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சுற்றந் தழால்: Cherishing Kinsmen
About this chapter
சுற்றந் தழால், cherishing kinsmen, is about keeping one's relatives and close circle around one, and the generosity and gentleness that make this possible. The kurals address rulers, but they read as advice for anyone who wants lasting support.
Kural 521 says kinsmen keep their old kindness even when a person has lost his wealth. Kural 522 calls the unfailing love of relatives a source of ever-growing gain, and Kural 523 says that one who does not mingle with his relatives is like water filling a tank that has no bank. Kural 524 gives a definition of the use of wealth, that its profit is to live surrounded by one's people. Kural 525 and Kural 526 explain how: through giving and pleasant words, and by restraining anger, a person gathers more kin around him than anyone else. Kural 527 offers the image of the crow, which does not hide its food but calls others to share it. Kural 528 turns to a ruler, saying many will stay near a king who looks on each according to merit, not on all alike. Kurals 529 and 530 deal with those who left and return: they may come back once the cause of disagreement is gone, and the king should consider their motives before receiving them.
Kural 527 is the one to learn, for the crow. Kural 524 is the most useful as a reminder of what wealth is for.
For the syllabus, the chapter fits universal values.
The 10 kurals of சுற்றந் தழால்
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.
பற்றற்ற கண்ணும் பழைமைபா ராட்டுதல்
சுற்றத்தார் கண்ணே உள.
Patratra Kannum Pazhaimaipaa Raattudhal
Sutraththaar Kanne Ula
When wealth is fled, old kindness still to show, Is kindly grace that only kinsmen know
விருப்பறாச் சுற்றம் இயையின் அருப்பறா
ஆக்கம் பலவும் தரும்.
Virupparaach Chutram Iyaiyin Arupparaa
Aakkam Palavum Tharum
The gift of kin's unfailing love bestowsMuch gain of good, like flower that fadeless blows
அளவளா வில்லாதான் வாழ்க்கை குளவளாக்
கோடின்றி நீர்நிறைந் தற்று.
Alavalaa Villaadhaan Vaazhkkai Kulavalaak
Kotindri Neernirain Thatru
His joy of life who mingles not with kinsmen gathered round, Is lake where streams pour in, with no encircling bound
சுற்றத்தால் சுற்றப் படஒழுகல் செல்வந்தான்
பெற்றத்தால் பெற்ற பயன்.
Sutraththaal Sutrap Pataozhukal Selvandhaan
Petraththaal Petra Payan
The profit gained by wealth's increase, Is living compassed round by relatives in peace
கொடுத்தலும் இன்சொலும் ஆற்றின் அடுக்கிய
சுற்றத்தால் சுற்றப் படும்.
Kotuththalum Insolum Aatrin Atukkiya
Sutraththaal Sutrap Patum
Who knows the use of pleasant words, and liberal gifts can give, Connections, heaps of them, surrounding him shall live
பெருங்கொடையான் பேணான் வெகுளி அவனின்
மருங்குடையார் மாநிலத்து இல்.
Perungotaiyaan Penaan Vekuli Avanin
Marungutaiyaar Maanilaththu Il
Than one who gifts bestows and wrath restrains, Through the wide world none larger following gains
காக்கை கரவா கரைந்துண்ணும் ஆக்கமும்
அன்னநீ ரார்க்கே உள.
Kaakkai Karavaa Karaindhunnum Aakkamum
Annanee Raarkke Ula
The crows conceal not, call their friends to come, then eat; Increase of good such worthy ones shall meet
பொதுநோக்கான் வேந்தன் வரிசையா நோக்கின்
அதுநோக்கி வாழ்வார் பலர்.
Podhunokkaan Vendhan Varisaiyaa Nokkin
Adhunokki Vaazhvaar Palar
Where king regards not all alike, but each in his degree,'Neath such discerning rule many dwell happily
தமராகிக் தற்றுறந்தார் சுற்றம் அமராமைக்
காரணம் இன்றி வரும்.
Thamaraakik Thatrurandhaar Sutram Amaraamaik
Kaaranam Indri Varum
Who once were his, and then forsook him, as beforeWill come around, when cause of disagreement is no more
உழைப்பிரிந்து காரணத்தின் வந்தானை வேந்தன்
இழைத் திருந்து எண்ணிக் கொளல்.
Uzhaippirindhu Kaaranaththin Vandhaanai Vendhan
Izhaith Thirundhu Ennik Kolal
Who causeless went away, then to return, for any cause, ask leave; The king should sift their motives well, consider, and receive
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