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அடக்கம் உடைமை: The Possession of Self-restraint
About this chapter
அடக்கம் உடைமை, the possession of self-restraint, covers control of the senses, of the tongue and of anger, and also the humility that goes with it. The chapter presents restraint as a treasure that must be guarded.
Kural 121 sets out the stakes: restraint leads to the company of the gods, and its absence to the deepest darkness. Kural 122 tells the reader to guard it as wealth, and Kurals 123 and 124 add that restraint shown with understanding brings distinction and that a person who keeps it without swerving is greater than a mountain. Kural 125 widens the idea to humility, praising it in everyone and above all in the wealthy. Kural 126 gives the famous image: like a tortoise drawing in its limbs, one who holds back the five senses gains protection through seven births. The rest of the chapter concerns the tongue. Kural 127 says to guard the tongue above all else, Kural 128 warns that one evil word spoils the good one has done, and Kural 129 compares a burn from fire, which heals, with a wound from words, which does not. Kural 130 ends by saying that virtue seeks out one who guards against anger.
Kural 126 and Kural 129 are the two to learn, for the tortoise and for the wound of words.
For the syllabus, the chapter gives a clear case of universal values in everyday life.
The 10 kurals of அடக்கம் உடைமை
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.
அடக்கம் அமரருள் உய்க்கும் அடங்காமை
ஆரிருள் உய்த்து விடும்.
Atakkam Amararul Uykkum Atangaamai
Aarirul Uyththu Vitum
Control of self does man conduct to bliss th' immortals share; Indulgence leads to deepest night, and leaves him there
காக்க பொருளா அடக்கத்தை ஆக்கம்
அதனினூஉங் கில்லை உயிர்க்கு.
Kaakka Porulaa Atakkaththai Aakkam
Adhaninooung Killai Uyirkku
Guard thou as wealth the power of self-control; Than this no greater gain to living soul
செறிவறிந்து சீர்மை பயக்கும் அறிவறிந்து
ஆற்றின் அடங்கப் பெறின்.
Serivarindhu Seermai Payakkum Arivarindhu
Aatrin Atangap Perin
If versed in wisdom's lore by virtue's law you self restrainYour self-repression known will yield you glory's gain
நிலையின் திரியாது அடங்கியான் தோற்றம்
மலையினும் மாணப் பெரிது.
Nilaiyin Thiriyaadhu Atangiyaan Thotram
Malaiyinum Maanap Peridhu
In his station, all unswerving, if man self subdue, Greater he than mountain proudly rising to the view
எல்லார்க்கும் நன்றாம் பணிதல் அவருள்ளும்
செல்வர்க்கே செல்வம் தகைத்து.
Ellaarkkum Nandraam Panidhal Avarullum
Selvarkke Selvam Thakaiththu
To all humility is goodly grace; but chief to themWith fortune blessed, -'tis fortune's diadem
ஒருமையுள் ஆமைபோல் ஐந்தடக்கல் ஆற்றின்
எழுமையும் ஏமாப் புடைத்து.
Orumaiyul Aamaipol Aindhatakkal Aatrin
Ezhumaiyum Emaap Putaiththu
Like tortoise, who the five restrainsIn one, through seven world bliss obtains
யாகாவா ராயினும் நாகாக்க காவாக்கால்
சோகாப்பர் சொல்லிழுக்குப் பட்டு.
Yaakaavaa Raayinum Naakaakka Kaavaakkaal
Sokaappar Sollizhukkup Pattu
Whate'er they fail to guard, o'er lips men guard should keep; If not, through fault of tongue, they bitter tears shall weep
ஒன்றானுந் தீச்சொல் பொருட்பயன் உண்டாயின்
நன்றாகா தாகி விடும்.
Ondraanun Theechchol Porutpayan Untaayin
Nandraakaa Thaaki Vitum
Though some small gain of good it seem to bring, The evil word is parent still of evil thing
தீயினாற் சுட்டபுண் உள்ளாறும் ஆறாதே
நாவினாற் சுட்ட வடு.
Theeyinaar Suttapun Ullaarum Aaraadhe
Naavinaar Sutta Vatu
In flesh by fire inflamed, nature may thoroughly heal the sore; In soul by tongue inflamed, the ulcer healeth never more
கதங்காத்துக் கற்றடங்கல் ஆற்றுவான் செவ்வி
அறம்பார்க்கும் ஆற்றின் நுழைந்து.
Kadhangaaththuk Katratangal Aatruvaan Sevvi
Arampaarkkum Aatrin Nuzhaindhu
Who learns restraint, and guards his soul from wrath, Virtue, a timely aid, attends his path
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