PrepMaticThirukkural · பொருட்பால் · அரசியல்
கல்வி: Learning
About this chapter
கல்வி, learning, praises education as the best and most lasting possession a person can have. It stands among the chapters on a ruler's qualities, but its kurals speak to every learner.
Kural 391 gives the instruction every student should know: learn thoroughly what is worth learning, then live up to it. Kural 392 names the two eyes of the living, numbers (எண்) and letters (எழுத்து), and Kural 393 says that the learned have eyes while the unlearned have two sores in the face. Kural 394 describes the learned as people who give joy when they meet and leave one wishing to meet again. Kural 395 shows even the rich standing humbly before the learned. Kural 396 offers the image of a sand well, whose water rises as it is dug deeper, as knowledge grows with learning. Kural 397 asks how anyone can stay unlearned until death when the learned feel at home in every land and town. Kural 398 says learning gained in one birth serves through seven, and Kural 399 notes that the learned love learning more when they see it gives joy to the world. Kural 400 calls learning imperishable wealth.
Kural 391 and Kural 392 are the two to learn, and Kural 396 is the one to remember as an image.
For the syllabus, the chapter fits universal values and is the natural starting point for the work's teaching on learning.
The 10 kurals of கல்வி
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.
கற்க கசடறக் கற்பவை கற்றபின்
நிற்க அதற்குத் தக.
Karka Kasatarak Karpavai Katrapin
Nirka Adharkuth Thaka
So learn that you may full and faultless learning gain, Then in obedience meet to lessons learnt remain
எண்ணென்ப ஏனை எழுத்தென்ப இவ்விரண்டும்
கண்ணென்ப வாழும் உயிர்க்கு.
Ennenpa Enai Ezhuththenpa Ivvirantum
Kannenpa Vaazhum Uyirkku
The twain that lore of numbers and of letters giveAre eyes, the wise declare, to all on earth that live
கண்ணுடையர் என்பவர் கற்றோர் முகத்திரண்டு
புண்ணுடையர் கல்லா தவர்.
Kannutaiyar Enpavar Katror Mukaththirantu
Punnutaiyar Kallaa Thavar
Men who learning gain have eyes, men say; Blockheads' faces pairs of sores display
உவப்பத் தலைக்கூடி உள்ளப் பிரிதல்
அனைத்தே புலவர் தொழில்.
Uvappath Thalaikkooti Ullap Piridhal
Anaiththe Pulavar Thozhil
You meet with joy, with pleasant thought you part; Such is the learned scholar's wonderous art
உடையார்முன் இல்லார்போல் ஏக்கற்றுங் கற்றார்
கடையரே கல்லா தவர்.
Utaiyaarmun Illaarpol Ekkatrung Katraar
Kataiyare Kallaa Thavar
With soul submiss they stand, as paupers front a rich man's face; Yet learned men are first; th'unlearned stand in lowest place
தொட்டனைத் தூறும் மணற்கேணி மாந்தர்க்குக்
கற்றனைத் தூறும் அறிவு.
Thottanaith Thoorum Manarkeni Maandharkkuk
Katranaith Thoorum Arivu
In sandy soil, when deep you delve, you reach the springs below; The more you learn, the freer streams of wisdom flow
யாதானும் நாடாமால் ஊராமால் என்னொருவன்
சாந்துணையுங் கல்லாத வாறு.
Yaadhaanum Naataamaal Ooraamaal Ennoruvan
Saandhunaiyung Kallaadha Vaaru
The learned make each land their own, in every city find a home; Who, till they die; learn nought, along what weary ways they roam
ஒருமைக்கண் தான்கற்ற கல்வி ஒருவற்கு
எழுமையும் ஏமாப் புடைத்து.
Orumaikkan Thaan Katra Kalvi
Oruvarku Ezhumaiyum Emaap Putaiththu
The man who store of learning gains, In one, through seven worlds, bliss attains
தாமின் புறுவது உலகின் புறக்கண்டு
காமுறுவர் கற்றறிந் தார்.
Thaamin Puruvadhu Ulakin Purak
Kantu Kaamuruvar Katrarin Thaar
Their joy is joy of all the world, they see; thus moreThe learners learn to love their cherished lore
கேடில் விழுச்செல்வம் கல்வி யொருவற்கு
மாடல்ல மற்றை யவை.
Ketil Vizhuchchelvam Kalvi Yoruvarku
Maatalla Matrai Yavai
Learning is excellence of wealth that none destroy; To man nought else affords reality of joy
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