திருக்குறள்

Thirukkural by Saint Thiruvalluvar

Explore the timeless wisdom of Thirukkural, a classic Tamil text consisting of 1,330 couplets dealing with ethics, politics, economics, and love. Each Kural is presented with explanations from renowned Tamil scholars.

குறள் 1221

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???????????? ???????? ?????? ??????????????????????? ???????? ??????
Pakalvellum Kookaiyaik Kaakkai IkalvellumVendharkku Ventum Pozhudhu
English: A crow will conquer owl in broad daylight;The king that foes would crush, needs fitting time to fight

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

?????? ???????? ???? ?????????? ?????? ????????????, ??????? ????? ?????????????? ??????????? ?????? ???? ????? ????????.

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

?????????? ??????? ?????????? ?????? ?????? ????????????; ???? ?????? ????? ????????????? ?????? ???? ????? ???????.

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

???? ?????? ????????? ?????????? ???????????? ?????? ???? ??????? ?????????????? ???? ????????? ????????????? ????????

English Explanation

A crow will overcome an owl in the day time; so the king who would conquer his enemy must have (a suitable) time

குறள் 1222

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???????????? ???????? ??????? ?????????????? ????? ?????
Ventungaal Ventum Piravaamai MatradhuVentaamai Venta Varum
English: If desire you feel, freedom from changing birth require!'I' will come, if you desire to 'scape, set free from all desire

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

?????? ????? ?????????????? ????? ???????? ??????? ????????, ??? ??? ???? ?????? ???????????? ?????????.

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

????????? ??????? ?????????????? ??????? ???? ???? ?????? ?? ????????. ???????? ???????? ?????????????????? ???? ???? ?????? ?????????.

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

??????????????? ?????????? ???????????????????? ????? ?????? ???????? ???????? ????????? ????? ????, ?????? ????????????? ?????

English Explanation

If anything be desired, freedom from births should be desired; that (freedom from births) will be attained by desiring to be without desire

குறள் 1223

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???????????? ???????? ??????? ???????????????????? ??? ?????
Kurikkontu Nokkaamai Allaal OrukanSirakkaniththaal Pola Nakum
English: She seemed to see me not; but yet the maidHer love, by smiling side-long glance, betrayed

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

????? ??????? ?????????? ????????? ??? ??????? ????????, ??? ??????? ???????????? ???? ??????? ???????? ???????? ?????????.

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

???? ??????????? ??? ????? ??????? ???????? ?????????? ??? ??????? ?????????? ?????????? ????? ???????? ???? ?????????.

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

???? ????? ????? ??????? ??????????????? ????, ??? ??????? ???????? ???????? ????????? ??? ????? ??????????? ???????? ???????????

English Explanation

She not only avoids a direct look at me, but looks as it were with a half-closed eye and smiles

குறள் 1224

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???????????? ???????? ??????? ???????????????????? ???????? ?????
Uruppoththal Makkaloppu Andraal VeruththakkaPanpoththal Oppadhaam Oppu
English: Men are not one because their members seem alike to outward view;Similitude of kindred quality makes likeness true

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

???????? ???????????? ????????? ??????? ?????, ??????????????? ??????? ???????????? ??????????? ?????????????.

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

?????????????? ??????????? ???????? ???????????? ????? ?????; ??????????? ??????? ??????? ???????? ???????????? ????? ?????.

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

???????? ???????????? ????????? ???? ?????????? ??????? ??????????? ???????? ?????? ???????? ?????????? ??????? ???????; ????????????? ???????????????? ?????? ??????????

English Explanation

Resemblance of bodies is no resemblance of souls; true resemblance is the resemblance of qualities that attract

குறள் 1225

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???????????? ???????? ??????? ????????????????????? ???????? ????
Nalakkuriyaar Yaarenin Naamaneer VaippinPirarkkuriyaal Tholdhoyaa Thaar
English: Who 're good indeed, on earth begirt by ocean's gruesome tide?The men who touch not her that is another's bride

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

???? ??????? ????????? ????????? ??????? ???? ???????? ????????? ????????????? ?????? ????????????? ????

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

??????????? ?????? ????????? ?????????? ????? ?????????? ????????? ??????? ???? ???????, ????????????? ????????? ?????? ????????

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

????? ????????? ?????? ?????????? ???? ???? ?????????? ????????? ??????????? ?????????????

