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நீத்தார் பெருமை: The Greatness of Ascetics
About this chapter
நீத்தார் பெருமை praises those who have renounced worldly desire and kept to their rule of conduct. Kural 21 states that the greatness of such people is the highest subject of all sacred writing, and the chapter then shows what that greatness consists of.
Kural 22 says their worth cannot be measured, any more than the dead can be counted. Kural 23 credits them with having weighed the two worlds and chosen virtue, and Kural 24 describes the means: guiding the five senses with the goad (தோட்டி) of firm wisdom (உரன்). Kural 25 offers Indra, king of the heavens, as proof of the strength of one who has subdued the five senses, and Kural 27 lists the five objects of the senses: taste, sight, touch, sound and smell. Kural 28 speaks of those whose words carry weight, and Kural 29 warns that the anger of those who have climbed the mountain of goodness cannot be borne even for a moment.
Kural 26 is the best known of the chapter, saying that the great do what is hard to do, while the small do not. It works as a general standard for effort and character, far beyond the chapter's own subject. Kural 30 is also worth noting, because it defines அந்தணர் through virtue and kindness (செந்தண்மை) towards every living thing.
For the syllabus, Kural 26 fits the theme of universal values and is easy to apply to everyday life.
The 10 kurals of நீத்தார் பெருமை
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.
ஒழுக்கத்து நீத்தார் பெருமை விழுப்பத்து
வேண்டும் பனுவல் துணிவு.
Ozhukkaththu Neeththaar Perumai Vizhuppaththu
Ventum Panuval Thunivu
The settled rule of every code requires, as highest good, Their greatness who, renouncing all, true to their rule have stood
துறந்தார் பெருமை துணைக்கூறின் வையத்து
இறந்தாரை எண்ணிக்கொண் டற்று.
Thurandhaar Perumai Thunaikkoorin Vaiyaththu
Irandhaarai Ennikkon Tatru
As counting those that from the earth have passed away,'Tis vain attempt the might of holy men to say
இருமை வகைதெரிந்து ஈண்டுஅறம் பூண்டார்
பெருமை பிறங்கிற்று உலகு.
Irumai Vakaidherindhu Eentuaram Poontaar
Perumai Pirangitru Ulaku
Their greatness earth transcends, who, way of both worlds weighed, In this world take their stand, in virtue's robe arrayed
உரனென்னும் தோட்டியான் ஓரைந்தும் காப்பான்
வரனென்னும் வைப்பிற்கோர் வித்து.
Uranennum Thottiyaan Oraindhum Kaappaan
Varanennum Vaippirkor Viththu
He, who with firmness, curb the five restrains, Is seed for soil of yonder happy plains
ஐந்தவித்தான் ஆற்றல் அகல்விசும்பு ளார்கோமான்
இந்திரனே சாலுங் கரி.
Aindhaviththaan Aatral Akalvisumpu Laarkomaan
Indhirane Saalung Kari
Their might who have destroyed 'the five', shall soothly tellIndra, the lord of those in heaven's wide realms that dwell
செயற்கரிய செய்வார் பெரியர் சிறியர்
செயற்கரிய செய்கலா தார்.
Seyarkariya Seyvaar Periyar Siriyar
Seyarkariya Seykalaa Thaar
Things hard in the doing will great men do; Things hard in the doing the mean eschew
சுவைஒளி ஊறுஓசை நாற்றமென ஐந்தின்
வகைதெரிவான் கட்டே உலகு.
Suvaioli Ooruosai Naatramendru Aindhin
Vakaidherivaan Katte Ulaku
Taste, light, touch, sound, and smell: who knows the wayOf all the five,- the world submissive owns his sway
நிறைமொழி மாந்தர் பெருமை நிலத்து
மறைமொழி காட்டி விடும்.
Niraimozhi Maandhar Perumai Nilaththu
Maraimozhi Kaatti Vitum
The might of men whose word is never vain, The 'secret word' shall to the earth proclaim
குணமென்னும் குன்றேறி நின்றார் வெகுளி
கணமேயும் காத்தல் அரிது.
Kunamennum Kundreri Nindraar Vekuli
Kanameyum Kaaththal Aridhu
The wrath 'tis hard e'en for an instant to endure, Of those who virtue's hill have scaled, and stand secure
அந்தணர் என்போர் அறவோர்மற் றெவ்வுயிர்க்கும்
செந்தண்மை பூண்டொழுக லான்.
Andhanar Enpor Aravormar Revvuyir
Kkum Sendhanmai Poontozhuka Laan
Towards all that breathe, with seemly graciousness adorned they live; And thus to virtue's sons the name of 'Anthanar' men give
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