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அருளுடைமை: Compassion
About this chapter
அருளுடைமை, compassion, begins the section on the virtues of the renunciant (துறவறவியல்). It treats kindness (அருள்) as the wealth that matters most, and as a quality that must be shown towards every living creature.
Kural 241 sets the claim: the wealth of kindness is the wealth of wealths, since even the basest can have money. Kural 242 says that among all paths one might consider, kindness is the only reliable aid. Kurals 243 to 245 describe what follows for the kind: they do not enter the world of darkness, no dreaded sin comes to those who protect life, and the wide earth, over which the wind blows, is witness that sorrow does not come to them. Kurals 246 to 248 draw a comparison with property. Those who give up kindness have neglected the real wealth (Kural 246), as the poor have no part in this world, the unkind have none in the next (Kural 247). The poor may flourish again, but the kindless are lost (Kural 248). Kural 249 compares the good deeds of an unkind man to an unwise man's glimpse of truth. Kural 250 ends with a practical test, that anyone about to oppress the weak should recall how he felt before the strong.
Kural 250 is the most useful, because it turns kindness into empathy anyone can practise. Kural 241 states the theme most directly.
For the syllabus, it supports the theme of universal values.
The 10 kurals of அருளுடைமை
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.
அருட்செல்வம் செல்வத்துள் செல்வம் பொருட்செல்வம்
பூரியார் கண்ணும் உள.
Arutchelvam Selvaththul Selvam Porutchelvam
Pooriyaar Kannum Ula
Wealth 'mid wealth is wealth 'kindliness'; Wealth of goods the vilest too possess
நல்லாற்றாள் நாடி அருளாள்க பல்லாற்றால்
தேரினும் அஃதே துணை.
Nallaatraal Naati Arulaalka Pallaatraal
Therinum Aqdhe Thunai
The law of 'grace' fulfil, by methods good due trial made, Though many systems you explore, this is your only aid
அருள்சேர்ந்த நெஞ்சினார்க் கில்லை இருள்சேர்ந்த
இன்னா உலகம் புகல்.
Arulserndha Nenjinaark Killai Irulserndha
Innaa Ulakam Pukal
They in whose breast a 'gracious kindliness' resides, See not the gruesome world, where darkness drear abides
மன்னுயிர் ஓம்பி அருளாள்வார்க்கு இல்லென்ப
தன்னுயிர் அஞ்சும் வினை.
Mannuyir Ompi Arulaalvaarkku Illenpa
Thannuyir Anjum Vinai
Who for undying souls of men provides with gracious zeal, In his own soul the dreaded guilt of sin shall never feel
அல்லல் அருளாள்வார்க்கு இல்லை வளிவழங்கும்
மல்லன்மா ஞாலங் கரி.
Allal Arulaalvaarkku Illai Valivazhangum
Mallanmaa Gnaalang Kari
The teeming earth's vast realm, round which the wild winds blow, Is witness, men of 'grace' no woeful want shall know
பொருள்நீங்கிப் பொச்சாந்தார் என்பர் அருள்நீங்கி
அல்லவை செய்தொழுகு வார்.
Porulneengip Pochchaandhaar Enpar Arulneengi
Allavai Seydhozhuku Vaar
Gain of true wealth oblivious they eschew, Who 'grace' forsake, and graceless actions do
அருளில்லார்க்கு அவ்வுலகம் இல்லை பொருளில்லார்க்கு
இவ்வுலகம் இல்லாகி யாங்கு.
Arulillaarkku Avvulakam Illai Porulillaarkku
Ivvulakam Illaaki Yaangu
As to impoverished men this present world is not; The 'graceless' in you world have neither part nor lot
பொருளற்றார் பூப்பர் ஒருகால் அருளற்றார்
அற்றார்மற் றாதல் அரிது.
Porulatraar Pooppar Orukaal Arulatraar
Atraarmar Raadhal Aridhu
Who lose the flower of wealth, when seasons change, again may bloom; Who lose 'benevolence', lose all; nothing can change their doom
தெருளாதான் மெய்ப்பொருள் கண்டற்றால் தேரின்
அருளாதான் செய்யும் அறம்.
Therulaadhaan Meypporul Kantatraal Therin
Arulaadhaan Seyyum Aram
When souls unwise true wisdom's mystic vision see, The 'graceless' man may work true works of charity
வலியார்முன் தன்னை நினைக்கதான் தன்னின்
மெலியார்மேல் செல்லு மிடத்து.
Valiyaarmun Thannai Ninaikka Thaan
Thannin Meliyaarmel Sellu Mitaththu
When weaker men you front with threat'ning brow, Think how you felt in presence of some stronger foe
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