PrepMaticThirukkural · அறத்துப்பால் · துறவறவியல்
மெய்யுணர்தல்: Truth-Consciousness
About this chapter
மெய்யுணர்தல், truth-consciousness, is among the more philosophical chapters of the work. It explains that real wisdom means seeing the true nature of things, and that clearing away mistaken belief frees a person from suffering.
Kural 351 says that taking what is unreal to be real leads to unworthy births, and Kural 352 that clear vision removes the darkness and brings joy. Kural 353 adds that those freed from doubt find heaven nearer than earth. Kural 354 says that even complete knowledge through the five senses is of no use without knowledge of the truth. Kural 355 is the chapter's definition of wisdom: to see the true thing in whatever thing it is. Kurals 356 to 358 describe the result for those who learn this, the road with no return, and for the mind that has understood it, no need to think of another birth. Kural 359 says that sorrow no longer clings to one who understands what supports all things and drops the supports he had sought before. Kural 360 ends with three faults, lust, anger and delusion (காமம், வெகுளி, மயக்கம்), saying that when even their names are lost, so is pain.
This is a hard chapter, and the translations disagree in places. Kural 355 is the one to learn, for its short definition of wisdom, and Kural 360 for its list of three faults.
For the syllabus, it is worth knowing as the work's statement of what true knowledge is.
The 10 kurals of மெய்யுணர்தல்
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.
பொருளல்ல வற்றைப் பொருளென்று உணரும்
மருளானாம் மாணாப் பிறப்பு.
Porulalla Vatraip Porulendru Unarum
Marulaanaam Maanaap Pirappu
Of things devoid of truth as real things men deem;-Cause of degraded birth the fond delusive dream
இருள்நீங்கி இன்பம் பயக்கும் மருள்நீங்கி
மாசறு காட்சி யவர்க்கு.
Irulneengi Inpam Payakkum Marulneengi
Maasaru Kaatchi Yavarkku
Darkness departs, and rapture springs to men who see, The mystic vision pure, from all delusion free
ஐயத்தின் நீங்கித் தெளிந்தார்க்கு வையத்தின்
வானம் நணிய துடைத்து.
Aiyaththin Neengith Thelindhaarkku Vaiyaththin
Vaanam Naniya Thutaiththu
When doubts disperse, and mists of error rollAway, nearer is heav'n than earth to sage's soul
ஐயுணர்வு எய்தியக் கண்ணும் பயமின்றே
மெய்யுணர்வு இல்லா தவர்க்கு.
Aiyunarvu Eydhiyak Kannum Payamindre
Meyyunarvu Illaa Thavarkku
Five-fold perception gained, what benefits accrueTo them whose spirits lack perception of the true
எப்பொருள் எத்தன்மைத் தாயினும் அப்பொருள்
மெய்ப்பொருள் காண்பது அறிவு.
Epporul Eththanmaith Thaayinum Apporul
Meypporul Kaanpadhu Arivu
Whatever thing, of whatsoever kind it be,'Tis wisdom's part in each the very thing to see
கற்றீண்டு மெய்ப்பொருள் கண்டார் தலைப்படுவர்
மற்றீண்டு வாரா நெறி.
Katreentu Meypporul Kantaar Thalaippatuvar
Matreentu Vaaraa Neri
Who learn, and here the knowledge of the true obtain, Shall find the path that hither cometh not again
ஓர்த்துள்ளம் உள்ளது உணரின் ஒருதலையாப்
பேர்த்துள்ள வேண்டா பிறப்பு.
Orththullam Ulladhu Unarin Orudhalaiyaap
Perththulla Ventaa Pirappu
The mind that knows with certitude what is, and ponders well, Its thoughts on birth again to other life need not to dwell
பிறப்பென்னும் பேதைமை நீங்கச் சிறப்பென்னும்
செம்பொருள் காண்பது அறிவு.
Pirappennum Pedhaimai Neengach Chirappennum
Semporul Kaanpadhu Arivu
When folly, cause of births, departs; and soul can viewThe truth of things, man's dignity- 'tis wisdom true
சார்புணர்ந்து சார்பு கெடஒழுகின் மற்றழித்துச்
சார்தரா சார்தரு நோய்.
Saarpunarndhu Saarpu Ketaozhukin Matrazhiththuch
Chaardharaa Saardharu Noi
The true 'support' who knows- rejects 'supports' he sought before-Sorrow that clings all destroys, shall cling to him no more
காமம் வெகுளி மயக்கம் இவ்மூன்றன்
நாமம் கெடக்கெடும் நோய்.
Kaamam Vekuli Mayakkam Ivaimundran
Naamam Ketakketum Noi
When lust and wrath and error's triple tyranny is o'er, Their very names for aye extinct, then pain shall be no more
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