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வினை செயல்வகை: Modes of Action
About this chapter
வினை செயல்வகை, the modes of action, is about how to go from a decision to a finished piece of work. Its advice is practical: plan carefully, then act without needless delay.
Kural 671 sets the tone, saying that counsel ends in a resolve and that delaying the execution of that resolve is the fault. Kural 672 refines this: put off what can wait, but never what cannot. Kural 673 says to act when the way is open and, when it is not, to look for another way. Kural 674 warns that an unfinished task or a surviving enemy is like the remnant of a fire, which can grow and destroy. Kurals 675 and 676 give the planning checklist: weigh resources (பொருள்), means (கருவி), time (காலம்), the action itself (வினை) and place (இடம்), and also the effort, the obstacles and the expected gain. Kural 677 advises asking those who know the work, and Kural 678 compares using one undertaking to accomplish another with using one rutting elephant to capture another. Kural 679 says that winning over non-friends is more urgent than favouring friends, and Kural 680 closes with lesser rulers yielding to mightier ones.
Kural 675 is the most useful, since its five factors work as a checklist for any project. Kural 674 is the most memorable image.
For the syllabus, the chapter fits governance and administration, where planning, timing and follow-through decide results.
The 10 kurals of வினை செயல்வகை
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.
சூழ்ச்சி முடிவு துணிவெய்தல் அத்துணிவு
தாழ்ச்சியுள் தங்குதல் தீது.
Soozhchchi Mutivu Thuniveydhal Aththunivu
Thaazhchchiyul Thangudhal Theedhu
The Resolve is counsel's end, If resolutions halt In weak delays, still unfulfilled, 'tis grievous fault
தூங்குக தூங்கிச் செயற்பால தூங்கற்க
தூங்காது செய்யும் வினை.
Thoonguka Thoongich Cheyarpaala Thoongarka
Thoongaadhu Seyyum Vinai
Slumber when sleepy work's in hand beware Thou slumber not when action calls for sleepless care
ஒல்லும்வா யெல்லாம் வினைநன்றே ஒல்லாக்கால்
செல்லும்வாய் நோக்கிச் செயல்.
Ollumvaa Yellaam Vinainandre Ollaakkaal
Sellumvaai Nokkich Cheyal
When way is clear, prompt let your action be; When not, watch till some open path you see
வினைபகை என்றிரண்டின் எச்சம் நினையுங்கால்
தீயெச்சம் போலத் தெறும்.
Vinaipakai Endrirantin Echcham Ninaiyungaal
Theeyechcham Polath Therum
With work or foe, when you neglect some little thing, If you reflect, like smouldering fire, 'twill ruin bring
பொருள்கருவி காலம் வினையிடனொடு ஐந்தும்
இருள்தீர எண்ணிச் செயல்.
Porulkaruvi Kaalam Vinaiyitanotu Aindhum
Iruldheera Ennich Cheyal
Treasure and instrument and time and deed and place of act These five, till every doubt remove, think o'er with care exact
முடிவும் இடையூறும் முற்றியாங்கு எய்தும்
படுபயனும் பார்த்துச் செயல்.
Mutivum Itaiyoorum Mutriyaangu Eydhum
Patupayanum Paarththuch Cheyal
Accomplishment, the hindrances, large profits won By effort these compare,- then let the work be done
செய்வினை செய்வான் செயன்முறை அவ்வினை
உள்ளறிவான் உள்ளம் கொளல்.
Seyvinai Seyvaan Seyanmurai Avvinai
Ullarivaan Ullam Kolal
Who would succeed must thus begin first let him ask The thoughts of them who thoroughly know the task
வினையான் வினையாக்கிக் கோடல் நனைகவுள்
யானையால் யானையாத் தற்று.
Vinaiyaan Vinaiyaakkik Kotal Nanaikavul
Yaanaiyaal Yaanaiyaath Thatru
By one thing done you reach a second work's accomplishment; So furious elephant to snare its fellow brute is sent
நட்டார்க்கு நல்ல செயலின் விரைந்ததே
ஒட்டாரை ஒட்டிக் கொளல்.
Nattaarkku Nalla Seyalin Viraindhadhe
Ottaarai Ottik Kolal
Than kindly acts to friends more urgent thing to do, Is making foes to cling as friends attached to you
உறைசிறியார் உள்நடுங்கல் அஞ்சிக் குறைபெறின்
கொள்வர் பெரியார்ப் பணிந்து.
Uraisiriyaar Ulnatungal Anjik Kuraiperin
Kolvar Periyaarp Panindhu
The men of lesser realm, fearing the people's inward dread, Accepting granted terms, to mightier ruler bow the head
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