PrepMaticThirukkural · அறத்துப்பால் · இல்லறவியல்
ஈகை: Giving
About this chapter
ஈகை, giving, is about giving to those in need without expecting a return. It follows the chapter on social duty, but it is more personal: it deals with the moment of giving, the giver's attitude and what hoarding costs the hoarder.
Kural 221 defines giving as giving to the destitute, saying that every other gift is a kind of exchange. Kural 222 declares that taking is wrong even if it were the road to heaven, and giving good even if there were no heaven. Kural 223 says a person of good birth never answers a request with "I have nothing", and Kural 224 notes that being asked is unpleasant until you see the glad face of the one you have helped. Kurals 225 and 226 rank hunger: the power of ascetics to endure hunger is great, but the power of those who relieve the hunger of others is greater, and feeding the starving is the best place to store wealth. Kural 227 says hunger does not touch one who shares his food. Kurals 228 to 230 are blunt about the other side: hoarders miss the joy of giving (Kural 228), eating alone is more painful than begging (Kural 229), and a life in which one cannot give is worse than death (Kural 230).
Kural 221 is the key definition, and Kural 225 is the most useful for its comparison of fasting and feeding.
For the syllabus, the chapter connects to social values and everyday life.
The 10 kurals of ஈகை
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.
வறியார்க்கொன்று ஈவதே ஈகைமற் றெல்லாம்
குறியெதிர்ப்பை நீர துடைத்து.
Variyaarkkondru Eevadhe Eekaimar Rellaam
Kuriyedhirppai Neera Thutaiththu
Call that a gift to needy men thou dost dispense, All else is void of good, seeking for recompense
நல்லாறு எனினும் கொளல்தீது மேலுலகம்
இல்லெனினும் ஈதலே நன்று.
Nallaaru Eninum Kolaldheedhu Melulakam
Illeninum Eedhale Nandru
Though men declare it heavenward path, yet to receive is ill; Though upper heaven were not, to give is virtue still
இலனென்னும் எவ்வம் உரையாமை ஈதல்
குலனுடையான் கண்ணே யுள.
Ilanennum Evvam Uraiyaamai Eedhal
Kulanutaiyaan Kanne Yula
'I've nought' is ne'er the high-born man's reply; He gives to those who raise themselves that cry
இன்னாது இரக்கப் படுதல் இரந்தவர்
இன்முகங் காணும் அளவு.
Innaadhu Irakkap Patudhal Irandhavar
Inmukang Kaanum Alavu
The suppliants' cry for aid yields scant delight, Until you see his face with grateful gladness bright
ஆற்றுவார் ஆற்றல் பசிஆற்றல் அப்பசியை
மாற்றுவார் ஆற்றலின் பின்.
Aatruvaar Aatral Pasiaatral Appasiyai
Maatruvaar Aatralin Pin
'Mid devotees they're great who hunger's pangs sustain, Who hunger's pangs relieve a higher merit gain
அற்றார் அழிபசி தீர்த்தல் அஃதொருவன்
பெற்றான் பொருள்வைப் புழி.
Atraar Azhipasi Theerththal Aqdhoruvan
Petraan Porulvaip Puzhi
Let man relieve the wasting hunger men endure; For treasure gained thus finds he treasure-house secure
பாத்தூண் மரீஇ யவனைப் பசியென்னும்
தீப்பிணி தீண்டல் அரிது.
Paaththoon Mareei Yavanaip Pasiyennum
Theeppini Theental Aridhu
Whose soul delights with hungry men to share his meal, The hand of hunger's sickness sore shall never feel
ஈத்துவக்கும் இன்பம் அறியார்கொல் தாமுடைமை
வைத்திழக்கும் வன்க ணவர்.
Eeththuvakkum Inpam Ariyaarkol Thaamutaimai
Vaiththizhakkum Vanka Navar
Delight of glad'ning human hearts with gifts do they not know.Men of unpitying eye, who hoard their wealth and lose it so
இரத்தலின் இன்னாது மன்ற நிரப்பிய
தாமே தமியர் உணல்.
Iraththalin Innaadhu Mandra Nirappiya
Thaame Thamiyar Unal
They keep their garners full, for self alone the board they spread;-'Tis greater pain, be sure, than begging daily bread
சாதலின் இன்னாத தில்லை இனிததூஉம்
ஈதல் இயையாக் கடை.
Saadhalin Innaadha Thillai Inidhadhooum
Eedhal Iyaiyaak Katai
'Tis bitter pain to die, 'Tis worse to live.For him who nothing finds to give
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