PrepMaticThirukkural · அறத்துப்பால் · இல்லறவியல்
மக்கட்பேறு: The Wealth of Children
About this chapter
மக்கட்பேறு, the wealth of children, praises children as the greatest gain of a household. The chapter is careful about which children it means: those who are learned, of good character and free from blame.
Kurals 61 and 62 set the standard: no gain compares with intelligent children, and children of good disposition keep evil away. Kural 63 says children are called a person's wealth and links fortune to deeds. Kurals 64 to 66 are the warmest part: the food that little hands have dabbled in is sweeter than ambrosia (Kural 64), the touch of children pleases the body and their words the ear (Kural 65), and only those who have not heard their children's lisping speak of the pipe and the lute (Kural 66). Kurals 67 to 70 turn to duty. A father's gift to his son is to place him among the learned (Kural 67), and the wisdom of children pleases everyone more than it pleases the parents (Kural 68). A mother's joy on hearing her son called wise exceeds her joy at his birth (Kural 69), and the son's best return is to make people ask what penance his father did to have such a son (Kural 70).
Kural 64 and Kural 66 are the best known for their images. Kural 67 is the most useful, because it names education as what parents owe.
For the syllabus, the chapter fits everyday life and the value placed on learning.
The 10 kurals of மக்கட்பேறு
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.
பெறுமவற்றுள் யாமறிவது இல்லை அறிவறிந்த
மக்கட்பேறு அல்ல பிற.
Perumavatrul Yaamarivadhu Illai Arivarindha
Makkatperu Alla Pira
Of all that men acquire, we know not any greater gain, Than that which by the birth of learned children men obtain
எழுபிறப்பும் தீயவை தீண்டா பழிபிறங்காப்
பண்புடை மக்கட் பெறின்.
Ezhupirappum Theeyavai Theentaa Pazhipirangaap
Panputai Makkat Perin
Who children gain, that none reproach, of virtuous worth, No evils touch them, through the sev'n-fold maze of birth
தம்பொருள் என்பதம் மக்கள் அவர்பொருள்
தம்தம் வினையான் வரும்.
Thamporul Enpadham Makkal Avarporul
Thamdham Vinaiyaan Varum
'Man's children are his fortune,' say the wise; From each one's deeds his varied fortunes rise
அமிழ்தினும் ஆற்ற இனிதேதம் மக்கள்
சிறுகை அளாவிய கூழ்.
Amizhdhinum Aatra Inidhedham Makkal
Sirukai Alaaviya Koozh
Than God's ambrosia sweeter far the food before men laid, In which the little hands of children of their own have play'd
மக்கள்மெய் தீண்டல் உடற்கின்பம் மற்றுஅவர்
சொற்கேட்டல் இன்பம் செவிக்கு.
Makkalmey Theental Utarkinpam Matru
Avar Sorkettal Inpam Sevikku
To patent sweet the touch of children dear; Their voice is sweetest music to his ear
குழல்இனிது யாழ்இனிது என்பதம் மக்கள்
மழலைச்சொல் கேளா தவர்.
Kuzhal Inidhu Yaazhinidhu Enpadham
Makkal Mazhalaichchol Kelaa Thavar
'The pipe is sweet,' 'the lute is sweet,' by them't will be averred, Who music of their infants' lisping lips have never heard
தந்தை மகற்காற்றும் நன்றி அவையத்து
முந்தி இருப்பச் செயல்.
Thandhai Makarkaatrum Nandri Avaiyaththu
Mundhi Iruppach Cheyal
Sire greatest boon on son confers, who makes him meet, In councils of the wise to fill the highest seat
தம்மின்தம் மக்கள் அறிவுடைமை மாநிலத்து
மன்னுயிர்க் கெல்லாம் இனிது.
Thammindham Makkal Arivutaimai Maanilaththu
Mannuyirk Kellaam Inidhu
Their children's wisdom greater than their own confessed, Through the wide world is sweet to every human breast
ஈன்ற பொழுதின் பெரிதுவக்கும் தன்மகனைச்
சான்றோன் எனக்கேட்ட தாய்.
Eendra Pozhudhin Peridhuvakkum Thanmakanaich
Chaandron Enakketta Thaai
When mother hears him named 'fulfill'd of wisdom's lore,'Far greater joy she feels, than when her son she bore
மகன்தந்தைக்கு ஆற்றும் உதவி இவன்தந்தை
என்நோற்றான் கொல் எனும் சொல்.
Makandhandhaikku Aatrum Udhavi Ivandhandhai
Ennotraan Kol Enum Sol
To sire, what best requital can by grateful child be done?To make men say, 'What merit gained the father such a son?'
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