PrepMaticThirukkural · அறத்துப்பால் · இல்லறவியல்
வெஃகாமை: Not Coveting
About this chapter
வெஃகாமை, not coveting, is about not desiring what belongs to others. The chapter treats covetousness as the root of unjust gain and shows that wealth gained that way never lasts.
Kural 171 starts with the consequences: coveting another's property unjustly destroys one's family and brings guilt along with it. Kurals 172 to 174 describe the people who resist, namely those who feel shame at injustice, those who aim at higher joys than trifling pleasure, and those who have conquered their senses and do not covet even in need. Kural 175 asks what use wide learning is if covetousness turns one's acts foolish, and Kural 176 says that even a person who follows the way of virtue will perish if he turns to wrongful gain. Kural 177 tells the reader not to seek gain through greed, as its fruit never turns good. Kural 178 gives the chapter's best-known question and answer: what keeps wealth from decline? Not coveting what is in another's hand. Kural 179 says fortune comes to those who do not covet, and Kural 180 sets thoughtless coveting against the greatness of mind that wants nothing, which wins.
Kural 171 and Kural 178 are the two to learn, one for the warning and the other for the principle.
For the syllabus, it fits universal values and personal integrity, which also bears on honesty in public life.
The 10 kurals of வெஃகாமை
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.
நடுவின்றி நன்பொருள் வெஃகின் குடிபொன்றிக்
குற்றமும் ஆங்கே தரும்.
Natuvindri Nanporul Veqkin Kutipondrik
Kutramum Aange Tharum
With soul unjust to covet others' well-earned store, Brings ruin to the home, to evil opes the door
படுபயன் வெஃகிப் பழிப்படுவ செய்யார்
நடுவன்மை நாணு பவர்.
Patupayan Veqkip Pazhippatuva Seyyaar
Natuvanmai Naanu Pavar
Through lust of gain, no deeds that retribution bring, Do they, who shrink with shame from every unjust thing
சிற்றின்பம் வெஃகி அறனல்ல செய்யாரே
மற்றின்பம் வேண்டு பவர்.
Sitrinpam Veqki Aranalla Seyyaare
Matrinpam Ventu Pavar
No deeds of ill, misled by base desire, Do they, whose souls to other joys aspire
இலமென்று வெஃகுதல் செய்யார் புலம்வென்ற
புன்மையில் காட்சி யவர்.
Ilamendru Veqkudhal Seyyaar Pulamvendra
Punmaiyil Kaatchi Yavar
Men who have conquered sense, with sight from sordid vision freed, Desire not other's goods, e'en in the hour of sorest need
அஃகி அகன்ற அறிவென்னாம் யார்மாட்டும்
வெஃகி வெறிய செயின்.
Aqki Akandra Arivennaam Yaarmaattum
Veqki Veriya Seyin
What gain, though lore refined of amplest reach he learn, His acts towards all mankind if covetous desire to folly turn
அருள்வெஃகி ஆற்றின்கண் நின்றான் பொருள்வெஃகிப்
பொல்லாத சூழக் கெடும்.
Arulveqki Aatrinkan Nindraan Porulveqkip
Pollaadha Soozhak Ketum
Though, grace desiring, he in virtue's way stand strong, He's lost who wealth desires, and ponders deeds of wrong
வேண்டற்க வெஃகியாம் ஆக்கம் விளைவயின்
மாண்டற் கரிதாம் பயன்.
Ventarka Veqkiyaam Aakkam Vilaivayin
Maantar Karidhaam Payan
Seek not increase by greed of gain acquired; That fruit matured yields never good desired
அஃகாமை செல்வத்திற்கு யாதெனின் வெஃகாமை
வேண்டும் பிறன்கைப் பொருள்.
Aqkaamai Selvaththirku Yaadhenin Veqkaamai
Ventum Pirankaip Porul
What saves prosperity from swift decline?Absence of lust to make another's cherished riches thine
அறனறிந்து வெஃகா அறிவுடையார்ச் சேரும்
திறன்அறிந் தாங்கே திரு.
Aranarindhu Veqkaa Arivutaiyaarch Cherum
Thiranarin Thaange Thiru
Good fortune draws anigh in helpful time of need, To him who, schooled in virtue, guards his soul from greed
இறலீனும் எண்ணாது வெஃகின் விறல்ஈனும்
வேண்டாமை என்னுஞ் செருக்கு.
Iraleenum Ennaadhu Veqkin Viraleenum
Ventaamai Ennunj Cherukku
From thoughtless lust of other's goods springs fatal ill, Greatness of soul that covets not shall triumph still
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