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பொச்சாவாமை: Unforgetfulness
About this chapter
பொச்சாவாமை, unforgetfulness, is about never being careless or heedless, particularly when things are going well. The word covers forgetting duty and letting one's guard down at the moment of success.
Kural 531 makes the opening claim that heedlessness born of great joy is worse than excessive anger. Kural 532 compares its effect on fame to the effect of constant poverty on knowledge, and Kural 533 says the heedless never gain fame, which all treatises agree on. Kural 534 says that the heedless have no good, as the fearful have no safety even in a fortress, and Kural 535 adds that one who does not guard against trouble in advance will repent later. Kural 536 says nothing equals unfailing carefulness toward everyone at all times, and Kural 537 holds that nothing is too hard for one who works with unslipping attention. Kural 538 advises doing the things the wise praise. Kural 539 gives the best practical advice of the chapter: when elated, recall the people who were ruined by neglect. Kural 540 closes with a simple rule, that it is easy to reach what you aim at if you keep it in mind.
Kural 531 and Kural 539 are the two to know. Kural 540 is also easy to remember and apply to long tasks.
For the syllabus, the chapter fits governance, since it deals with vigilance in leadership.
The 10 kurals of பொச்சாவாமை
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.
இறந்த வெகுளியின் தீதே சிறந்த
உவகை மகிழ்ச்சியிற் சோர்வு.
Irandha Vekuliyin Theedhe Sirandha
Uvakai Makizhchchiyir Sorvu
'Tis greater ill, it rapture of o'erweening gladness to the soulBring self-forgetfulness than if transcendent wrath control
பொச்சாப்புக் கொல்லும் புகழை அறிவினை
நிச்ச நிரப்புக் கொன் றாங்கு.
Pochchaappuk Kollum Pukazhai Arivinai
Nichcha Nirappuk Kon Raangu
Perpetual, poverty is death to wisdom of the wise; When man forgets himself his glory dies
பொச்சாப்பார்க் கில்லை புகழ்மை அதுஉலகத்து
எப்பால்நூ லோர்க்கும் துணிவு.
Pochchaappaark Killai Pukazhmai Adhuulakaththu
Eppaalnoo Lorkkum Thunivu
'To self-oblivious men no praise'; this ruleDecisive wisdom sums of every school
அச்ச முடையார்க்கு அரணில்லை ஆங்கில்லை
பொச்சாப் புடையார்க்கு நன்கு.
Achcha Mutaiyaarkku Aranillai Aangillai
Pochchaap Putaiyaarkku Nanku
'To cowards is no fort's defence'; e'en soThe self-oblivious men no blessing know
முன்னுறக் காவாது இழுக்கியான் தன்பிழை
பின்னூறு இரங்கி விடும்.
Munnurak Kaavaadhu Izhukkiyaan Thanpizhai
Pinnooru Irangi Vitum
To him who nought foresees, recks not of anything, The after woe shall sure repentance bring
இழுக்காமை யார்மாட்டும் என்றும் வழுக்காமை
வாயின் அதுவொப்பது இல்.
Izhukkaamai Yaarmaattum Endrum Vazhukkaamai
Vaayin Adhuvoppadhu Il
Towards all unswerving, ever watchfulness of soul retain, Where this is found there is no greater gain
அரியஎன்று ஆகாத இல்லைபொச் சாவாக்
கருவியால் போற்றிச் செயின்.
Ariyaendru Aakaadha Illaipoch Chaavaak
Karuviyaal Potrich Cheyin
Though things are arduous deemed, there's nought may not be won, When work with mind's unslumbering energy and thought is done
புகழ்ந்தவை போற்றிச் செயல்வேண்டும் செய்யாது
இகழ்ந்தார்க்கு எழுமையும் இல்.
Pukazhndhavai Potrich Cheyalventum Seyyaadhu
Ikazhndhaarkku Ezhumaiyum Il
Let things that merit praise thy watchful soul employ; Who these despise attain through sevenfold births no joy
இகழ்ச்சியின் கெட்டாரை உள்ளுக தாந்தம்
மகிழ்ச்சியின் மைந்துறும் போழ்து.
Ikazhchchiyin Kettaarai Ulluka Thaandham
Makizhchchiyin Maindhurum Pozhdhu
Think on the men whom scornful mind hath brought to nought, When exultation overwhelms thy wildered thought
உள்ளியது எய்தல் எளிதுமன் மற்றுந்தான்
உள்ளியது உள்ளப் பெறின்.
Ulliyadhu Eydhal Elidhuman Matrundhaan
Ulliyadhu Ullap Perin
'Tis easy what thou hast in mind to gain, If what thou hast in mind thy mind retain
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