English Explanation

Is it asked, "who are those who shall obtain good in this world surrounded by the terror-producing sea ?" Those who touch not the shoulder of her who belongs to another

குறள் 1226

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???????????? ???????? ???????? ???????????????? ??????? ????
Thaamveezhvaar Mendrol Thuyilin InidhukolThaamaraik Kannaan Ulaku
English: Than rest in her soft arms to whom the soul is giv'n,Is any sweeter joy in his, the Lotus-eyed-one's heaven

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

??????? ????????? ?????, ???? ?????????? ?????????? ??????? ????????? ???????? ?????? ???? ????? ??????.

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

???? ?????????? ????????? ??????? ?????? ??????? ???????? ?????????????? ??????? ????????? ?????????? ????? ????? ?????

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

??????? ??????? ????? ??????????? ?????????????, ??? ????! ????? ??????? ????????? ?????? ???????? ????????? ??? ??????? ????? ??????????

English Explanation

Can the lotus-eyed Vishnu's heaven be indeed as sweet to those who delight to sleep in the delicate arms of their beloved ?

குறள் 1227

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???????????? ???????? ???????? ????????????????? ?????? ???
Thaamveezhvaar Thamveezhap Petravar PetraareKaamaththuk Kaazhil Kani
English: The bliss to be beloved by those they love who gains,Of love the stoneless, luscious fruit obtains

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

???? ?????????? ?????? ????? ????????????? ???? ????????, ????? ???????????? ??????? ???? ?????? ???????? ???????? ?????.

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

???? ???????????????? ????????????? ??????????? ????? ?????? ??????? ???? ?????? ??????? ???????? ????.

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

??????? ?????????????? ??????, ????? ??????????? ???? ???????? ??????????? ???????? ????? ????? ???????????? ?????? ????????????

English Explanation

The women who are beloved by those whom they love, have they have not got the stone-less fruit of sexual delight ?

குறள் 1228

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???????????? ???????? ???????? ?????????????????? ????? ??????
Varumunnark Kaavaadhaan Vaazhkkai ErimunnarVaiththooru Polak Ketum
English: His joy who guards not 'gainst the coming evil day,Like straw before the fire shall swift consume away

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

??????? ?????????? ??????? ?????? ???????? ????????????? ????????, ?????????? ???? ????? ???????? ???? ???? ?????????????.

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

?????? ??? ??????? ????????? ?????? ?????? ???????? ??????? ????, ???????????? ???? ??????????? ???????? ??? ?????????????.

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

???????????? ????????????? ??????? ??? ????? ??????? ??????????? ????????????? ????????????? ?????????? ???????? ???? ???????? ???? ????? ???????????

English Explanation

The prosperity of him who does not timely guard against faults, will perish like straw before fire

குறள் 1229

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???????????? ???????? ???????? ???????????????????? ?????????? ?????
Nalamventin Naanutaimai Ventum Kulam VentinVentuka Yaarkkum Panivu
English: Who seek for good the grace of virtuous shame must know;Who seek for noble name to all must reverence show

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

?????????? ????? ???????????? ????? ???????? ????????, ???????? ?????? ???????????? ?????????????? ????? ????????.

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

?????? ?????? ????? ???????? ????? ????????? ??????? ????? ?????? ????????. ???????????????? ???? ????? ???????? ???????, ???????????? ????? ?????? ????????.

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

???? ????? ????????? ????? ?????????, ???????????? ??????????? ???????? ?????? ????????? ???????? ?????????? ???? ?????? ??????????? ????????? ??????????????

English Explanation

He who desires a good name must desire modesty; and he who desires (the continuance of) a family greatness must be submissive to all

குறள் 1230

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???????????? ???????? ????????? ??????????????? ???????? ????????
Sutachchutarum Ponpol Olivitum ThunpanjjchUtachchuta Norkir Pavarkku
English: The hotter glows the fining fire, the gold the brighter shines;The pain of penitence, like fire, the soul of man refines

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

????????? ???????? ???????????? ???????? ???? ???? ???????????? ??????? ?????? ?????? ??????????? ??????

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

???????? ?????????? ????????? ??? ????????? ????? ??????? ?????? ???????? ???? ???????????? ????? ????????.

