PrepMaticThirukkural · பொருட்பால் · அரசியல்
மடி இன்மை: Unsluggishness
About this chapter
மடி இன்மை, unsluggishness, is the warning against idleness and delay. The chapter shows how laziness destroys households and rulers, and what it takes to shake it off.
Kural 601 pictures idleness as a darkness that puts out the lamp of family standing. Kural 602 says those who want their family to rise must put away idleness, and Kural 603 that the family of an idler perishes even before he does. Kural 604 adds that faults multiply in those who sink into sloth and put forth no good effort. Kural 605 gives the chapter's most useful kural, naming four things that make up the vessel for ruin: procrastination (நெடுநீர்), forgetfulness (மறவி), sloth (மடி) and sleep (துயில்). Kural 606 says that the idle gain little even from the riches of kings, and Kural 607 that they hear words of contempt. Kural 608 says that sloth in a family of standing makes it the slave of its enemies, and Kural 609 gives the way out: when a person puts away idleness, the family's reproach disappears. Kural 610 closes with the claim that a king free of idleness gains all the lands once measured by the divine step.
Kural 605 is the one to know first, since its four words work as a checklist against wasting time.
For the syllabus, the chapter fits universal values, and it is practical reading for anyone who struggles with delay.
The 10 kurals of மடி இன்மை
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.
குடியென்னும் குன்றா விளக்கம் மடியென்னும்
மாசூர மாய்ந்து கெடும்.
Kutiyennum Kundraa Vilakkam Matiyennum
Maasoora Maaindhu Ketum
Of household dignity the lustre beaming bright, Flickers and dies when sluggish foulness dims its light
மடியை மடியா ஒழுகல் குடியைக்
குடியாக வேண்டு பவர்.
Matiyai Matiyaa Ozhukal Kutiyaik
Kutiyaaka Ventu Pavar
Let indolence, the death of effort, die, If you'd uphold your household's dignity
மடிமடிக் கொண்டொழுகும் பேதை பிறந்த
குடிமடியும் தன்னினும் முந்து.
Matimatik Kontozhukum Pedhai Pirandha
Kutimatiyum Thanninum Mundhu
Who fosters indolence within his breast, the silly elf!The house from which he springs shall perish ere himself
குடிமடிந்து குற்றம் பெருகும் மடிமடிந்து
மாண்ட உஞற்றி லவர்க்கு.
Kutimatindhu Kutram Perukum Matimatindhu
Maanta Ugnatri Lavarkku
His family decays, and faults unheeded thrive, Who, sunk in sloth, for noble objects doth not strive
நெடுநீர் மறவி மடிதுயில் நான்கும்
கெடுநீரார் காமக் கலன்.
Netuneer Maravi Matidhuyil Naankum
Ketuneeraar Kaamak Kalan
Delay, oblivion, sloth, and sleep: these fourAre pleasure-boat to bear the doomed to ruin's shore
படியுடையார் பற்றமைந்தக் கண்ணும் மடியுடையார்
மாண்பயன் எய்தல் அரிது.
Patiyutaiyaar Patramaindhak Kannum Matiyutaiyaar
Maanpayan Eydhal Aridhu
Though lords of earth unearned possessions gain, The slothful ones no yield of good obtain
இடிபுரிந்து எள்ளுஞ்சொல் கேட்பர் மடிபுரிந்து
மாண்ட உஞற்றி லவர்.
Itipurindhu Ellunj Chol Ketpar
Matipurindhu Maanta Ugnatri Lavar
Who hug their sloth, nor noble works attempt, Shall bear reproofs and words of just contempt
மடிமை குடிமைக்கண் தங்கின்தன் ஒன்னார்க்கு
அடிமை புகுத்தி விடும்.
Matimai Kutimaikkan Thangindhan Onnaarkku
Atimai Pukuththi Vitum
If sloth a dwelling find mid noble family, Bondsmen to them that hate them shall they be
குடியாண்மை யுள்வந்த குற்றம் ஒருவன்
மடியாண்மை மாற்றக் கெடும்.
Kutiyaanmai Yulvandha Kutram Oruvan
Matiyaanmai Maatrak Ketum
Who changes slothful habits savesHimself from all that household rule depraves
மடியிலா மன்னவன் எய்தும் அடியளந்தான்
தாஅய தெல்லாம் ஒருங்கு.
Matiyilaa Mannavan Eydhum Atiyalandhaan
Thaaaya Thellaam Orungu
The king whose life from sluggishness is rid, Shall rule o'er all by foot of mighty god bestrid
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