PrepMaticThirukkural · பொருட்பால் · அரசியல்
ஊக்கம் உடைமை: Energy
About this chapter
ஊக்கம் உடைமை, energy, is about drive and strength of will as the real source of a person's worth. The chapter argues that energy of mind is the true wealth, one that does not leave.
Kural 591 says energy is what makes a person truly an owner, because without it even a rich man does not really possess his property. Kural 592 sets mental energy against money, which does not stay. Kural 593 says that people of unbroken energy do not cry that they have lost their fortune, and Kural 594 adds that wealth finds its way to them. Kural 595 gives the chapter's best-known image: as the stem of a water flower rises with the depth of the water, a person's greatness rises with his mind. Kural 596 advises thinking only of what is high, since even if fate thwarts one, the aim is not lost. Kural 597 pictures an elephant standing firm under a shower of arrows, and Kural 598 says the spiritless cannot enjoy the pride of having given. Kural 599 shows even a huge elephant afraid of a tiger. Kural 600 ends bluntly: those without energy are trees in human form.
Kural 595 and Kural 596 are the two to learn, as they are easy to apply to any goal.
Chapters 60 to 63 form a run on perseverance, which makes them a useful read for anyone preparing for a long exam.
The 10 kurals of ஊக்கம் உடைமை
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.
உடையர் எனப்படுவது ஊக்கம் அஃதில்லார்
உடையது உடையரோ மற்று.
Utaiyar Enappatuvadhu Ookkam Aqdhillaar
Utaiyadhu Utaiyaro Matru
'Tis energy gives men o'er that they own a true control; They nothing own who own not energy of soul
உள்ளம் உடைமை உடைமை பொருளுடைமை
நில்லாது நீங்கி விடும்.
Ullam Utaimai Utaimai Porulutaimai
Nillaadhu Neengi Vitum
The wealth of mind man owns a real worth imparts, Material wealth man owns endures not, utterly departs
ஆக்கம் இழந்தேமென்று அல்லாவார் ஊக்கம்
ஒருவந்தம் கைத்துடை யார்.
Aakkam Izhandhemendru Allaavaar Ookkam
Oruvandham Kaiththutai Yaar
'Lost is our wealth,' they utter not this cry distressed, The men of firm concentred energy of soul possessed
ஆக்கம் அதர்வினாய்ச் செல்லும் அசைவிலா
ஊக்க முடையா னுழை.
Aakkam Adharvinaaich Chellum Asaivilaa
Ookka Mutaiyaa Nuzhai
The man of energy of soul inflexible, Good fortune seeks him out and comes a friend to dwell
வெள்ளத் தனைய மலர்நீட்டம் மாந்தர்தம்
உள்ளத் தனையது உயர்வு.
Vellath Thanaiya Malarneettam Maandhardham
Ullath Thanaiyadhu Uyarvu
With rising flood the rising lotus flower its stem unwinds; The dignity of men is measured by their minds
உள்ளுவ தெல்லாம் உயர்வுள்ளல் மற்றது
தள்ளினுந் தள்ளாமை நீர்த்து.
Ulluva Thellaam Uyarvullal Matradhu
Thallinun Thallaamai Neerththu
Whate'er you ponder, let your aim be loftly still, Fate cannot hinder always, thwart you as it will
சிதைவிடத்து ஒல்கார் உரவோர் புதையம்பிற்
பட்டுப்பா டூன்றுங் களிறு.
Sidhaivitaththu Olkaar Uravor Pudhaiyampir
Pattuppaa Toondrung Kaliru
The men of lofty mind quail not in ruin's fateful hour, The elephant retains his dignity mind arrows' deadly shower
உள்ளம் இலாதவர் எய்தார் உலகத்து
வள்ளியம் என்னுஞ் செருக்கு.
Ullam Ilaadhavar Eydhaar Ulakaththu
Valliyam Ennunj Cherukku
The soulless man can never gainTh' ennobling sense of power with men
பரியது கூர்ங்கோட்டது ஆயினும் யானை
வ்ருஉம் புலிதாக் குறின்.
Pariyadhu Koorngottadhu Aayinum Yaanai
Veruum Pulidhaak Kurin
Huge bulk of elephant with pointed tusk all armed, When tiger threatens shrinks away alarmed
உரமொருவற்கு உள்ள வெறுக்கைஅஃ தில்லார்
மரம்மக்க ளாதலே வேறு.
Uramoruvarku Ulla Verukkaiaq Thillaar
Marammakka Laadhale Veru
Firmness of soul in man is real excellance; Others are trees, their human form a mere pretence
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