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

??????? ???? ????????? ?????? ??? ??????????????? ?????? ??????????? ?????? ?????????? ???????????? ??????? ???????? ????????? ???????? ???? ????? ?????? ???????????

English Explanation

Just as gold is purified as heated in the fire, will those shine, who have endured the burning of pain (in frequent austerities)

குறள் 1231

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???????????? ???????? ????????? ?????????????????? ?????? ????
Pakachchollik Kelirp Pirippar NakachcholliNatpaatal Thetraa Thavar
English: With friendly art who know not pleasant words to say,Speak words that sever hearts, and drive choice friends away

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

??????????????? ???? ??????? ?????????? ????? ????? ?????????? ????? ?????? ???????????????? ????? ???? ?????????? ???????? ???????.

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

???? ????????? ????? ???? ????? ????????? ??????????, ????????? ????????????? ???????? ???????.

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

?????????? ???? ?????????? ?????? ?????????????, ??????? ?????????????? ????????? ????????? ?????? ???????????

English Explanation

Those who know not to live in friendship with amusing conversation will by back-biting estrange even their relatives

குறள் 1232

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???????????? ???????? ?????????? ???????????????????? ?????? ?????
Muranserndha Moimpi Navarkkum AranserndhaamAakkam Palavun Tharum
English: Though skill in war combine with courage tried on battle-field,The added gain of fort doth great advantage yield

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

???????? ????????? ????? ????????????? ?????? ???????? ??????????? ??????????? ?? ????? ??????????? ??????????.

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

??? ????????? ??????????, ???????? ?????????? ??????????????? ??????????? ???????? ???????? ?? ??????????? ?????.

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

?????????? ??????????? ????? ???????????, ???????? ?????? ???????? ???????? ?????????? ??????????? ?????????? ????????

English Explanation

Even to those who are men of power and expedients, an attack in connection with a fortification will yield many advantages

குறள் 1233

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???????????? ???????? ??????????? ?????????????? ???????? ?????
Setraarpin Sellaap Perundhakaimai KaamanoiUtraar Arivadhondru Andru
English: The dignity that seeks not him who acts as foe,Is the one thing that loving heart can never know

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

????? ???????? ???????????? ???? ????????? ????????? ???????? ???????????, ??????? ??????? ??????? ???????? ????.

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

??????? ???????? ???????? ?????? ????????, ?????? ???? ???????? ???????? ???????? ?? ??????????? ????? ???? ????????? ??? ????????. ??????????? ??? ????????.

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

??????? ???????? ????? ???????? ???????? ????? ?????? ????????? ?? ???????, ????? ?????????????? ????????????

English Explanation

The dignity that would not go after an absent lover is not known to those who are sticken by love

குறள் 1234

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???????????? ????????? ??? ????????????????????????? ???? ????????
Thunjungaal Tholmelar Aaki VizhikkungaalNenjaththar Aavar Viraindhu
English: And when I sleep he holds my form embraced;And when I wake to fill my heart makes haste

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

???????????? ?????? ????? ??? ???????? ?????????, ????????????????? ???????? ??? ???????? ??????????????.

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

??? ???????? ????????? ?????? ??????? ???? ???????? ???? ??? ?????? ???? ???????????. ?????????? ???????? ???? ?????? ??? ???????????? ???????? ??????????.

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

??????????? ?????? ????? ??? ???? ???? ???????? ?????? ???????, ??????????? ??????? ???? ?????????; ??? ???????? ???? ???????? ????????

English Explanation

When I am asleep he rests on my shoulders, (but) when I awake he hastens into my soul

குறள் 1235

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???????????? ????????? ???? ???????????????????? ??? ?????
Paniarumpip Paidhalkol Maalai ThuniarumpithThunpam Valara Varum
English: With buds of chilly dew wan evening's shade enclose;My anguish buds space and all my sorrow grows

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

??? ???????? ????? ????? ?????? ?????? ??????? ?????? ???????? ?????????? ??????? ?????????? ???????????? ??????????.

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

???? ??????? ?????????? ?????? ??????? ???? ???????? ????? ???? ??????? ???? ???? ?????? ?????? ??????? ???????? ???? ???????? ??????, ??????? ??????? ??????????? ?????? ??????????.

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

?????????? ??? ?????? ?????? ???? ??????, ???? ?????????? ???? ?????? ??????, ??????? ??? ????? ?????????????????? ????????? ??????????? ?????? ????????

