PrepMaticThirukkural · அறத்துப்பால் · துறவறவியல்
கொல்லாமை: Not killing
About this chapter
கொல்லாமை, not killing, makes non-violence towards living creatures the root of virtue. It follows the chapter on not doing harm and takes the same idea to its furthest point.
Kural 321 states that virtue consists in not killing, and that killing leads to every other wrong. Kural 322 pairs this with sharing food, calling the sharing of meals and the protection of many lives the chief of all the teachings gathered by scholars. Kural 323 ranks the virtues, putting not killing first and truthfulness second. Kural 324 defines the good path as the one that thinks of how to avoid killing, and Kural 325 puts the person who does so at the head of all who have renounced the world. Kural 326 holds that death does not attack the life of one who keeps this vow, and Kural 327 insists that one should not take another's life even to save one's own. Kural 328 says a gain won by killing is base in the eyes of the wise, however great it may be, and Kural 329 calls the work of killing vile. Kural 330 links lives of suffering with the guilt of slaughter.
Kural 321 and Kural 323 are the two to know. The first defines virtue in this chapter's terms, and the second shows where it ranks.
For the syllabus, it fits the theme of universal values, together with Chapters 25 and 26 on kindness and abstinence from flesh.
The 10 kurals of கொல்லாமை
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.
அறவினை யாதெனின் கொல்லாமை கோறல்
பிறவினை எல்லாந் தரும்.
Aravinai Yaadhenin Kollaamai Koral
Piravinai Ellaan Tharum
What is the work of virtue? 'Not to kill'; For 'killing' leads to every work of ill
பகுத்துண்டு பல்லுயிர் ஓம்புதல் நூலோர்
தொகுத்தவற்றுள் எல்லாந் தலை.
Pakuththuntu Palluyir Ompudhal Noolor
Thokuththavatrul Ellaan Thalai
Let those that need partake your meal; guard every-thing that lives; This the chief and sum of lore that hoarded wisdom gives
ஒன்றாக நல்லது கொல்லாமை மற்றதன்
பின்சாரப் பொய்யாமை நன்று.
Ondraaka Nalladhu Kollaamai Matradhan
Pinsaarap Poiyaamai Nandru
Alone, first of goods things, is 'not to slay'; The second is, no untrue word to say
நல்லாறு எனப்படுவது யாதெனின் யாதொன்றும்
கொல்லாமை சூழும் நெறி.
Nallaaru Enappatuvadhu Yaadhenin Yaadhondrum
Kollaamai Soozhum Neri
You ask, What is the good and perfect way?'Tis path of him who studies nought to slay
நிலைஅஞ்சி நீத்தாருள் எல்லாம் கொலைஅஞ்சிக்
கொல்லாமை சூழ்வான் தலை.
Nilaianji Neeththaarul Ellaam Kolaianjik
Kollaamai Soozhvaan Thalai
Of those who 'being' dread, and all renounce, the chief are they, Who dreading crime of slaughter, study nought to slay
கொல்லாமை மேற்கொண் டொழுகுவான் வாழ்நாள்மேல்
செல்லாது உயிருண்ணுங் கூற்று.
Kollaamai Merkon Tozhukuvaan Vaazhnaalmel
Sellaadhu Uyirunnung Kootru
Ev'n death that life devours, their happy days shall spare, Who law, 'Thou shall not kill', uphold with reverent care
தன்னுயிர் நீப்பினும் செய்யற்க தான்பிறிது
இன்னுயிர் நீக்கும் வினை.
Thannuyir Neeppinum Seyyarka Thaanpiridhu
Innuyir Neekkum Vinai
Though thine own life for that spared life the price must pay, Take not from aught that lives gift of sweet life away
நன்றாகும் ஆக்கம் பெரிதெனினும் சான்றோர்க்குக்
கொன்றாகும் ஆக்கங் கடை.
Nandraakum Aakkam Peridheninum Saandrorkkuk
Kondraakum Aakkang Katai
Though great the gain of good should seem, the wiseWill any gain by staughter won despise
கொலைவினைய ராகிய மாக்கள் புலைவினையர்
புன்மை தெரிவா ரகத்து.
Kolaivinaiya Raakiya Maakkal Pulaivinaiyar
Punmai Therivaa Rakaththu
Whose trade is 'killing', always vile they show, To minds of them who what is vileness know
உயிருடம்பின் நீக்கியா ரென்ப செயிருடம்பின்
செல்லாத்தீ வாழ்க்கை யவர்.
Uyir Utampin Neekkiyaar Enpa
Seyir Utampin Sellaaththee Vaazhkkai
Who lead a loathed life in bodies sorely pained, Are men, the wise declare, by guilt of slaughter stained
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