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 and comments are done by N V Subbaraman who lives in Chennai.
Chapter 60
Energy
அதிகாரம் 60.
ஊக்கமுடைமை
(ஊக்கம் உடையவராக இருத்தல்)
Original
உடையர் எனப்படுவது; ஊக்கம்அஃது இல்லார்
உடையது உடையரோ மற்று?
Pronunciation
Udaiyarenappatuvadhu ookkam; ahdhu illaar
Udaiyadhu udaiyaroa matru.
Translation
They indeed are those
Who have energy plenty
Others just empty!
Comment
Only those who have energy deserve to be described as haves; others whatever have, they mean nothing.
~*~
Original
உள்ளம் உடைமை உடைமை; பொருள்உடைமை
நில்லாது நீங்கி விடும்.
Pronunciation
ULLamudaimai udaimai; portuL udaimai
Nillaadhu neengi vidum.
Translation
Mental energy
Indeed is wealth; all others
Simply leave away.
Comment
Possessing mental energy is a wealth permanent; all other possessions are temporary and even ascent.
~*~
Original
ஆக்கம் இழந்தேம்என்று அல்லாவார்; ஊக்கம்
ஒருவந்தம் கைத்துஉடை யார்.
Pronunciation
Aakkam izandhaem enru allaavaar; ookkam
Oruvandham kaiththu udai yaar.
Translation
Those with energy
As wealth mind not the loss of
Material wealth.
Comment
Those who value and possess the wealthy energy, never feel sorry for the loss of material wealth in life.
~*~
Original
ஆக்கம் அதர்வினாய்ச் செல்லும்; அசைவிலா
ஊக்கம் உடையான் உழை.
Pronunciation
Aakkam adharvinaaycellum; asaivilaa
Ookkam udaiyaan uzhai.
Translation
To energetic
Fortune visits on its own
With wealth holistic.
Comment
Fortune in the form of wealth knocks at the doors of energetic and enthusiastic people on its own without being asked for.
~*~
Original
வெள்ளத்து அனைய மலர்நீட்டம்; மாந்தர்தம்
உள்ளத்து அனையது உயர்வு.
Pronunciation
VeLLaththu anaiya malarneettam maandhar tham
ULLaththu anaiyadhu uyarvu.
Translation
Lotus height water’s
Man’s height of greatness depends
On energy’s height!
Comment
Just as the height of the lotus on water depends on the depth of water, man’s greatness depends on the height of his energy and enthusiasm.
~*~
Original
உள்ளுவது எல்லாம் உயர்வுஉள்ளல்; மற்றுஅது
தள்ளினும் தள்ளாமை நன்று.
Pronunciation
ULLuvadhau ellaam uyarvu uLLa; matru adhu
ThaLLinum thaLLaamai nanru.
Translation
Think high forever
Though fail to realize it
Leave and aim higher!
Comment
One must always think tall and aim high. Though meets with failure, one should not give up thinking high and making efforts to achieve that high aim and goal.
~*~
Original
சிதைவுஇடத்து ஒல்கார் உரவோர்; புதையம்பின்
பட்டுப்பாடு ஊன்றும் களிறு.
Pronunciation
Sidahaivu idaththu olkaar uravoar; pudshayambin
Pattuppaadu oonrum kaLiru.
Translation
Firm is elephant
Though hit hard; tire not the great
When failed but go on!
Comment
Just as elephants though hit carry on with its fight, the individuals though fail should carry on with energy and enthusiasm till they achieve the aim and reach the goal.
~*~
Original
உள்ளம் இலாதவர் எய்தார் உலகத்து
வள்ளியம் என்னும் செருக்கு.
Pronunciation
ULLam ilaadhavareydhaar ulagaththu
VaLLiyam ennum serukku.
Translation
Non energetic
Can never claim greatness here
In this world and birth.
Comment
Men without energy and enthusiasm cannot claim for any greatness for being liberal and philanthropist.
~*~
Original
பரியது கூர்ங்கோட்டது ஆயினும் யானை
வெரூஉம் புலிதாக் குறின்.
Pronunciation
Pariyadhu koorngoattadhu aayoinum yaanai
Veroom puli thakkurin.
Translation
With all its strength great
Elephant falls; when tiger
With energy attacks.
Comment
A strong elephant with its huge body and sharp tusk gets defeated when a lesser stronger tiger but with great energy and enthusiasm attacks the elephant.
~*~
Original
உரம்ஒருவற்கு உள்ள வெறுக்கை; அஃதுஇல்லார்
மரம்;மக்கள் ஆதலே வேறு.
Pronunciation
Uramoruvarkku uLLa verukkai; ahdhuillaar
Maram’ makkaL aadhalae vaeru.
Translation
Mental energy
Makes the man great and tall sure
Lest a log of wood.
Comment
Man’s real strength indeed is his energy and enthusiasm; lest he is just a log of wood. His look is just that of a human being.
Indian Periodical
Indian Periodical
Reading Valluvar’s on energy and enthusiasm energizes your thinking and outlook. It is like mental energizing exercises rejuvenating your whole being. Thanks Sh Subbaraman Ji for bringing to us great thoughts of great poet.
Thiruvallluvar had safely packed the inherent power of ENERGY in a capsule form;
And you nicely shared it in your unique way for the benefit of viewers!
Can a man be just a log of wood?
Never!
The mental energy he gathered makes him powerful and enduring like a strong elephant to enable him to think high and big, and achieve the meaningful wealth, as the legitimate fruits of labor!
Thanks Shri Chaudarysab and Sivangnam for your kind response.