Thirukkural · பொருட்பால் · குடியியல்

குடிசெயல் வகை: The Way of Maintaining the Family

Chapter 103 of 133 (Kutiseyalvakai) · Wealth · Miscellaneous · Kurals 1021 to 1030

About this chapter

குடிசெயல் வகை, the way of maintaining the family, is about taking responsibility to raise and protect one's family (குடி). The chapter's keywords are effort, knowledge and resolve.

Kural 1021 says that there is no greater dignity than saying "I will not slacken my hand" in one's duty. Kural 1022 says a family rises through long effort combined with wise judgement. Kural 1023 says that the goddess herself girds up and goes ahead of one who resolves to raise his family, and Kural 1024 adds that such tireless effort succeeds almost of itself. Kural 1025 says the world gathers around a blameless person who builds his family up, as though they were kin. Kural 1026 defines true capability (ஆண்மை) as making one's house the best, and Kural 1027 compares those who carry the family's burden to brave soldiers at the front. Kural 1028 warns that there is no right season for those who work for the family, and that laziness and false pride ruin it. Kural 1029 asks whether such a person's body is only a vessel of suffering, and Kural 1030 ends with the image of a family without a strong prop falling at the first blow of misfortune.

Kural 1021 and Kural 1028 are the two to learn. Both are short statements of persistence.

For the syllabus, it fits universal values, particularly duty and perseverance.

The 10 kurals of குடிசெயல் வகை

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.

Kural 1021

கருமம் செயஒருவன் கைதூவேன் என்னும்
பெருமையின் பீடுடையது இல்.

Karumam Seyaoruvan Kaidhooven Ennum
Perumaiyin Peetutaiyadhu Il

Who says 'I'll do my work, nor slack my hand', His greatness, clothed with dignity supreme, shall stand

Kural 1022

ஆள்வினையும் ஆன்ற அறிவும் எனஇரண்டின்
நீள்வினையால் நீளும் குடி.

Aalvinaiyum Aandra Arivum Enairantin
Neelvinaiyaal Neelum Kuti

The manly act and knowledge full, when these combineIn deed prolonged, then lengthens out the race's line

Kural 1023

குடிசெய்வல் என்னும் ஒருவற்குத் தெய்வம்
மடிதற்றுத் தான்முந் துறும்.

Kutiseyval Ennum Oruvarkuth Theyvam
Matidhatruth Thaanmun Thurum

'I'll make my race renowned,' if man shall say, With vest succinct the goddess leads the way

Kural 1024

சூழாமல் தானே முடிவெய்தும் தம்குடியைத்
தாழாது உஞற்று பவர்க்கு.

Soozhaamal Thaane Mutiveydhum Thamkutiyaith
Thaazhaadhu Ugnatru Pavarkku

Who labours for his race with unremitting pain, Without a thought spontaneously, his end will gain

Kural 1025

குற்றம் இலனாய்க் குடிசெய்து வாழ்வானைச்
சுற்றமாச் சுற்றும் உலகு.

Kutram Ilanaaik Kutiseydhu Vaazhvaanaich
Chutramaach Chutrum Ulaku

With blameless life who seeks to build his race's fame, The world shall circle him, and kindred claim

Kural 1026

நல்லாண்மை என்பது ஒருவற்குத் தான்பிறந்த
இல்லாண்மை ஆக்கிக் கொளல்.

Nallaanmai Enpadhu Oruvarkuth Thaanpirandha
Illaanmai Aakkik Kolal

Of virtuous manliness the world accords the praiseTo him who gives his powers, the house from which he sprang to raise

Kural 1027

அமரகத்து வன்கண்ணர் போலத் தமரகத்தும்
ஆற்றுவார் மேற்றே பொறை.

Amarakaththu Vankannar Polath Thamarakaththum
Aatruvaar Metre Porai

The fearless hero bears the brunt amid the warrior throng; Amid his kindred so the burthen rests upon the strong

Kural 1028

குடிசெய்வார்க் கில்லை பருவம் மடிசெய்து
மானங் கருதக் கெடும்.

Kutiseyvaark Killai Paruvam Matiseydhu
Maanang Karudhak Ketum

Wait for no season, when you would your house uprear;'Twill perish, if you wait supine, or hold your honour dear

Kural 1029

இடும்பைக்கே கொள்கலம் கொல்லோ குடும்பத்தைக்
குற்ற மறைப்பான் உடம்பு.

Itumpaikke Kolkalam Kollo Kutumpaththaik
Kutra Maraippaan Utampu

Is not his body vase that various sorrows fill, Who would his household screen from every ill

Kural 1030

இடுக்கண்கால் கொன்றிட வீழும் அடுத்தூன்றும்
நல்லாள் இலாத குடி.

Itukkankaal Kondrita Veezhum Atuththoondrum
Nallaal Ilaadha Kuti

When trouble the foundation saps the house must fall, If no strong hand be nigh to prop the tottering wall

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