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செய்ந்நன்றியறிதல்: Gratitude
About this chapter
செய்ந்நன்றியறிதல், gratitude, is about remembering a kindness received and repaying it. Several of its kurals are widely quoted.
Kural 101 says that help given without any earlier favour cannot be repaid even with earth and heaven. Kurals 102 to 105 then discuss how to value a favour: a timely favour, though small, is bigger than the world (Kural 102), help given without weighing the return is greater than the sea (Kural 103), and a gift as small as a millet seed should look as large as a palm to the one who understands (Kural 104). Kural 105 adds that a favour is measured by the worth of the person who received it. Kurals 106 and 107 turn to friends: do not forsake those who stood by you in trouble, and remember through seven births those who wiped away your grief. Kurals 108 and 109 give the rule for memory, to forget wrongs at once and to remember kindness, so that even a serious injury fades before the thought of one good turn. Kural 110 closes with a warning that the ungrateful have no escape.
Kural 108 and Kural 110 are the two to know first. Kural 104, with its millet seed and palm fruit, is the most vivid.
For the syllabus, the chapter fits universal values and personal conduct.
The 10 kurals of செய்ந்நன்றியறிதல்
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.
செய்யாமல் செய்த உதவிக்கு வையகமும்
வானகமும் ஆற்றல் அரிது.
Seyyaamal Seydha Udhavikku Vaiyakamum
Vaanakamum Aatral Aridhu
Assistance given by those who ne'er received our aid, Is debt by gift of heaven and earth but poorly paid
காலத்தி னாற்செய்த நன்றி சிறிதெனினும்
ஞாலத்தின் மாணப் பெரிது.
Kaalaththi Naarseydha Nandri Siridheninum
Gnaalaththin Maanap Peridhu
A timely benefit, -though thing of little worth, The gift itself, -in excellence transcends the earth
பயன்தூக்கார் செய்த உதவி நயன்தூக்கின்
நன்மை கடலின் பெரிது.
Payandhookkaar Seydha Udhavi Nayandhookkin
Nanmai Katalin Peridhu
Kindness shown by those who weigh not what the return may be:When you ponder right its merit, 'Tis vaster than the sea
தினைத்துணை நன்றி செயினும் பனைத்துணையாக்
கொள்வர் பயன்தெரி வார்.
Thinaiththunai Nandri Seyinum Panaiththunaiyaak
Kolvar Payandheri Vaar
Each benefit to those of actions' fruit who rightly deem, Though small as millet-seed, as palm-tree vast will seem
உதவி வரைத்தன்று உதவி உதவி
செயப்பட்டார் சால்பின் வரைத்து.
Udhavi Varaiththandru Udhavi Udhavi
Seyappattaar Saalpin Varaiththu
The kindly aid's extent is of its worth no measure true; Its worth is as the worth of him to whom the act you do
மறவற்க மாசற்றார் கேண்மை துறவற்க
துன்பத்துள் துப்பாயார் நட்பு.
Maravarka Maasatraar Kenmai Thuravarka
Thunpaththul Thuppaayaar Natpu
Kindness of men of stainless soul remember evermoreForsake thou never friends who were thy stay in sorrow sore
எழுமை எழுபிறப்பும் உள்ளுவர் தங்கண்
விழுமந் துடைத்தவர் நட்பு.
Ezhumai Ezhupirappum Ulluvar Thangan
Vizhuman Thutaiththavar Natpu
Through all seven worlds, in seven-fold birth, Remains in mem'ry of the wiseFriendship of those who wiped on earth, The tears of sorrow from their eyes
நன்றி மறப்பது நன்றன்று நன்றல்லது
அன்றே மறப்பது நன்று.
Nandri Marappadhu Nandrandru Nandralladhu
Andre Marappadhu Nandru
'Tis never good to let the thought of good things done thee pass away; Of things not good, 'tis good to rid thy memory that very day
கொன்றன்ன இன்னா செயினும் அவர்செய்த
ஒன்றுநன்று உள்ளக் கெடும்.
Kondranna Innaa Seyinum Avarseydha
Ondrunandru Ullak Ketum
Effaced straightway is deadliest injury, By thought of one kind act in days gone by
எந்நன்றி கொன்றார்க்கும் உய்வுண்டாம் உய்வில்லை
செய்ந்நன்றி கொன்ற மகற்கு.
Ennandri Kondraarkkum Uyvuntaam Uyvillai
Seynnandri Kondra Makarku
Who every good have killed, may yet destruction flee; Who 'benefit' has killed, that man shall ne'er 'scape free
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