Thirukkural · அறத்துப்பால் · துறவறவியல்

துறவு: Renunciation

Chapter 35 of 133 (Thuravu) · Virtue · Ascetic Virtue · Kurals 341 to 350

About this chapter

துறவு, renunciation, explains that freedom from suffering comes through freedom from attachment. It belongs to the section on the renunciant's virtues.

Kural 341 lays down the principle: whatever a person gives up, he is free from the pain it would cause. Kural 342 advises renouncing while there is time, since much remains to be enjoyed afterwards. Kurals 343 and 344 set out what renunciation involves, namely subduing the five senses and dropping all desire, and having nothing, since possession leads back to confusion. Kural 345 pushes the point further: for those seeking release from births, even the body is a burden, so why more ties? Kural 346 names the thing to cut, the pride of "I" and "mine" (யான், எனது), and promises a place above the gods. Kural 347 warns that those who will not let go of attachment are held fast by sorrows. Kural 348 contrasts the fully renounced, who stand on the heights, with the rest, caught in a net. Kural 349 says that when attachment is cut, births are cut. Kural 350 ends with a paradox: cling to the one who clings to nothing, in order to cease clinging.

Kural 341 and Kural 346 are the two most worth learning.

For the syllabus, it is worth knowing as the work's statement of the renunciant ideal, set beside its many chapters on household and public life.

The 10 kurals of துறவு

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.

Kural 341

யாதனின் யாதனின் நீங்கியான் நோதல்
அதனின் அதனின் இலன்.

Yaadhanin Yaadhanin Neengiyaan Nodhal
Adhanin Adhanin Ilan

From whatever, aye, whatever, man gets free, From what, aye, from that, no more of pain hath he

Kural 342

வேண்டின்உண் டாகத் துறக்க துறந்தபின்
ஈண்டுஇயற் பால பல.

Ventin Un Taakath Thurakka
Thurandhapin Eentuiyar Paala Pala

'Renunciation' made- ev'n here true pleasures men acquire;'Renounce' while time is yet, if to those pleasures you aspire

Kural 343

அடல்வேண்டும் ஐந்தன் புலத்தை விடல்வேண்டும்
வேண்டிய வெல்லாம் ஒருங்கு.

Atalventum Aindhan Pulaththai Vitalventum
Ventiya Vellaam Orungu

'Perceptions of the five' must all expire;-Relinquished in its order each desire

Kural 344

இயல்பாகும் நோன்பிற்கொன்று இன்மை உடைமை
மயலாகும் மற்றும் பெயர்த்து.

Iyalpaakum Nonpirkondru Inmai Utaimai
Mayalaakum Matrum Peyarththu

'Privation absolute' is penance true;'Possession' brings bewilderment anew

Kural 345

மற்றும் தொடர்ப்பாடு எவன்கொல் பிறப்பறுக்கல்
உற்றார்க்கு உடம்பும் மிகை.

Matrum Thotarppaatu Evankol Pirapparukkal
Utraarkku Utampum Mikai

To those who sev'rance seek from being's varied strife, Flesh is burthen sore; what then other bonds of life

Kural 346

யான்எனது என்னும் செருக்குஅறுப்பான் வானோர்க்கு
உயர்ந்த உலகம் புகும்.

Yaan Enadhu Ennum Serukku
Aruppaan Vaanorkku Uyarndha Ulakam

Who kills conceit that utters 'I' and 'mine', Shall enter realms above the powers divine

Kural 347

பற்றி விடாஅ இடும்பைகள் பற்றினைப்
பற்றி விடாஅ தவர் க்கு.

Patri Vitaaa Itumpaikal Patrinaip
Patri Vitaaa Thavarkku

Who cling to things that cling and eager clasp, Griefs cling to them with unrelaxing grasp

Kural 348

தலைப்பட்டார் தீரத் துறந்தார் மயங்கி
வலைப்பட்டார் மற்றை யவர்.

Thalaippattaar Theerath Thurandhaar Mayangi
Valaippattaar Matrai Yavar

Who thoroughly 'renounce' on highest height are set; The rest bewildered, lie entangled in the net

Kural 349

பற்றற்ற கண்ணே பிறப்பறுக்கும் மற்று
நிலையாமை காணப் படும்.

Patratra Kanne Pirapparukkum Matru
Nilaiyaamai Kaanap Patum

When that which clings falls off, severed is being's tie; All else will then be seen as instability

Kural 350

பற்றுக பற்றற்றான் பற்றினை அப்பற்றைப்
பற்றுக பற்று விடற்கு.

Patruka Patratraan Patrinai Appatraip
Patruka Patru Vitarku

Cling thou to that which He, to Whom nought clings, hath bid thee cling, Cling to that bond, to get thee free from every clinging thing

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