widely translated non-religious works in the world. As of 2014, the work has been translated into about 82 world languages. English language alone has about 57 versions available so far. Thirukurral consists of 1330 couplets dealing with the everyday virtues of an individual. It is divided into 133 sections and each has 10 couplets each.

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(கடவுள் வாழ்த்து)

Kadavul (கடவுள்) has two meanings:

- one who had overcome the self or existence
- one who moves everything

Vazhthhu (வாழ்த்து) means praise

Kadavul Vazhthhu (கடவுள் வாழ்த்து) means praise of God. There are ten couplets under this heading. Thiruvalluvar does not talk about a creator or protector or punisher or destroyer but who is worthy of following or one who teaches to follow the Araneri or the middle path. According to Choodamani Nigandu the definition of God is one who has infinite wisdom, infinite presence with power and bliss, and one who has no specific name or identification to describe him, one who has no restricted life span and no end or change.

Thiruvalluvar had only praised Lord as the title says and given the benefits of surrendering to Him. It is a useful practice that poets request help to complete the project undertaken. if we do our work diligently the end result will be good. So he believed in doing the work and had not requested anything from Lord. Lord will bless us as and when the time comes. Who are we to disturb His plan?

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குறள் 1	அகர முதல எழுத்தெல்லாம் ஆதி பகவன் முதற்றே உலகு
Trans- literation	akara mudala ezhuthellām āthi bhagavan mudatrē ulagu
Meaning by words	அகரம் -முதல் ௨யிர் எழுத்து; Means first letter முதல- Means leads எழுத்தெல்லாம் -Letters ஆதி -Means Ancient or the First பகவன் - Means The Enlightened முதற்றே -  Means leads உலகு  - Means the world
Meaning in Tamil	அகரம் எழுத்துக்களுக்கு முதன்மை அதுபோல ஆதிபகவன் உலகில் வாழும் உயிர்களுக்கு முதன்மை akaram ezhuththukkaLukku muthanmai athupola āthi bhagavan ulagil vāzhum uyirgaLukku muthanmai
Meaning in English	‘A’ leads letters; the Ancient Lord leads and lords the entire world
Explanation	Thiruvalluvar in the seventh kural says God has no comparison to himself.  But since he is a master of letters starts the first kural by comparing the letter ‘A’ which is the first and leads the other letters and likewise Ancient Lord leads the world. We can take rejoice that since he leads the universe with its living and non-living objects we are not far away from him and we have relationship with God.

குறள் 2	கற்றதனால் ஆய பயனென்கொல் வாலறிவன் நற்றாள் தொழாஅர் எனின்
Trans- literation	Katradhanaal aaya payanenkol vaalarivan Natraal thozhaaar enin
Meaning by words	கற்றதனால் – As a result of learning ஆய பயனென் – what is the use கொல் – It is an expletive (an exclamation or swearword; an oath or a sound expressing an emotional reaction rather than any particular meaning.) வாலறிவன் – One who has pure knowledge நற்றாள் -  Good feet I think good is not quite suiting. We can say virtuous or righteous. தொழாஅர் எனின் – if not worship
Meaning in Tamil	தூய அறிவு வடிவான இறைவனின் திருவடிகளை வணங்காதவர், படித்ததனால் பெற்ற பயன்தான் என்ன? thūya aRivu vadivāna iRaivanin thiruvadigaLai vaNangathavar padiththathanāl petra payanthān enna
Meaning in English	What is the use of learning if one does not worship the virtuous feet of Him who possess pure knowledge?
Explanation	Valluvar in this kural speaks about another attribute of Lord i.e Lord possesses pure knowledge not derived from other sources since he is the first (ஆதி) to come and hence his knowledge is unadulterated and pure.  What is the use of learning if one does not surrender at the good feet of Him who possess pure knowledge? Nothing.

