Poetry

Here is Valluvar’s Voice

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.

CHAPTER FORTY SIX

அதிகாரம் 46

 

ON KEEPING AWAY FROM MEAN FRIENDS

சிற்றினம் சேராமை

 

                                                                              ~*~

Original

சிற்றினம் அஞ்சும் பெருமை; சிறுமைதான்

சுற்றமாச் சூழ்ந்து விடும்.

Pronunciation

Sitrinam anjum perumai; sirumaidhaan

Sutramaach choozhndhu vidum.

Translation

.While the noble hate

The mean, the mean love the mean

The means’ ills in spate!

Comment

The nobles are in fact afraid of the people of mean behavior; the mean minded people, they treat the fellow mean minded people as relatives

                                                                              ~*~

Original

நிலத்து இயல்பால் நீர்திரிந்து அற்றாகும்;மாந்தர்க்கு

இனத்துஇயல்பது ஆகும் அறிவு.

Pronunciation

Nilaththu iyalbaal neerthirindhu atramaagum; maandharkku

Inaththu iyalbadhu aagum arivu.

Translation

Water takes the taste

Of the earth; men’s knowledge sprouts

As with whom they stand!

Comment

Water changes its quality according to the soil in which it is and that is different from its original taste and quality; similarly man’s knowledge and attitude change depending on whom they keep company.

                                                                              ~*~

Original

மனத்தான்ஆம் மாந்தர்க்கு உணர்ச்சி; இனத்தான்ஆம்

இன்னான் எனப்படும் சொல்.

Pronunciation

Manaththaanaam maandharkku uNarchi; inaththaanaam

Innaan enappadum sol.

Translation

Wisdom born in mind

Opinion on the man

Is born from his friend!

Comment

Man’s natural knowledge and wisdom depend and grow on his mind; but the opinion of others sprouts on the basis of the company one keeps.

                                                                              ~*~

Original

மனத்து உளதுபோலக் காட்டி ஒருவற்கு

இனத்துஉள தாகும் அறிவு.

Pronunciation

Manaththu uLadhupoalak kaatti oruvarkku

InaththuuLa dhaagum arivu.

Translation

Though wisdom is born

From the mind, in fact depends

On friend’s mind in turn!

Comment

One’s knowledge and wisdom appear to come out of his mind; but in fact it is shaped by the company he keeps.

                                                                              ~*~

Original

மனத்தூய்மை செய்வினை தூய்மை இரண்டும்

இனம்தூய்மை தூவா வரும்.

Pronunciation

Manaththooymai seyvinai thooymai iraNdum

Inamthooymai thoovaa varum.

Translation

Purity of deed

And mind rests on the noble

Friend he keeps indeed!

Comment

Purity of one’s thoughts and actions rests on the good and noble company one keeps.

                                                                              ~*~

Original

மனம்தூயார்க்கு எச்சம்நன் நாகும்; இனம்தூயார்க்கு

இல்லைநன்று ஆகா வினை.

Pronunciation

Manam thooyaarkku echchamnan naagum; inamthooyaarkku

Illainadru aaghaa vinai.

Translation

For the pure hearted

Noble progeny is sure

Good company yields!

Comment

For the pure and noble hearted, legacy in the form of fame and progeny will be great; that indeed depends on the company of the good and noble he keeps.

                                                                              ~*~

Original

மனநல, மன்னுயிர்க்கு ஆக்கம்; இனநலம்

எல்லாப் புகழும் தரும்.

Pronunciation

Mananala, mannuyirkku aakkam; inanalam

Ellaappugazhum tharum.

Translation

Good minded reach fame

All that is great, fine and nice!

Good friendship brings name!

Comment

When one’s mind is good and noble, he gets fame and name; when he keeps the company of the good and noble, he attains greater heights in all his life.

                                                                              ~*~

Original

மனநலம் நன்குஉடைய ராயினும் சான்றோர்க்கு

இனநலம் ஏமாப்பு உடைத்து.

Pronunciation

Mananalam nangu udaiyaraayinum saandroarkku

Inanalam aemaappu udaiththu.

Translation

Noble gets nobler

With friends noble, great and pure

Sure they are stronger!

Comment

Though one is by  nature good and great, the noble company he keeps, makes him greater and nobler sure.

                                                                              ~*~

Original

மனநலத்தின் ஆகும் மறுமை;மற் றஃதும்

இனநலத்தின் ஏமாப்பு உடைத்து.

Pronunciation

Mananalaththin aagum marumai; matrahdhum

Inanalaththin aemaappu udaiththu.

Translation

Joy in the birth next

For those who are pure in mind

Good friends make it best!

Comment

Those who are pure and noble they get all joy even in the next birth; the ones with great and good company get greater and greater.

                                                                              ~*~

Original

நல்லினத்தின் ஊங்கும் துணையில்லை; தீயினத்தின்

அல்லற் படுப்பதூஉம் இல்.

Pronunciation

Nallinaththin oongum thuNaiyillai; theeyinaththin

Allar paduppadhoom il.

Translation

Nice friends bring the best

All depends on the friendship

Bad ones bring the worst!

Comment

One has nothing greater than the good company that brings all the best and for the bad ones nothing can be worse than the bad company he keeps that brings nothing but misery.

3 Comments

  1. O K R Sivagnanam

    Commandments of Thiruvalluvar on Keeping Away from Mean Friends and its English translation by Shri. N V Subbaraman are for us to follow and ensure great rewards like:

    A well-meaning Behaviour,
    A pristine Knowledge,
    Good Opinions,
    True Wisdom,
    Nobility in Thought and Deed,
    A noble Self and Progeny,
    Greatness of Name and Fame,
    Joy even in Next Birth, and
    How Good or Bad We are!

    What else do we need to have in our life ?

  2. It is the good company like your good self that we had elevated us officially and mentally(பெரியாரைத்துணைக்கோடலின் செயல் விளைவுத்திறன் ). Translation and content creation are wonderful.

  3. Thanks Shri OKRS and CK. I am grateful to you.