PrepMaticThirukkural · அறத்துப்பால் · ஊழியல்
ஊழ்: Fate
About this chapter
ஊழ், fate, is the only chapter in the section on fate (ஊழியல்), and it ends the Book of Virtue. It describes fate as a force that shapes fortune, effort and even wisdom, and asks the reader to accept what it brings.
Kural 371 says that a fortunate fate brings perseverance and an unlucky one brings idleness. Kural 372 extends this to understanding, since an adverse fate makes people foolish and a favourable one enlarges their knowledge. Kural 373 holds that even after studying many subtle treatises, one's own natural knowledge prevails, and Kural 374 notes that the world has two kinds of difference, in wealth and in clarity of mind. Kural 375 says that in gaining wealth good things turn bad and bad things good. Kural 376 and Kural 377 argue that what is not one's own cannot be kept however carefully guarded, and that even those who gather millions enjoy only what is allotted. Kural 379 asks why those who welcome good fortune should grieve at bad. Kural 380 ends by asking what is stronger than fate, since it arrives before any plan to avoid it.
Kural 380 is the one to remember. The chapter should be read with Chapter 62, where Kurals 619 and 620 say that effort pays its reward even if fate opposes.
For the syllabus, it gives the work's view on fate, which Chapter 62 balances.
The 10 kurals of ஊழ்
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.
ஆகூழால் தோன்றும் அசைவின்மை கைப்பொருள்
போகூழால் தோன்றும் மடி.
Aakoozhaal Thondrum Asaivinmai Kaipporul
Pokoozhaal Thondrum Mati
Wealth-giving fate power of unflinching effort brings; From fate that takes away idle remissness springs
பேதைப் படுக்கும் இழவூழ் அறிவகற்றும்
ஆகலூழ் உற்றக் கடை.
Pedhaip Patukkum Izhavoozh Arivakatrum
Aakaloozh Utrak Katai
The fate that loss ordains makes wise men's wisdom foolishness; The fate that gain bestows with ampler powers will wisdom bless
நுண்ணிய நூல்பல கற்பினும் மற்றுந்தன்
உண்மை யறிவே மிகும்.
Nunniya Noolpala Karpinum Matrundhan
Unmai Yarive Mikum
In subtle learning manifold though versed man be,'The wisdom, truly his, will gain supremacy
இருவேறு உலகத்து இயற்கை திருவேறு
தெள்ளிய ராதலும் வேறு.
Iruveru Ulakaththu Iyarkai Thiruveru
Thelliya Raadhalum Veru
Two fold the fashion of the world: some live in fortune's light; While other some have souls in wisdom's radiance bright
நல்லவை எல்லாஅந் தீயவாம் தீயவும்
நல்லவாம் செல்வம் செயற்கு.
Nallavai Ellaaan Theeyavaam Theeyavum
Nallavaam Selvam Seyarku
All things that good appear will oft have ill success; All evil things prove good for gain of happiness
பரியினும் ஆகாவாம் பாலல்ல உய்த்துச்
சொரியினும் போகா தம.
Pariyinum Aakaavaam Paalalla Uyththuch
Choriyinum Pokaa Thama
Things not your own will yield no good, howe'er you guard with pain; Your own, howe'er you scatter them abroad, will yours remain
வகுத்தான் வகுத்த வகையல்லால் கோடி
தொகுத்தார்க்கு துய்த்தல் அரிது.
Vakuththaan Vakuththa Vakaiyallaal Koti
Thokuththaarkku Thuyththal Aridhu
Save as the 'sharer' shares to each in due degree, To those who millions store enjoyment scarce can be
துறப்பார்மன் துப்புர வில்லார் உறற்பால
ஊட்டா கழியு மெனின்.
Thurappaarman Thuppura Villaar Urarpaala
Oottaa Kazhiyu Menin
The destitute with ascetics merit share, If fate to visit with predestined ills would spare
நன்றாங்கால் நல்லவாக் காண்பவர் அன்றாங்கால்
அல்லற் படுவ தெவன்?
Nandraangaal Nallavaak Kaanpavar Andraangaal
Allar Patuva Thevan?
When good things come, men view them all as gain; When evils come, why then should they complain
ஊழிற் பெருவலி யாவுள மற்றொன்று
சூழினுந் தான்முந் துறும்.
Oozhir Peruvali Yaavula Matrondru
Soozhinun Thaanmun Thurum
What powers so great as those of Destiny? Man's skillSome other thing contrives; but fate's beforehand still
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