குறள் 3	மலர்மிசை ஏகினான் மாணடி சேர்ந்தார் நிலமிசை நீடுவாழ்வார்
Trans- literation	malarmisai  ēkinān māNadi  chērnthār nilamisai nīdu  vāzhvār
Meaning by words	மலர்மிசை ஏகினான் – The one who swiftly comes and resides in the flower like of heart of the devotee as and when the devotee think of Him மாணடி சேர்ந்தார் – whose superior feet the devotee who surrender நிலமிசை– in this earth நீடுவாழ்வார் - will live long
Meaning in Tamil	மனமாகிய மலர்மீது வே௧மாக சென்று இருப்பவனாகிய கடவுளின் சிறந்த திருவடிகளை எப்போதும் நினைப்பவர்களின் புகழ்வாழ்வு இப்பூமியில் நெடுங்காலம் நிலைத்து இருக்கும் manamagiya malarmīthuvēgamaga chenRu iruppavanagiya kadavuLin chiRantha thiruvadigaLai eppothum ninaippavargaLin pugazh vāzhvu ipbhūmiyil nedungkalam nilaththu irukkum
Meaning in English	Those who surrender to the feet of the one who instantly resides in the flower like heart of a devotee as soon as the devotee think of Him, the devotee will live long on this earth.
Explanation	Here comes the third attribute of God. He comes and resides in the flower like heart of a devotee.  If a devotee surrenders to his great feet, the devotee will live long and will be remembered. Not just long life but he will be remembered for long

குறள் 4	வேண்டுதல் வேண்டாமை இலானடி சேர்ந்தார்க்கு யாண்டும் இடும்பை இல
Trans- literation	vēNduthal vēNdāmai chērnthārkku yāNdum  idumbai  ila
Meaning by words	வேண்டுதல் -  desires வேண்டாமை - aversion இலானடி - the feet of the one who is devoid of above qualities சேர்ந்தார்க்கு - one who surrender யாண்டும் - all times இடும்பை இல - no problem
Meaning in Tamil	எதிலும் விருப்பு வெறுப்பு இல்லாத கடவுளின் திருவடிகளை மனத்தால் எப்போதும் நினைப்பவருக்கு உலகத் துன்பம் ஒருபோதும் இல்லை ethilum viruppu veruppu illatha kadavuLin thiruvadigaLai manaththal eppothum ninaippavrukku ulagath thunbam oru pothum illai
Meaning in English	Those who surrender at the feet of the one, who doesn’t  have desires or aversion, will never have any hassles anywhere.
Explanation	The fourth attribute God doesn’t have desires or aversion.  If we surrender at the feet of the God who doesn’t have desires or aversion then we will also be free from desire and aversion and will have nothing to complain at any time. Root cause of misery is desire and also aversion or hate.  By surrendering at his feet we will also have no likes and dislikes because God resides in our heart and only we should feel it and enjoy it through meditation.

குறள் 5	இருள்சேர் இருவினையும் சேரா இறைவன் பொருள்சேர் புகழ்புரிந்தார் மாட்டு
Trans- literation	iruLsēr iruvinaiyum sērā iraivan poruLsēr ougazhpurinthār māttu
Meaning by words	இருள்சேர்  - darkness of ignorance இருவினையும் - two classes of moral actions good and evil சேரா -  will not affect இறைவன்- Lord ; one who is powerful பொருள்சேர் - meaningful and true புகழ்புரிந்தார் - lover and regard the praise worthiness of God மாட்டு- will not affect
Meaning in Tamil	கடவுளின் உண்மைப் புகழை விரும்பி  அன்பு செலுத்துகின்றவரிடம் அறியாமையால் வரும் நல்வினை, தீவினை ஆகிய இருவினைகளும் வந்து சேரமாட்டா
Meaning in English	The two-fold deeds that spring from darkness shall not affect those who delight in the true praise of God
Explanation	Here the attribute is God has the power to bless us with not suffering from life and death if we follow the middle path. Two classes of moral actions good and evil leads to future births in which they are to be suffered or enjoyed. Both are maya (the illusion). If we delight in the true praise of God we will be saved from rebirths as we will not be touched by the two-fold deeds since any of them can cause rebirths.

