PrepMaticThirukkural · அறத்துப்பால் · இல்லறவியல்
புகழ்: Renown
About this chapter
புகழ், renown, is about the kind of lasting good name that comes from giving and doing good. The chapter follows directly from the two chapters on giving, and it begins by tying fame to generosity.
Kural 231 says to give and live with praise, adding that nothing else is real gain for a living being. Kural 232 holds that when people speak, their praise settles on those who give to beggars, and Kural 233 says that nothing on earth lasts except fame. Kural 236 is the best-known kural of the chapter, advising that if you are born, you should be born with glory, for without it, not being born is better. Kural 237 turns the thought around: those who cannot live with fame have only themselves to blame when others despise them. Kural 238 calls fame the child one leaves behind (எச்சம்) and says that to leave none is a disgrace. Kural 239 pictures the earth that carries a body without fame as growing less fruitful, and Kural 240 closes with the contrast between those who live without reproach, who truly live, and those who live without fame, who do not.
Kural 231 and Kural 236 are the two to learn: the first for the link between fame and giving, and the second for its famous phrasing.
For the syllabus, the chapter fits universal values, since it measures a life by what it leaves behind.
The 10 kurals of புகழ்
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.
ஈதல் இசைபட வாழ்தல் அதுவல்லது
ஊதியம் இல்லை உயிர்க்கு.
Eedhal Isaipata Vaazhdhal Adhuvalladhu
Oodhiyam Illai Uyirkku
See that thy life the praise of generous gifts obtain; Save this for living man exists no real gain
உரைப்பார் உரைப்பவை எல்லாம் இரப்பார்க்கொன்று
ஈவார்மேல் நிற்கும் புகழ்.
Uraippaar Uraippavai Ellaam Irappaarkkondru
Eevaarmel Nirkum Pukazh
The speech of all that speak agrees to crownThe men that give to those that ask, with fair renown
ஒன்றா உலகத்து உயர்ந்த புகழல்லால்
பொன்றாது நிற்பதொன் றில்.
Ondraa Ulakaththu Uyarndha Pukazhallaal
Pondraadhu Nirpadhon Ril
Save praise alone that soars on high, Nought lives on earth that shall not die
நிலவரை நீள்புகழ் ஆற்றின் புலவரைப்
போற்றாது புத்தேள் உலகு.
Nilavarai Neelpukazh Aatrin Pulavaraip
Potraadhu Puththel Ulaku
If men do virtuous deeds by world-wide ample glory crowned, The heavens will cease to laud the sage for other gifts renowned
நத்தம்போல் கேடும் உளதாகும் சாக்காடும்
வித்தகர்க் கல்லால் அரிது.
Naththampol Ketum Uladhaakum Saakkaatum
Viththakark Kallaal Aridhu
Loss that is gain, and death of life's true bliss fulfilled, Are fruits which only wisdom rare can yield
தோன்றின் புகழொடு தோன்றுக அஃதிலார்
தோன்றலின் தோன்றாமை நன்று.
Thondrin Pukazhotu Thondruka Aqdhilaar
Thondralin Thondraamai Nandru
If man you walk the stage, appear adorned with glory's grace; Save glorious you can shine, 'twere better hide your face
புகழ்பட வாழாதார் தந்நோவார் தம்மை
இகழ்வாரை நோவது எவன்?
Pukazhpata Vaazhaadhaar Thannovaar Thammai
Ikazhvaarai Novadhu Evan?
If you your days will spend devoid of goodly fame, When men despise, why blame them? You've yourself to blame
வசையென்ப வையத்தார்க் கெல்லாம் இசையென்னும்
எச்சம் பெறாஅ விடின்.
Vasaiyenpa Vaiyaththaark Kellaam Isaiyennum
Echcham Peraaa Vitin
Fame is virtue's child, they say; if, then, You childless live, you live the scorn of men
வசையிலா வண்பயன் குன்றும் இசையிலா
யாக்கை பொறுத்த நிலம்.
Vasaiyilaa Vanpayan Kundrum Isaiyilaa
Yaakkai Poruththa Nilam
The blameless fruits of fields' increase will dwindle down, If earth the burthen bear of men without renown
வசையொழிய வாழ்வாரே வாழ்வார் இசையொழிய
வாழ்வாரே வாழா தவர்.
Vasaiyozhiya Vaazhvaare Vaazhvaar Isaiyozhiya
Vaazhvaare Vaazhaa Thavar
Who live without reproach, them living men we deem; Who live without renown, live not, though living men they seem
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