During their recent visit to India, my brother Raghu and his wife Chandra asked me to write more articles based on ThirukKural as they found, for those who have not had the fortune to read the original in Tamil, the extracts with translation and commentary that I give are really an eye-opener to good living.
66.Kuzhal inithu yazh inidu enbar tham makkal
Mazhalai chol keladavar
Meaning: Only those who haven't heard and enjoyed the lisping prattle of their children will say that the flute and the veena are sweet!
In this Kural the soft and .melifluous flow of the words is in keeping with the theme viz. .,the lisping of the child.Even the melody of musical instrument stands no comparison to the prattle of a baby.
90.Moppak kuzhaiyum anicham mukamtirinthu
Nokkak kuzhaiyum virundu.
Meaning:The delicate blossom 'anicham' (a flower) withers away even on smelling.A sensitive guest shrinks from the unwelcome look of the host!
This Kural wants us to treat our guests as delicately as we would treat a sensitive flower.The imagery and comparison described here are among the best that we have come across in any literature.
100.Iniya ula agha innathakooral
Kani iruppa kaay kavrnthatru.
Meaning: Using harsh words instead of kind ones is like going in for raw fruits when ripe fruits are avalable. When sweet ripe mango is available, will anyone go for kuchcha mango?
475.Peeli pey sagadum achchu irum appandam
Saala miguthu peyin
Meaning: Too great a load of even peacock feathers will break the axle tree ofthe cart.
This incisive comparison warns against over confidence and over-exhibition of one's own strength.
490.Kokku okka koombum paruvathu matru adhan
Kuththu okka seertha idathu.
Meaning: Bide your time in the manner of the stork waiting for its prey, but when the prey is spotted act with swift and sure aim. A person wanting to suceed in life has to be patient and bide his/her time till the right opportunity occurs.
964.Thalaiyin izhidha mayir anaiar maandhar
Nilaiyin izhindhak kadai
Meaning: Men who have fallen off from their high and noble estate will rate as hair that has fallen off the head.
The hair on the head is a thing of beauty.Removed from its place it becomes filth.The same is the fate of men/woman, who descend from their own level of honourable conduct and demean themselves. Can anyone carry conviction better than this?
R.Narasimhan
http://www.sparthasarathy.com/naunetnews/022007/0207kannan.html
February 2007
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