குறள் 6	பொறிவாயில் ஐந்தவித்தான் பொய்தீர் ஒழுக்க நெறிநின்றார் நீடுவாழ்வார்
Trans- literation	poRivāyil ainthaviththān poythīr ozhukka neRininRār nīdu vāzhvār
Meaning by words:	பொறிவாயில் ஐந்தவித்தான் - The one who has conquered the five senses through the gates of skin, mouth, eyes, nose and ears பொய்தீர் ஒழுக்க - leaving the false path நெறிநின்றார்  - following the just path நீடுவாழ்வார் - will live long
Meaning in Tamil	மெய், வாய், கண், மூக்கு, செவி ஆகிய ஐந்து பொறிகளையும் கட்டுப்படுத்திய தூயவனின் உண்மையான ஒழுக்கமுடைய நெறியைப் பின்பற்றி நிற்பவரின் புகழ்வாழ்வு இப்பூமியில் நெடுங்காலம் நிலைத்து இருக்கும் mei, vāi, kaN, mūkku, chevi ā ainthu poRigaLaiyum kattupaduththiya thūyavanin uNmaiyana ozhukkamudaya neRiyaip pinvatri niRpavarin pugazhvāvu ipbhūmiyil nedungkalam nilaththu irukkum
Meaning in English	Those who follow the true moral path of the one, who has doused the desires of the five senses, will last long.
Explanation	The sixth attribute is God has conquered the five senses.  He has no requirements. If anyone follows  the middle path and surrender to the God who has conquered the five senses through the gates of skin, mouth, eyes, nose and ears, he will live long ie. his fame will be there for long

குறள் 7	தனக்குவமை இல்லாதான் தாள்சேர்ந்தார் கல்லால் மனக்கவலை மாற்றல் அரிது
Trans- literation	thanakkuvamai illathan thāL cērnthārk kllāl mankkavalai mātRal arithu
Meaning by words	தனக்குவமை இல்லாதான் – The God who has no comparison to himself தாள்சேர்ந்தார் கல்லால்– except those who had surrendered to the feet of God மனக்கவலை மாற்றல் அரிது.anxiety of mind cannot be relieved
Meaning in Tamil	ஒரு வகையாலும் தனக்கு ஒப்பில்லாத இறைவனுடைய திருவடிகளை அடைந்தவர்க்கல்லாமல் மனக்கவலை மாற்றல் அரிது. Oru vagaiyalum thanakku oppillatha iRaivanudaya thiruvadigalai adainthavarkkallamal manakkavalai matRal arithu
Meaning in English	It is hard for mind to find relief from anxiety if not united to the feet of Him who is incomparable.
Explanation	Attribute mentioned here is Lord is incomparable to anybody else. Anxiety of mind will not be removed except for those who have surrendered to the feet of Lord who is incomparable. If we surrender to the Lord but following the correct path there is no anxiety and results for our actions will be decided by Him and it will be good always.