English Explanation

The evening that (once) came in with trembling and dimness (now) brings me an aversion for life and increasing sorrow

குறள் 1236

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???????????? ????????? ????? ???????????????????? ?????? ?????
Irpirandhaar Kanneyum Inmai IlivandhaSorpirakkum Sorvu Tharum
English: From penury will spring, 'mid even those of noble race,Oblivion that gives birth to words that bring disgrace

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

????? ??????, ???? ???????? ?????????????????? ????? ????? ???? ????????????? ??????? ?????? ????????? ??????.

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

???? ????????????? ???????????? ???, ??????? ????? ????????, ?????? ?????????? ????????? ?????????? ????????? ??????.

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

??????? ????? ??????, ???? ???????? ??????????????? ?????? ???? ???????????? ?????? ????????? ??????

English Explanation

Even in those of high birth, poverty will produce the fault of uttering mean words

குறள் 1237

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???????????? ????????? ????? ????????????????????? ????? ?????
Neruppinul Thunjalum Aakum NirappinulYaadhondrum Kanpaatu Aridhu
English: Amid the flames sleep may men's eyelids close,In poverty the eye knows no repose

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

?????? ???????????? ??????? ??????????? ????????, ????? ????? ???????? ???????????? ????????? ????????? ?????.

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

??? ????????? ?????????????? ??????? ????????? ????????; ?????, ????? ????????????? ?????? ????? ??? ??? ????????.

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

?????????????? ????????? ???????????? ??? ???????? ????????; ????? ????? ????????? ???????? ????????? ?????? ????? ?????????

English Explanation

One may sleep in the midst of fire; but by no means in the midst of poverty

குறள் 1238

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???????????? ????????? ?????? ???????????????? ???????? ?????
Kettaarkku Nattaaril Enpadho NenjeneePettaangu Avarpin Selal
English: 'The ruined have no friends, 'they say; and so, my heart,To follow him, at thy desire, from me thou dost depart

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

??????! ?? ??? ?????????????????? ???? ???? ???????????? ??????, ??????????? ?????????????? ?????? ????? ??????? ????????

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

??????! ?? ???????? ???????? ??? ?????????????? ??????? ??????? ??????, ???? ????????? ???????? ????????????? ?????? ????? ??????????

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

??????! ?? ??? ???????? ???? ?????????? ???? ????????? ???????, ??????????? ????????????? ????????? ??????????? ??????????? ????? ??????? ??????

English Explanation

O my soul! do you follow him at pleasure under the belief that the ruined have no friends?

குறள் 1239

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???????????? ????????? ???????? ?????????????????? ?????? ???
Siraikaakkum Kaappevan Seyyum MakalirNiraikaakkum Kaappe Thalai
English: Of what avail is watch and ward?Honour's woman's safest guard

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

???????? ????? ???????? ???????? ?????? ???? ???? ???? ???????????? ??????? ???? ??????? ??????? ??????? ???? ???????? ????? ?????????.

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

?????? ?????????? ???????????? ???????? ???? ???????? ????? ????????? ???? ????? ??????? ???????? ??????? ?? ??????????? ???????? ????? ????????????.

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

??????? ???? ?????????????? ?????? ???????? ?????? ?????? ????????? ????? ???????? ?????????????

English Explanation

What avails the guard of a prison ? The chief guard of a woman is her chastity

குறள் 1240

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???????????? ????????? ???????? ???????????????????? ???? ??????
Netungatalum Thanneermai Kundrum ThatindhezhiliThaannalkaa Thaaki Vitin
English: If clouds restrain their gifts and grant no rain,The treasures fail in ocean's wide domain

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

????? ???????????? ?????? ??????? ????????????? ????????? ??????????, ????? ?????? ??? ???? ???????? ??????

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

???????? ?????????????? ???? ????? ???????? ??????, ????? ???? ??? ??????? ??????

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

?????? ???????? ??????? ?????? ?????? ???????? ???????????? ??????? ???????? ????????? ???? ?????????????????? ???????? ??????????????? ?????? ?????????????? ??????????????? ?????? ???????? ??????

English Explanation

Even the wealth of the wide sea will be diminished, if the cloud that has drawn (its waters) up gives them not back again (in rain)