Following is the translation of Thirukkural, a discourse on ethics, its author is Tamil poet and philosopher Thiruvalluvar who lived around 3rd Century. It’s translation is done by Mr. NV Subbaraman, he lives in Chennai.
~*~
Original
அறிவற்றம் காக்கும் கருவி; செறுவார்க்கும்
உள்ளழிக்கல் ஆகா அறம்.
Pronunciation
Arivatram kaakkum karuvi seruvaarkkum
ULLazhikkal aakaa aram.
Translation
Wisdom wards off woes
Weapon that guards like a fort
Keeps away the foes!
Comment
Wisdom helps to come out of all woes. It is a great fortress that protects us from the foes and enemies.
~*~
Original
சென்ற இடத்தால் செலவிடா தீதுஒரீஇ
நன்றின்பால் உய்ப்பது அறிவு.
Pronunciation
Sendra idaththaal selavidaa theedhu ore
Nandrinpaal uyppadhu arivu.
Translation
Knowledge keeps control
Over senses that stray, – saves
And guides in the world!
Comment
Wisdom helps control the senses that go astray, saves us from wrong doings, and guides us in the righteous path.
~*~
Original
எப்பொருள் யார்யார்வாய்க் கேட்பினும் அப்பொருள்
மெய்ப்பொருள் காண்பது அறிவு.
Pronunciation
EpporuL yaaryaarvaayk kaetpinum apporuL
MeypporuL kaaNbadhu arivu.
Translation
Wise it is to grasp
The truth from all we hear
Success sure they clasp!
Comment
Whatever we hear from others we are not to take it on the face of it, but find out the truth and accept and that indeed is wisdom.
~*~
Original
எண்பொருள வாகச் செலச்சொல்லித் தான்பிறர் வாய்
நுண்பொருள் காண்பது அறிவு.
Pronunciation
ENporuLa vaaga selachchollith than pirar vaay
NuNporuL kaaNbadhu arivu.
Translation
Wisdom lies in words
Said and understood subtle
And clear, wins the worlds!
Comment
Wisdom lies in speaking with clarity and listening understanding even subtle matters clearly and that helps in success in the world.
~*~
Original
உலகம் தழீஇயது ஒட்பம்; மலர்தலும்
கூம்பலும் இல்லது அறிவு.
Pronunciation
Ulagam thazheeyadhu otpam; malardhalum
Kumbalum illadhu arivu.
Translation
Wisdom makes friendship
With the wise and noble that
Never blooms or glooms!
Comment
Wisdom helps in choosing right type of friends with the wise and noble and it does not blossom or wither away but remains constant.
~*~
Original
எவ்வது உறைவது உலகம்:; உலகத்தோடு
அவ்வது உறைவது அறிவு.
Pronunciation
Evvadhu uraivadhu ulagam; ulagaththoadu
Avvadhu urauvadhu arivu.
Translation
Wisdom demands life
As lived by the great and good
Go with their tenets nice!
Comment
Wisdom lies in following the footsteps of the great and noble and organize life and living as per their advice.
~*~
Original
அறிவுடையார் ஆவது அறிவார்; அறிவிலார்
அஃதுஅறி கல்லா தவர்.
Pronunciation
Arivudaiyaar aavadhu arivaar; arivilaar
Ahudharivu kallaa thavar.
Translation
The wise can foresee
And guard from future dangers
Fools cannot and grieve!
Comment
People with wisdom can foresee the things to come including problems, woes and risks and guard themselves from the onslaught whereas fools can never.
~*~
Original
அஞ்சுவது அஞ்சாமை பேதைமை; அஞ்சுவது
அஞ்சல் அறிவார் தொழில்.
Pronunciation
Anjuvadhu anjaamai paedhaimai; anjuvadhu
Anjal arivaar thozhil.
Translation
Foolish not to fear
Things to be feared; wise do
Shed not a tear!
Comment
It is foolish not to fear the really fearful things; the wise take care of it and never grieve.
~*~
Original
எதிரதாக் காக்கும் அறிவிலார்க்கு இல்லை
அதிர வருவதோர் நோய்.
Pronunciation
Edhiradhaak kaakkum arivilaarkku illai
Adhira varuvadhoar noay.
Translation
Future holds no shocks
As the wise foresee and guard
Others face the knocks!
Comment
The wise who can see and anticipate the shocks of the future and prepare themselves will have no grief.
~*~
Original
அறிவுடையார் எல்லாம் உடையார்; அறிவிலார்
என்னுடைய ரேனும் இலர்.
Pronunciation
Arivudaiyaar ellaam udaiyaar; arivilaar
Ennudaiya raenum ilar.
Translation
The wise have it all
Though none; fools have none with all
Sure the wise stand tall!
Comment
The wise people have everything on earth even though they have nothing in fact; fools have practically nothing even if they have all.
Indian Periodical
Indian Periodical
` The wise people have everything on earth even though they have nothing in fact; fools have practically nothing even if they have all ` . Man is keen to acquire so many possessions in life but it is WISDOM that man should strive most to acquire and possess . Study of Tirukural helps man to acquire WISDOM . Subbaraman helps the non Tamilians to study Tirukural through his translation . It is a laudable service .
Thanks Mr. Ramani for your comment.
Here is a message by way of feedback on HERE IS VOICE OF VALLUVAR received from Dr. Veda Viswanathan from the University of Maryland, USA.
Mr. Subbaraman:
It is indeed a great pleasure to know of your existence and the noble work that you have been doing in spreading the value of Thirukkural. I have enjoyed reading both the links that you have sent and will be sending your Kural translation to my children as and when I get them so that they do not lose out.
Needless to say that I am very impressed by the literary flavor and pray to the Almighty that you enjoy a long and cherished life in your endeavors.
With kind regards,
Veda Viswanathan, MD, FRCP(Lon), FACP, FACG, AGAF
Chief of Gastroenterology
University of Maryland Upper Cheasapeake Health Systems
Director, Harford Endoscopy Center
Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology
University of Maryland School of Medicine