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 121

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????? ?????????? ????? ???????????? ????? ????
Ooruni Neernirain Thatre UlakavaamPerari Vaalan Thiru
English: The wealth of men who love the 'fitting way,' the truly wise,Is as when water fills the lake that village needs supplies

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

The wealth of that man of eminent knowledge who desires to exercise the benevolence approved of by the world, is like the full waters of a city-tank

குறள் 122

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????? ?????????? ??????? ????????????? ???????? ?????
Nayanila Sollinunj Cholluka SaandrorPayanila Sollaamai Nandru
English: Let those who list speak things that no delight afford,'Tis good for men of worth to speak no idle word

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

Let the wise if they will, speak things without excellence; it will be well for them not to speak useless things

குறள் 123

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????? ?????????? ???????? ????????????? ???????? ???????
Kaamam Vituondro Naanvitu NannenjeYaano Poreniv Virantu
English: Or bid thy love, or bid thy shame depart;For me, I cannot bear them both, my worthy heart

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

???? ??????! ????? ??????? ?????? ????; ?????? ??????? ?????? ????; ???? ?????????? ??????????? ???????????? ??????? ????????.

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

???? ???????! ????? ??????? ?????????????? ?????? ????; ?????? ?????? ???????? ????? ????????? ????????? ???????????? ?????? ???? ???? ?????? ???????????? ??? ????????? ???????? ????? ??????? ????????

English Explanation

O my good soul, give up either lust or honour, as for me I can endure neither

குறள் 124

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????? ?????????? ???????? ???????????????? ?????????? ?????
Alavalaa Villaadhaan Vaazhkkai KulavalaakKotindri Neernirain Thatru
English: His joy of life who mingles not with kinsmen gathered round,Is lake where streams pour in, with no encircling bound

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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English Explanation

65 The wealth of one who does not mingle freely with his relatives, will be like the filling of water in a

குறள் 125

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Kaamak Katumpunal Neendhik KaraikaanenYaamaththum Yaane Ulen
English: I swim the cruel tide of love, and can no shore descry,In watches of the night, too, 'mid the waters, only I

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

I have swam across the terrible flood of lust, but have not seen its shore; even at midnight I am alone; still I live

குறள் 126

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Nerunal Ulanoruvan Indrillai EnnumPerumai Utaiththuiv Vulaku
English: Existing yesterday, today to nothing hurled!-Such greatness owns this transitory world

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

This world possesses the greatness that one who yesterday was is not today

குறள் 127

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????? ?????????? ????????? ??????????????? ??????? ????
Kaamak Katumpunal Uykkum NaanotuNallaanmai Ennum Punai
English: Love's rushing tide will sweep away the raftOf seemly manliness and shame combined

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

The raft of modesty and manliness, is, alas, carried-off by the strong current of lust

குறள் 128

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Thallaa Vilaiyulum Thakkaarum ThaazhvilaachChelvarum Servadhu Naatu
English: Where spreads fertility unfailing, where resides a band,Of virtuous men, and those of ample wealth, call that a 'land'

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

A kingdom is that in which (those who carry on) a complete cultivation, virtuous persons, and

குறள் 129

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Aatru Pavarkkum Aranporul AnjiththarPotru Pavarkkum Porul
English: A fort is wealth to those who act against their foes;Is wealth to them who, fearing, guard themselves from woes

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

(?????????????) ???? ??????? ?????????????? ???? ????????????, (?????????????????) ??????? ????? ????????? ??????????????? ??? ????????????.

