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கடவுள் வாழ்த்து: The Praise of God
About this chapter
கடவுள் வாழ்த்து is the invocation that opens the Thirukkural. It praises the divine through descriptive epithets rather than a personal name, and argues that learning, peace of mind and release from the cycle of births all rest on reaching "the feet" (அடி, தாள்) of the Supreme.
Kural 1 compares God to the letter அ, first among letters and first in the world. Kural 2 asks what use all learning is without worship of the one of "pure knowledge" (வாலறிவன்). Kurals 3 to 6 list what follows for those who reach those feet: a long and flourishing life, freedom from sorrow (Kural 4), freedom from the hold of good and bad deeds (Kural 5), and a life that follows the faultless conduct of one who has mastered the five senses (Kural 6). Kurals 7 and 8 repeat a "none but these can" pattern, saying that anxiety of mind and the sea that must be crossed cannot be overcome except through the incomparable one. Kural 9 speaks of the eight attributes (எண்குணம்), and Kural 10 closes with the image of the great sea of births (பிறவிப் பெருங்கடல்).
Kural 1 is the one to know first, for the letter comparison and because it opens the whole work. Kural 10 has the chapter's most vivid image.
For the syllabus, the chapter's use of epithets instead of a named deity fits the description of the Thirukkural as secular literature with universal values.
The 10 kurals of கடவுள் வாழ்த்து
Each kural is shown in Tamil with a transliteration and G. U. Pope's English verse translation. Open a kural for its plain English meaning.
அகர முதல எழுத்தெல்லாம் ஆதி
பகவன் முதற்றே உலகு.
Akara Mudhala Ezhuththellaam Aadhi
Pakavan Mudhatre Ulaku
A, as its first of letters, every speech maintains; The "Primal Deity" is first through all the world's domains
கற்றதனால் ஆய பயனென்கொல் வாலறிவன்
நற்றாள் தொழாஅர் எனின்.
Katradhanaal Aaya Payanenkol Vaalarivan
Natraal Thozhaaar Enin
No fruit have men of all their studied lore, Save they the 'Purely Wise One's' feet adore
மலர்மிசை ஏகினான் மாணடி சேர்ந்தார்
நிலமிசை நீடுவாழ் வார்.
Malarmisai Ekinaan Maanati Serndhaar
Nilamisai Neetuvaazh Vaar
His feet, 'Who o'er the full-blown flower hath past,' who gainIn bliss long time shall dwell above this earthly plain
வேண்டுதல் வேண்டாமை இலானடி சேர்ந்தார்க்கு
யாண்டும் இடும்பை இல.
Ventudhal Ventaamai Ilaanati Serndhaarkku
Yaantum Itumpai Ila
His foot, 'Whom want affects not, irks not grief,' who gainShall not, through every time, of any woes complain
இருள்சேர் இருவினையும் சேரா இறைவன்
பொருள்சேர் புகழ்புரிந்தார் மாட்டு.
Irulser Iruvinaiyum Seraa Iraivan
Porulser Pukazhpurindhaar Maattu
The men, who on the 'King's' true praised delight to dwell, Affects not them the fruit of deeds done ill or well
பொறிவாயில் ஐந்தவித்தான் பொய்தீர் ஒழுக்க
நெறிநின்றார் நீடுவாழ் வார்.
Porivaayil Aindhaviththaan Poidheer Ozhukka
Nerinindraar Neetuvaazh Vaar
Long live they blest, who 've stood in path from falsehood freed; His, 'Who quenched lusts that from the sense-gates five proceed'
தனக்குவமை இல்லாதான் தாள்சேர்ந்தார்க் கல்லால்
மனக்கவலை மாற்றல் அரிது.
Thanakkuvamai Illaadhaan Thaalserndhaark Kallaal
Manakkavalai Maatral Aridhu
Unless His foot, 'to Whom none can compare,' men gain,'Tis hard for mind to find relief from anxious pain
அறவாழி அந்தணன் தாள்சேர்ந்தார்க் கல்லால்
பிறவாழி நீந்தல் அரிது.
Aravaazhi Andhanan Thaalserndhaark Kallaal
Piravaazhi Neendhal Aridhu
Unless His feet 'the Sea of Good, the Fair and Bountiful,' men gain,'Tis hard the further bank of being's changeful sea to attain
கோளில் பொறியின் குணமிலவே எண்குணத்தான்
தாளை வணங்காத் தலை.
Kolil Poriyin Kunamilave Enkunaththaan
Thaalai Vanangaath Thalai
Before His foot, 'the Eight-fold Excellence,' with unbent head, Who stands, like palsied sense, is to all living functions dead
பிறவிப் பெருங்கடல் நீந்துவர் நீந்தார்
இறைவன் அடிசேரா தார்.
Piravip Perungatal Neendhuvar Neendhaar
Iraivan Atiseraa Thaar
They swim the sea of births, the 'Monarch's' foot who gain; None others reach the shore of being's mighty main
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