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வெகுளாமை: Restraining Anger
About this chapter
வெகுளாமை, restraining anger, treats anger as the most dangerous enemy of the person who feels it. The chapter combines a test of restraint with several sharp warnings.
Kural 301 sets the test: true restraint is holding back anger where it could do harm, since where it cannot, it hardly matters. Kural 302 adds that anger is bad even when powerless and worst when it has power. Kural 303 advises forgetting anger towards everyone, because evils spring from it, and Kural 304 asks what enemy takes smiles and joy as anger does. Kural 305 says to guard against anger if one would guard oneself, for otherwise it kills the one who nurses it. Kural 306 compares it to a fire that burns even the raft of kinship, and Kural 307 pictures a hand striking the ground, which is hurt. Kural 308 says that, even when wronged painfully, it is good to refrain from anger. Kural 309 promises that someone who never lets anger enter his heart gets whatever he sets his mind on, and Kural 310 closes by saying the angry are as good as dead while those who give up anger are equal to the sages.
Kural 301 and Kural 305 are the two to learn, one for the test of power and the other for its self-defeating nature.
For the syllabus, Kural 301 has special force for anyone holding authority, which links the chapter to governance as well as everyday life.
The 10 kurals of வெகுளாமை
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.
செல்லிடத்துக் காப்பான் சினங்காப்பான் அல்லிடத்துக்
காக்கின்என் காவாக்கால் என்?
Sellitaththuk Kaappaan Sinangaappaan Allitaththuk
Kaakkinen Kaavaakkaal En?
Where thou hast power thy angry will to work, thy wrath restrain; Where power is none, what matter if thou check or give it rein
செல்லா இடத்துச் சினந்தீது செல்லிடத்தும்
இல்அதனின் தீய பிற.
Sellaa Itaththuch Chinandheedhu Sellitaththum
Iladhanin Theeya Pira
Where power is none to wreak thy wrath, wrath importent is ill; Where thou hast power thy will to work, 'tis greater, evil still
மறத்தல் வெகுளியை யார்மாட்டும் தீய
பிறத்தல் அதனான் வரும்.
Maraththal Vekuliyai Yaarmaattum Theeya
Piraththal Adhanaan Varum
If any rouse thy wrath, the trespass straight forget; For wrath an endless train of evils will beget
நகையும் உவகையும் கொல்லும் சினத்தின்
பகையும் உளவோ பிற.
Nakaiyum Uvakaiyum Kollum Sinaththin
Pakaiyum Ulavo Pira
Wrath robs the face of smiles, the heart of joy, What other foe to man works such annoy
தன்னைத்தான் காக்கின் சினங்காக்க காவாக்கால்
தன்னையே கொல்லுஞ் சினம்.
Thannaiththaan Kaakkin Sinangaakka Kaavaakkaal
Thannaiye Kollunj Chinam
If thou would'st guard thyself, guard against wrath alway;'Gainst wrath who guards not, him his wrath shall slay
சினமென்னும் சேர்ந்தாரைக் கொல்லி இனமென்னும்
ஏமப் புணையைச் சுடும்.
Sinamennum Serndhaaraik Kolli Inamennum
Emap Punaiyaich Chutum
Wrath, the fire that slayeth whose draweth near, Will burn the helpful 'raft' of kindred dear
சினத்தைப் பொருளென்று கொண்டவன் கேடு
நிலத்தறைந்தான் கைபிழையா தற்று.
Sinaththaip Porulendru Kontavan Ketu
Nilaththaraindhaan Kaipizhaiyaa Thatru
The hand that smites the earth unfailing feels the sting; So perish they who nurse their wrath as noble thing
இணர்எரி தோய்வன்ன இன்னா செயினும்
புணரின் வெகுளாமை நன்று.
Inareri Thoivanna Innaa Seyinum
Punarin Vekulaamai Nandru
Though men should work thee woe, like touch of tongues of fire'Tis well if thou canst save thy soul from burning ire
உள்ளிய தெல்லாம் உடனெய்தும் உள்ளத்தால்
உள்ளான் வெகுளி எனின்.
Ulliya Thellaam Utaneydhum Ullaththaal
Ullaan Vekuli Enin
If man his soul preserve from wrathful fires, He gains with that whate'er his soul desires
இறந்தார் இறந்தார் அனையர் சினத்தைத்
துறந்தார் துறந்தார் துணை.
Irandhaar Irandhaar Anaiyar Sinaththaith
Thurandhaar Thurandhaar Thunai
Men of surpassing wrath are like the men who've passed away; Who wrath renounce, equals of all-renouncing sages they
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