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. Its translation is done by Mr. NV Subbaraman, he lives in Chennai.

Chapter 51

Judging the people for confidence

 

அதிகாரம் 51

தெரிந்து தெளிதல்

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Original

அறம்பொருள் இன்பம் உயிர் அச்சம் நான்கின்

திறம் தெறிந்து தேறப் படும்.

Pronunciation

AramporuL inbam uyirachcham naangin

Thiram therindhu thaerappadum.

Translation

Virtue, wealth, pleasure

Fear of life judge by these four

Trust truth in measure.

Comment

Only after judging the foursome-virtue, wealth, pleasure and fear of life in one, we can assess whether one is capable for a given assignment.

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Original

குடிப்பிறந்து குற்றத்தின் நீங்கி வடுப்பரியும்

நாண்உடையான் கட்டே தெளிவு.

Pronunciation

Kudippirandhu kutraththin neengi vaduppariyum

NaaNudaiyaan kattae theLivu.

Translation

Spotless name in one’s

Noble birth and a sense of

Shame in doing wrong

Is the person right to the

Choice for success strong.

Comment

We can confidently believe a person to accomplish a good assignment, if he comes of a family noble and spotless character and who is afraid of doing wrong and hence abstains from the same.

 

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Original

அறியகற்று ஆகஅற்றார் கண்ணும் தெரியுங்கால்

இன்மை அறிதே வெளிறு.

Pronunciation

Ariyakatru aaga atraar kaNNum theriyungaal

Inmai aridhae veLiru.

Translation

Though they are scholars

Great, seldom many are free

From ignorance clear!

Comment

Even in highly learned and free from all other blemishes, trace of ignorance is seen.

 

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Original

குணம்நாடிக் குற்றமும் நாடி, அவற்றுள்

மிகைநாடி மிக்கக் கொளல்.

Pronunciation

GuNam naadik kutramum naadi avatruL

Migai naadi mikkak koLal.

Translation

Man’s good and bad be

Weighed and judge by the virtues

Prevailing more sure be.

Comment

One has to analyze the other’s good and bad and conclude about him on the basis of the quantum of the same.

 

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Original

பெருமைக்கும் ஏனைச் சிறுமைக்கும் தம்தம்

கருமமே கட்டளைக் கல்.

Pronunciation

Perumaikkum aenaichcirumaikkum thamtham

Karumamae kattaLaikkal.

Translation

Deeds are the touchstone

That shows very clear that

He is tall or mean.

Comment

To assess a person whether is tall or mean, god or bad touchstone is his quality of deeds and actions.

 

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Original

அற்றாரைத் தேறுதல் ஓம்புக; மற்றுஅவர்

பற்றிலர்;நாணார் பழி.

Pronunciation

Atraaraith thaerudhal oambuga; matru avar

Patrilar naaNaar pazi.

Translation

Choose not one sans kin

He knows no love or respect

Never stays from sin.

Comment

Let us not chose the one to be friendly with who has no friends and relatives, kith and kin as he knows not what love or affection is.

 

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Original

காதன்மை கந்தா அறிவுஅறியார் தேறுதல்

பேதைமை எல்லாம் தரும்.

Pronunciation

Kaadhanmai kandhaa arivuariyaar thaerudhal

Paedhaimai ellaam tharum.

Translation

Just because one shows a little love, if we choose him to be our friend without analyzing other aspects, that friendship will lead to miseries.

 

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Original

தேரான் பிறனைத் தெளிந்தான் வழிமுறை

தீரா  இடும்பை தரும்.

Pronunciation

Thaeraan piranaith theLindhaanvazimurai

Theeraa idumbai tharum.

Translation

Trusting a man blind

Unknown and untried sure leads

To miseries that bind.

Comment

Without analyzing, it is not right to trust the unknown and untried persons. It brings miseries not only the person who believes but his descendents too.

 

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Original

தேறற்க யாரையும் தேராது; தேர்ந்தபின்

தேறுக தேறும் பொருள்.

Pronunciation

Thaerarka yaaraiyum thaeraadhu; thaerndhapin

Thaeruga thaerum poruL.

Translation

Trust not a person

Sans testing; on test fail not

To give work for certain.

Comment

Whoever it is test him before trusting, and once found fit fail not to use him right for all the right things sure..

 

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Original

தேரான் தெளிவும் தெளிந்தான்கண் ஐயுறவும்

தீரா இடும்பை தரும்.

Pronunciation

Thaeraan theLivum theLindhaankaN aiyuravum

Theeraa idumbai tharum.

Translation

Trusting the doubtful

And doubting the trusted both

Are ever harmful.

Comment

Totally believing a person without testing his credentials and doubting the already tested and trusted both are bound to lead to grief and miseries.

 

4 Comments

  1. Seek the virtuous and noble, feeling sorry for committing mistakes in life ;
    Be known, no one is free from total ignorance, scholarly not excluded ;
    Make an in-depth analysis of one’s deeds, good and bad,and his capacity for love and respect;
    Trust not the doubtful, and doubt not the trusted, and make the latter useful in ways
    possible!

    This is how Thiruvalluvar guides us to judge people and then make them friendlier!
    A good translation from Shri. NVS!

  2. Thanks Shri Sivanganam

  3. Great prescriptions on life,love,friendship,trust and many more acts of wisdom and choosing the right! Essence of these aspects are well brought out keeping the native meaning intact. My congrats to you sir for your efforts.

  4. Thanks Prasad.