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.
(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?
குறள் 1
|
அகர
முதல
எழுத்தெல்லாம்
ஆதி
பகவன்
முதற்றே
உலகு
|
Trans-
literation
|
akara mudala ezhuthellām āthi
bhagavan mudatrē ulagu
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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
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Meaning in
Tamil
|
அகரம் எழுத்துக்களுக்கு முதன்மை அதுபோல ஆதிபகவன் உலகில் வாழும் உயிர்களுக்கு முதன்மை
akaram ezhuththukkaLukku muthanmai athupola āthi bhagavan ulagil vāzhum uyirgaLukku muthanmai
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Meaning in
English
|
‘A’ leads letters; the
Ancient Lord leads and lords the entire world
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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.
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குறள் 2
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கற்றதனால் ஆய பயனென்கொல் வாலறிவன்
நற்றாள் தொழாஅர் எனின்
|
Trans-
literation
|
Katradhanaal aaya payanenkol vaalarivan
Natraal thozhaaar enin
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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
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Meaning in
Tamil
|
தூய அறிவு வடிவான இறைவனின் திருவடிகளை வணங்காதவர், படித்ததனால் பெற்ற பயன்தான் என்ன?
thūya aRivu vadivāna iRaivanin thiruvadigaLai
vaNangathavar padiththathanāl petra payanthān enna
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Meaning in
English
|
What is the use of
learning if one does not worship the virtuous feet of Him who possess pure
knowledge?
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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.
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குறள் 3
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மலர்மிசை ஏகினான் மாணடி சேர்ந்தார் நிலமிசை நீடுவாழ்வார்
|
Trans-
literation
|
malarmisai ēkinān māNadi chērnthār
nilamisai nīdu vāzhvār
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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குறள் 4
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வேண்டுதல் வேண்டாமை இலானடி சேர்ந்தார்க்கு
யாண்டும் இடும்பை இல
|
Trans-
literation
|
vēNduthal vēNdāmai chērnthārkku
yāNdum idumbai ila
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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
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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
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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.
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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.
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குறள் 5
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இருள்சேர் இருவினையும் சேரா இறைவன்
பொருள்சேர் புகழ்புரிந்தார் மாட்டு
|
Trans-
literation
|
iruLsēr iruvinaiyum sērā iraivan
poruLsēr ougazhpurinthār māttu
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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
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Meaning in
Tamil
|
கடவுளின் உண்மைப் புகழை விரும்பி அன்பு செலுத்துகின்றவரிடம் அறியாமையால் வரும் நல்வினை, தீவினை ஆகிய இருவினைகளும்
வந்து சேரமாட்டா
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Meaning in
English
|
The two-fold deeds that spring from darkness shall not affect those
who delight in the true praise of God
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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.
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குறள் 6
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பொறிவாயில் ஐந்தவித்தான் பொய்தீர் ஒழுக்க
நெறிநின்றார் நீடுவாழ்வார்
|
Trans-
literation
|
poRivāyil ainthaviththān poythīr ozhukka
neRininRār nīdu vāzhvār
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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
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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
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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
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குறள் 7
|
தனக்குவமை இல்லாதான் தாள்சேர்ந்தார் கல்லால்
மனக்கவலை மாற்றல் அரிது
|
Trans-
literation
|
thanakkuvamai illathan thāL cērnthārk kllāl
mankkavalai mātRal arithu
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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
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Meaning in Tamil
|
ஒரு வகையாலும் தனக்கு ஒப்பில்லாத இறைவனுடைய திருவடிகளை அடைந்தவர்க்கல்லாமல் மனக்கவலை மாற்றல் அரிது.
Oru vagaiyalum thanakku oppillatha iRaivanudaya
thiruvadigalai adainthavarkkallamal manakkavalai matRal arithu
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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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