குறள் 8	அறவாழி அந்தணன் தாள்சேர்ந்தார்க் கல்லால் பிறவாழி நீந்தல் அரிது
Trans- literation	aRavaazhi andhaNan ThaaLsaerndhaark Kallaal PiRavaazhi neendhal aridhu
Meaning by words	அறவாழி = (அறம் + ஆழி)  அறம் –தருமம்;  virtue ஆழி - கடல்; sea அறவாழி – தருமம் ஆகிய கடல்; sea of virtue அந்தணன்  - அழகிய தன்மைமுடையவன்; gracious one தாள் – கால்; feet சேர்ந்தார் – சரணமடைந்தவர்; the one who surrendered அல்லால் – அல்லாமல்; except பிறவாழி  = (பிறவி + ஆழி) பிறவி – பிறப்பு; birth ஆழி - கடல்; sea பிறவாழி – பிறவி ஆகிய கடல்; sea of miseries in life நீந்தல் – நீந்துதல்; overcome (literal meaning is swimming but here it is overcome the miseries of life) அரிது – உண்டாகாது; that which is difficult.
Meaning in Tamil	அறக்கடலான கடவுளின் திருவடிகளை சேர்ந்தவரே அல்லாமல் மற்றவர் பிறவியாக கடலை நீந்திக் கடப்பது கடினம்.
Meaning in English	None can swim the sea of miseries of life, but those who are united to the feet of that gracious Being who is a sea of virtue.
Explanation	Here the attributes mentioned is sea of virtue and gracious one.  Unless and until we surrender to the feet of gracious Lord who is a sea of dharma, we will not be able to cross the sea of miseries in life.

குறள் 9	கோளில் பொறியின் குணமிலவே எண்குணத்தான் தாளை வணங்காத் தலை
Trans- literation	kōLil poRiyin kunamilave eNkuNaththān thālai vanangāth thalai
Meaning by words	கோளில் – கொள்ளுதல் -obtain பொறியின்- மெய், வாய், கண், மூக்கு, செவி என்ற ஐவகை இந்திரியத்துடய. organs of sense குணம் - பொருளின் தன்மை; property இலவே – இல்லை; not there எண்குணத்தான் – the eight attributes which he had mentioned in the above eight kurals தாளை வணங்காத் தலை the head that does bow at the Lord's feet
Meaning in Tamil	எண் நல்ல குணங்களுக்கு எல்லாம் இருப்பிடமான கடவுளின் திருவடிகளை வணங்காத தலைகள், புலன்கள் இல்லாத பொறிகள்போல, இருந்தும் பயன் இல்லாதவையே.
Meaning in English	The head that worships not the feet of Him who is possessed of eight attributes, is as useless as a sense without the power of sensation
Explanation	After listing out the eight attributes of the Lord the poet says the head which does not bow to the Lord who has eight epithets though it is the seat of five senses, the senses are of no use since it is incapable of developing perspectives over the data the five senses bring to him. Eight attributes of God 1. Ancient enlightened one 2. The one who has pure unadulterated knowledge 3. The one who reside in our heart. 4. The one who has no likes and dislikes 5. The one who can bestow freedom from all bonds. 6. The One who conquered the five senses 7, One who has no comparison 8. Ocean of virtue, beautiful and gracious one.

குறள் 10	பிறவிப் பெருங்கடல் நீந்துவர் நீந்தார் இறைவன் அடிசேரா தார்.
Trans- literation	piRavip Perungadal nīndhuvar nīndhār iRaivan adiserā Thār
Meaning by words	பிறவிப் பெருங்கடல் பிறவி ஆகிய கடல்; sea of miseries in life நீந்துவர் overcome (literal meaning is swimming but here it is overcome the miseries of life) நீந்தார் will not overcome இறைவன் = எப்பொருளிலுந் தங்குதலுடைய கடவுள்; the all abiding Lord அடிசேரா தார் - the one who does not surrender  at the feet of Lord
Meaning in Tamil	இறைவனுடைய திருவடிகளை பொருந்தி நினைக்கின்றவர் பிறவியாகிய பெரிய கடலைக் கடக்க முடியும். மற்றவர் கடக்க முடியாது.
Meaning in English	None can swim the great sea of births but those who are united to the feet of God
Explanation	He concludes the chapter of Praise of God by insisting on prayer in the form of surrendering.  Unless and until we surrender we cannot overcome the sea of miseries but will be stuck in the materialist world. God is the only Real Object and the rest are illusory.  We should develop a mindset of surrendering at the feet of God. The goal of life, which is birthlessness and the end of all pain and suffering, can be reached only by those who have surrendered totally at His divine feet

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