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இன்னா செய்யாமை: Not doing Evil
About this chapter
இன்னா செய்யாமை, not doing evil, teaches that one should never cause harm or pain to others, even in return for harm.
Kural 311 states the vow of the spotless: they would not cause others sorrow even to gain great wealth. Kural 312 extends it to enemies, so that even those who have wronged them are not wronged in return. Kural 313 warns that returning harm even to those who hated one without cause brings sorrow with no escape. Kural 314 gives the chapter's central teaching: the way to punish one who has done evil is to shame him by doing him good. Kural 315 asks what use learning is to a person who does not guard others from pain as he would himself, and Kural 316 and Kural 318 apply the same test, that one should not do to another what one knows to be painful. Kural 317 calls refusing to harm anyone, at any time, the highest virtue. Kural 319 says that harm done to others in the morning returns in the evening, and Kural 320 closes by saying that pain comes to those who inflict it, so those who want freedom from it should cause none.
Kural 314 is the one to learn first. Kural 316 is the most useful as a rule for ordinary life.
For the syllabus, the chapter is a clear case of universal values, and it echoes Kural 206 (Chapter 21).
The 10 kurals of இன்னா செய்யாமை
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.
சிறப்பீனும் செல்வம் பெறினும் பிறர்க்குஇன்னா
செய்யாமை மாசற்றார் கோள்.
Sirappeenum Selvam Perinum Pirarkku
Innaa Seyyaamai Maasatraar Kol
Though ill to neighbour wrought should glorious pride of wealth secure, No ill to do is fixed decree of men in spirit pure
கறுத்துஇன்னா செய்தவக் கண்ணும் மறுத்தின்னா
செய்யாமை மாசற்றார் கோள்.
Karuththuinnaa Seydhavak Kannum Maruththinnaa
Seyyaamai Maasatraar Kol
Though malice work its worst, planning no ill return, to endure, And work no ill, is fixed decree of men in spirit pure
செய்யாமல் செற்றார்க்கும் இன்னாத செய்தபின்
உய்யா விழுமந் தரும்.
Seyyaamal Setraarkkum Innaadha Seydhapin
Uyyaa Vizhuman Tharum
Though unprovoked thy soul malicious foes should sting, Retaliation wrought inevitable woes will bring
இன்னாசெய் தாரை ஒறுத்தல் அவர்நாண
நன்னயஞ் செய்து விடல்.
Innaasey Thaarai Oruththal Avarnaana
Nannayanj Cheydhu Vital
To punish wrong, with kindly benefits the doers ply; Thus shame their souls; but pass the ill unheeded by
அறிவினான் ஆகுவ துண்டோ பிறிதின்நோய்
தந்நோய்போல் போற்றாக் கடை.
Arivinaan Aakuva Thunto Piridhinnoi
Thannoipol Potraak Katai
From wisdom's vaunted lore what doth the learner gain, If as his own he guard not others' souls from pain
இன்னா எனத்தான் உணர்ந்தவை துன்னாமை
வேண்டும் பிறன்கண் செயல்.
Innaa Enaththaan Unarndhavai Thunnaamai
Ventum Pirankan Seyal
What his own soul has felt as bitter pain, From making others feel should man abstain
எனைத்தானும் எஞ்ஞான்றும் யார்க்கும் மனத்தானாம்
மாணாசெய் யாமை தலை.
Enaiththaanum Egngnaandrum Yaarkkum Manaththaanaam
Maanaasey Yaamai Thalai
To work no wilful woe, in any wise, through all the days, To any living soul, is virtue's highest praise
தன்னுயிர்ககு ஏன்னாமை தானறிவான் என்கொலோ
மன்னுயிர்க்கு இன்னா செயல்.
Thannuyirkaku Ennaamai Thaanarivaan Enkolo
Mannuyirkku Innaa Seyal
Whose soul has felt the bitter smart of wrong, how canHe wrongs inflict on ever-living soul of man
பிறர்க்கின்னா முற்பகல் செய்யின் தமக்குஇன்னா
பிற்பகல் தாமே வரும்.
Pirarkkinnaa Murpakal Seyyin Thamakku
Innaa Pirpakal Thaame Varum
If, ere the noontide, you to others evil do, Before the eventide will evil visit you
நோயெல்லாம் நோய்செய்தார் மேலவாம் நோய்செய்யார்
நோயின்மை வேண்டு பவர்.
Noyellaam Noiseydhaar Melavaam Noiseyyaar
Noyinmai Ventu Pavar
O'er every evil-doer evil broodeth still; He evil shuns who freedom seeks from ill
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