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 58
BENIGN LOOKS
அதிகாரம் 58
கண்ணோட்டம்
(இரக்கம்)
~*~
Original
கண்ணோட்டம் என்னும் கழிபெரும் காரிகை
உண்மையான் உண்டுஇவ் வுலகு.
Pronunciation
KaNNoattam ennum kazhiperum kaarigai
UNmaiyaan uNduiv vulagu.
Translation
Living in the world
Possible because of the
Benign eyes bold.
Comment
This world remains great only because it has the beauty of benign looks called compassion.
~*~
Original
கண்ணோட்டத்து உள்ளது உலகியல்;அஃதிலார்
உண்மை நிலக்குப் பொறை.
Pronunciation
kaNNoattaththu uLLadhu ulagiyal ahudhilaar
UNmai nilakkup porai.
Translation
World lives by the birth
Of those with benign looks great
Sans, burden on earth.
Comment
The world goes on only because of benign looks/compassion; otherwise if the people do not possess, they are nothing but a burden on the earth.
~*~
Original
பண்என்னாம் பாடற்கு இறையின்றேல்; கண் என்னாம்
கண்ணோட்டம் இல்லாத கண்.
Pronunciation
PaNennaam paadaarkku iraiyinrael kaNennAm
KaNNoattam illaadha kaN.
Translation
Song sans tune no use
Sans gracious looks of man
Sure no use of eyes?
Comment
There is no song without a tune; similarly there is no use if the eyes do not have benign looks.
~*~
Original
உளபோல் முகத்துஎவன் செய்யும் அளவினால்
கண்ணோட்டம் இல்லாத கண்.
Pronunciation
ULapoal mugaththueven seyyum aLavinaal
KaNNoattam illaadha kaN.
Translation
Except eyes on face
What are there for eyes without
Rightly measured grace?
Comment
There is no use if the eyes simply look as eyes without benign looks/compassion.
~*~
Original
கண்ணிற்கு அணிகலன் கண்ணோட்டம்; அஃதின்றேல்
புண்ணென்று உணரப் படும்.
Pronunciation
KaNNirku aNikalan kaNNOattam ahdhinrel
PuNNenru uNarap padum
Translation
Ornament for eyes
Indeed kind and benign looks
Sans deemed simple soars!
Comment
Ornament for the eyes are benign look/compassion; lest the eyes are nothing but soars.
~*~
Original
மண்ணோடு இயைந்த மரத்தனையர் கண்ணோடு
இயைந்துகண் ணோடா தவர்.
Pronunciation
MaNNoadu iyaindha maraththanaiyar kaNNoadu
Iyaindhu kaNNoadaadhavar.
Translation
Like useless trees they
Are on earth whose eyes have
No kindness to show.
Comment
Eyes that should have benign looks/compassion do not possess it they are nothing but useless trees on earth.
~*~
Original
கண்ணோட்டம் இல்லவர் கண்ணிலர்; கண்ணுடையார்
கண்ணோட்டம் இன்மையும் இல்.
Pronunciation
KaNNoattam illavar kaNNilar; kaNNudaiyaar
KaNNoattam inm,aiyum il.
Translation
Ungracious men
Lack eyes but men of real eyes
Shower benign grace.
Comment
Though they have eyes, they will be deemed to be eye-less if they do not possess benign looks/compassion. Only those who are blessed with, will be deemed to have eyes.
~*~
Original
கருமம் சிதையாமல் கண்ணோட வல்லார்க்கு
உரிமை உடைத்துஇவ் வுலகு.
Pronunciation
Karumam sidahiyaamal kaNNoada vallaarkku
Urimai udaiththuiv vulagu.
Translation
Those are gracious
And are dutiful have rights
On earth beauteous!
Comment
The world will be theirs for those who have benign looks/compassion without prejudice to their work/duties.
~*~
Original
ஒறுத்து ஆற்றும் பண்பினார் கண்ணும்கண் ணோடிப்
பொறுத்துஆற்றும் பண்பே தலை.
Pronunciation
Oruththu aatrum paNbinaar kaNNumkaN Noadip
Poruththuaatrum paNbae thalai.
Translation
To be benign
And put up with foes indeed
Are top virtuous!
Comment
That indeed is at the top of the virtues where there is benign look and shows compassion even for the enemies excusing their mistakes.
~*~
Original
பெயக்கண்டும் நஞ்சுஉண்டு அமைவர் நயத்தக்க
நாகரிகம் வேண்டு பவர்.
Pronunciation
PeyakkaNdum nanju uNdu amaivar nayaththakka
Naagarigam vaeNdu bavar.
Translation
When poison offered
Men of graceful courtesy
Take and look cheerfull.
Comment
Those who like benign looks/compassion will not mind taking even poison offered by others.
English translation is crisp, not deviating, poetic and excellent. Hope it is done by the poet himself. Thirukkural 1800 years old, a Jain wrote this and stands as geetha of Tamils
Thanks Shri Chettiyar. That is one view on Thiruvalluvar. Translation is very much mine in HAIKU format-5-7-5 format.
very good translation. Last verse.
One should not accept poison, offered by a person. Why should he, in the name of
compassion, allow himself to be murdered? It sounds illogical and goes
against basic common sense .Swami Vivekananda has said; The maxim
“Resist not evil” is not applicable to householders. One of the golden
sayings of Sadhguru of Jnanananda giri of Thirukoilur is;
“show compassion, but do not get deceived.”
Thanks.
What a complete definition for COMPASSION!
It’s one more feather in the cap!
The COMPASSIONATE –
*refreshes and owns the whole world ;
*renders his/her eyes useful ;
*is considered a tree of use to people ;
*makes himself /herself enjoyable to others,
the way only a song with tunes appeals to the ears;and
*entertains no enemies as such!!!