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

A fort is an object of importance to those who march (against their foes) as well as to those who through fear (of pursuers) would seek it for shelter

குறள் 130

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Thaanam Thavamirantum Thangaa ViyanulakamVaanam Vazhangaa Thenin
English: If heaven its watery treasures ceases to dispense,Through the wide world cease gifts, and deeds of 'penitence'

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

If rain fall not, penance and alms-deeds will not dwell within this spacious world

குறள் 131

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Kaamak Katalmannum Unte AdhuneendhumEmap Punaimannum Il
English: A sea of love, 'tis true, I see stretched out before,But not the trusty bark that wafts to yonder shore

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

There is indeed a flood of lust; but there is no raft of safety to cross it with

குறள் 132

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????? ??????????? ??????? ??????????????? ????????? ????
Payanila Pallaarmun Sollal NayanilaNattaarkan Seydhalir Reedhu
English: Words without sense, where many wise men hear, to pourThan deeds to friends ungracious done offendeth more

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

To speak useless things in the presence of many is a greater evil than to do unkind things towards friends

குறள் 133

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????? ??????????? ?????????? ??????????????? ???????? ??????
Matimai Kutimaikkan Thangindhan OnnaarkkuAtimai Pukuththi Vitum
English: If sloth a dwelling find mid noble family,Bondsmen to them that hate them shall they be

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

If idleness take up its abode in a king of high birth, it will make him a slave of his enemies

குறள் 134

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Thandhai Makarkaatrum Nandri AvaiyaththuMundhi Iruppach Cheyal
English: Sire greatest boon on son confers, who makes him meet,In councils of the wise to fill the highest seat

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

The benefit which a father should confer on his son is to give him precedence in the assembly of the learned

குறள் 135

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????? ???????????? ?????? ??????????????????????? ??????? ?????
Thannai Unarththinum Kaayum PirarkkumneerInneerar Aakudhir Endru
English: I then began to soothe and coax, To calm her jealous mind;'I see', quoth she, 'to other folks How you are wondrous kind

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

???? ??????? ???? ???? ???? ?????? ???????????????, ???? ???? ``?! ???? ???????????? ???? ???????????? ?????? ?????????'' ????? ?????????????

English Explanation

'I see', quoth she, 'to other folks How you are wondrous kind' Even when I try to remove her dislike, she is displeased and says, "This is the way you behave

குறள் 136

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????? ???????????? ??????? ????????????? ?????????? ??????
Innaadhu Inaniloor Vaazhdhal AdhaninumInnaadhu Iniyaarp Pirivu
English: 'Tis sad to sojourn in the town where no kind kinsmen dwell;'Tis sadder still to bid a friend beloved farewell

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

Painful is it to live in a friendless town; but far more painful is it to part from one's lover

குறள் 137

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????? ???????????? ??????? ????????????????? ????? ?????
Arkaa Iyalpitruch Chelvam AdhupetraalArkupa Aange Seyal
English: Unenduring is all wealth; if you wealth enjoy,Enduring works in working wealth straightway employ

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

Wealth is perishable; let those who obtain it immediately practise those (virtues) which are imperishable

குறள் 138

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????? ???????????? ??????? ????????????????? ??????????? ????
Thakkaa Rinaththanaaith Thaanozhuka VallaanaichChetraar Seyakkitandha Thil
English: The king, who knows to live with worthy men allied,Has nought to fear from any foeman's pride

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

There will be nothing left for enemies to do, against him who has the power of acting (so as to secure) the fellowship of worthy men

குறள் 139

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????? ???????????? ??????? ?????????????????? ?????????? ?????
Unarva Thutaiyaarmun Sollal ValarvadhanPaaththiyul Neersorin Thatru
English: To speak where understanding hearers you obtain,Is sprinkling water on the fields of growing grain

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

Lecturing to those who have the ability to understand (for themselves) is like watering a bed of plants that are growing (of themselves)

குறள் 140

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????? ???????????? ???????? ????????????? ?????????? ?????
Ezhumai Ezhupirappum Ulluvar ThanganVizhuman Thutaiththavar Natpu
English: Through all seven worlds, in seven-fold birth, Remains in mem'ry of the wiseFriendship of those who wiped on earth, The tears of sorrow from their eyes

மு. வரதராசனார் விளக்கம்

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

சாலமன் பாப்பையா விளக்கம்

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

கலைஞர் விளக்கம்

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

English Explanation

(The wise) will remember throughout their seven-fold births the love of those who have wiped away their affliction