PrepMaticThirukkural · அறத்துப்பால் · இல்லறவியல்
இல்வாழ்க்கை: Domestic Life
About this chapter
இல்வாழ்க்கை, domestic life, opens the section on household virtue (இல்லறவியல்). Its theme is that the householder is not someone who has stepped away from duty but the person on whom others depend.
Kurals 41 and 42 define the householder by whom he supports: the other three orders of life, the forsaken, the poor and the departed. Kural 43 lists five duties: to the ancestors (தென்புலத்தார்), to God, to guests, to kin and to oneself. Kural 44 adds that one who fears blame and shares his food will not see his line fail. Kural 45 gives the core test, that home life should have love and virtue. Kurals 46 to 48 then argue that a person living this way gains nothing by leaving for another state, and that such a householder, who also helps others on their way, surpasses the penance of ascetics. Kural 49 says domestic life is itself virtue, provided it is blameless, and Kural 50 ends by placing one who lives on earth as one should among the gods.
Kural 45 is the most useful, because it names the two things that make a home worth having. Kural 50 holds the well-known phrase வாழ்வாங்கு வாழ்தல், living as one should.
For the syllabus, this chapter sits squarely under everyday life and social duty.
The 10 kurals of இல்வாழ்க்கை
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.
இல்வாழ்வான் என்பான் இயல்புடைய மூவர்க்கும்
நல்லாற்றின் நின்ற துணை.
Ilvaazhvaan Enpaan Iyalputaiya Moovarkkum
Nallaatrin Nindra Thunai
The men of household virtue, firm in way of good, sustainThe other orders three that rule professed maintain
துறந்தார்க்கும் துவ்வாதவர்க்கும் இறந்தார்க்கும்
இல்வாழ்வான் என்பான் துணை.
Thurandhaarkkum Thuvvaa Dhavarkkum Irandhaarkkum
Ilvaazhvaan Enpaan Thunai
To anchorites, to indigent, to those who've passed away, The man for household virtue famed is needful held and stay
தென்புலத்தார் தெய்வம் விருந்தொக்கல் தானென்றாங்கு
ஐம்புலத்தாறு ஓம்பல் தலை.
Thenpulaththaar Theyvam Virundhokkal Thaanendraangu
Aimpulaththaaru Ompal Thalai
The manes, God, guests kindred, self, in due degree, These five to cherish well is chiefest charity
பழியஞ்சிப் பாத்தூண் உடைத்தாயின் வாழ்க்கை
வழியெஞ்சல் எஞ்ஞான்றும் இல்.
Pazhiyanjip Paaththoon Utaiththaayin Vaazhkkai
Vazhiyenjal Egngnaandrum Il
Who shares his meal with other, while all guilt he shuns, His virtuous line unbroken though the ages runs
அன்பும் அறனும் உடைத்தாயின் இல்வாழ்க்கை
பண்பும் பயனும் அது.
Anpum Aranum Utaiththaayin Ilvaazhkkai
Panpum Payanum Adhu
If love and virtue in the household reign, This is of life the perfect grace and gain
அறத்தாற்றின் இல்வாழ்க்கை ஆற்றின் புறத்தாற்றில்
போஒய்ப் பெறுவ தெவன்?
Araththaatrin Ilvaazhkkai Aatrin Puraththaatril
Pooip Peruva Thevan?
If man in active household life a virtuous soul retain, What fruit from other modes of virtue can he gain
இயல்பினான் இல்வாழ்க்கை வாழ்பவன் என்பான்
முயல்வாருள் எல்லாம் தலை.
Iyalpinaan Ilvaazhkkai Vaazhpavan Enpaan
Muyalvaarul Ellaam Thalai
In nature's way who spends his calm domestic days,'Mid all that strive for virtue's crown hath foremost place
ஆற்றின் ஒழுக்கி அறனிழுக்கா இல்வாழ்க்கை
நோற்பாரின் நோன்மை உடைத்து.
Aatrin Ozhukki Aranizhukkaa Ilvaazhkkai
Norpaarin Nonmai Utaiththu
Others it sets upon their way, itself from virtue ne'er declines; Than stern ascetics' pains such life domestic brighter shines
அறனெனப் பட்டதே இல்வாழ்க்கை அஃதும்
பிறன்பழிப்ப தில்லாயின் நன்று.
Aran Enap Pattadhe Ilvaazhkkai
Aqdhum Piranpazhippa Thillaayin Nandru
The life domestic rightly bears true virtue's name; That other too, if blameless found, due praise may claim
வையத்துள் வாழ்வாங்கு வாழ்பவன் வான்உறையும்
தெய்வத்துள் வைக்கப் படும்.
Vaiyaththul Vaazhvaangu Vaazhpavan Vaanu�ryum
Theyvaththul Vaikkap Patum
Who shares domestic life, by household virtues graced, Shall, mid the Gods, in heaven who dwell, be placed
How Thirukkural is asked in TNPSC exams
Find your weak TNPSC units before the exam does
Take a free TNPSC assessment on PrepMatic. It shows where you stand across General Tamil, General Studies and Aptitude, then builds a day-by-day study plan and mock tests focused on your weak subjects.
Start free assessment →Free forever plan · No credit card · 2-minute setup