PrepMaticThirukkural · அறத்துப்பால் · இல்லறவியல்
வாழ்க்கைத் துணைநலம்: The Worth of a Wife
About this chapter
வாழ்க்கைத் துணைநலம் describes the good wife as the "companion" (துணை) of household life. It speaks from the household's point of view and measures a wife by management, thrift, good name and chastity (கற்பு).
Kural 51 defines the companion as one who has the virtues a home needs and spends within her husband's means. Kurals 52 and 53 stress how much rests on her: without household excellence (மனைமாட்சி), no other greatness makes home life worth anything, and with it nothing is lacking. Kural 54 calls the firmness of chastity the greatest possession a woman can have. Kural 55 uses a bold image, a wife whose word brings rain, to show devotion. Kural 56 describes her as one who guards herself, cares for her husband and keeps a good name. Kural 57 says no watch kept over women equals their own guarding of honour (நிறை). Kurals 58 and 59 link her conduct to reward in the world of the gods and to the husband's standing before critics. Kural 60 closes by calling the excellent household a blessing (மங்கலம்) and good children its ornament.
Kural 51 is the most useful, because it defines the term in the chapter's title. Kural 57 is also worth knowing, for placing the guard in character instead of in watching.
For the syllabus, the chapter belongs to everyday life, and the next chapter, on children, follows directly from Kural 60.
The 10 kurals of வாழ்க்கைத் துணைநலம்
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.
மனைத்தக்க மாண்புடையள் ஆகித்தற் கொண்டான்
வளத்தக்காள் வாழ்க்கைத் துணை.
Manaikdhakka Maanputaiyal Aakiththar Kontaan
Valaththakkaal Vaazhkkaith Thunai
As doth the house beseem, she shows her wifely dignity; As doth her husband's wealth befit, she spends: help - meet is she
மனைமாட்சி இல்லாள்கண் இல்லாயின் வாழ்க்கை
எனைமாட்சித் தாயினும் இல்.
Manaimaatchi Illaalkan Illaayin Vaazhkkai
Enaimaatchith Thaayinum Il
If household excellence be wanting in the wife, Howe'er with splendour lived, all worthless is the life
இல்லதென் இல்லவள் மாண்பானால் உள்ளதென்
இல்லவள் மாணாக் கடை?
Illadhen Illaval Maanpaanaal Ulladhen
Illaval Maanaak Katai?
There is no lack within the house, where wife in worth excels, There is no luck within the house, where wife dishonoured dwells
பெண்ணின் பெருந்தக்க யாவுள கற்பென்னும்
திண்மைஉண் டாகப் பெறின்.
Pennin Perundhakka Yaavula Karpennum
Thinmaiun Taakap Perin
If woman might of chastity retain, What choicer treasure doth the world contain
தெய்வம் தொழாஅள் கொழுநன் தொழுதெழுவாள்
பெய்யெனப் பெய்யும் மழை.
Theyvam Thozhaaal Kozhunan Thozhudhezhuvaal
Peyyenap Peyyum Mazhai
No God adoring, low she bends before her lord; Then rising, serves: the rain falls instant at her word
தற்காத்துத் தற்கொண்டாற் பேணித் தகைசான்ற
சொற்காத்துச் சோர்விலாள் பெண்.
Tharkaaththuth Tharkontaar Penith Thakaisaandra
Sorkaaththuch Chorvilaal Pen
Who guards herself, for husband's comfort cares, her household's fame, In perfect wise with sleepless soul preserves, -give her a woman's name
சிறைகாக்கும் காப்பெவன் செய்யும் மகளிர்
நிறைகாக்கும் காப்பே தலை.
Siraikaakkum Kaappevan Seyyum Makalir
Niraikaakkum Kaappe Thalai
Of what avail is watch and ward?Honour's woman's safest guard
பெற்றாற் பெறின்பெறுவர் பெண்டிர் பெருஞ்சிறப்புப்
புத்தேளிர் வாழும் உலகு.
Petraar Perinperuvar Pentir Perunjirappup
Puththelir Vaazhum Ulaku
If wife be wholly true to him who gained her as his bride, Great glory gains she in the world where gods bliss abide
புகழ்புரிந்த இல்லிலோர்க்கு இல்லை இகழ்வார்முன்
ஏறுபோல் பீடு நடை.
Pukazhpurindha Illilorkku Illai Ikazhvaarmun
Erupol Peetu Natai
Who have not spouses that in virtue's praise delight, They lion-like can never walk in scorner's sight
மங்கலம் என்ப மனைமாட்சி மற்று அதன்
நன்கலம் நன்மக்கட் பேறு.
Mangalam Enpa Manaimaatchi Matru
Adhan Nankalam Nanmakkat Peru
The house's 'blessing', men pronounce the house-wife excellent; The gain of blessed children is its goodly ornament
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