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குறிப்பறிதல்: The Knowledge of Indications
About this chapter
குறிப்பறிதல், the knowledge of indications, is about reading what a person feels or intends from the face and eyes before a word is spoken. Here it is a skill of the minister who serves a king. (The same title returns in the love section as chapter 110.)
Kural 701 praises the minister who understands the king's mind without being told, calling him an ornament to the world. Kural 702 says such a person deserves to be regarded as a god, and Kural 703 says a king should give whatever it takes to keep him. Kural 704 observes that two people may look alike in body yet differ in this skill, and Kural 705 asks what use eyes are if they cannot read the signs in another's eyes. Kurals 706 and 707 explain why the face is a reliable guide: like a crystal it reflects what is near it, and it shows joy or anger ahead of the mind's own words. Kural 708 says that for one who can read the mind, it is enough to stand and look at the face. Kural 709 extends the skill outward, saying that eyes reveal hatred or friendship. Kural 710 ends by calling the eye the measuring rod of the keen-sighted.
Kural 706 has the chapter's best image. Kural 709 is the most useful, since it applies the skill to friends and rivals.
For the syllabus, it fits governance and everyday life, as a lesson in attentiveness.
The 10 kurals of குறிப்பறிதல்
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.
கூறாமை நோக்கக் குறிப்பறிவான் எஞ்ஞான்றும்
மாறாநீர் வையக் கணி.
Kooraamai Nokkake Kuripparivaan Egngnaandrum
Maaraaneer Vaiyak Kani
Who knows the sign, and reads unuttered thought, the gem is he, Of earth round traversed by the changeless sea
ஐயப் படாஅது அகத்தது உணர்வானைத்
தெய்வத்தோ டொப்பக் கொளல்.
Aiyap Pataaadhu Akaththadhu Unarvaanaith
Theyvaththo Toppak Kolal
Undoubting, who the minds of men can scan, As deity regard that gifted man
குறிப்பிற் குறிப்புணர் வாரை உறுப்பினுள்
யாது கொடுத்தும் கொளல்.
Kurippir Kurippunar Vaarai Uruppinul
Yaadhu Kotuththum Kolal
Who by the sign the signs interprets plain, Give any member up his aid to gain
குறித்தது கூறாமைக் கொள்வாரோ டேனை
உறுப்போ ரனையரால் வேறு.
Kuriththadhu Kooraamaik Kolvaaro Tenai
Uruppo Ranaiyaraal Veru
Who reads what's shown by signs, though words unspoken be, In form may seem as other men, in function nobler far is he
குறிப்பிற் குறிப்புணரா வாயின் உறுப்பினுள்
என்ன பயத்தவோ கண்?
Kurippir Kurippunaraa Vaayin Uruppinul
Enna Payaththavo Kan?
By sign who knows not sings to comprehend, what gain,'Mid all his members, from his eyes does he obtain
அடுத்தது காட்டும் பளிங்குபோல் நெஞ்சம்
கடுத்தது காட்டும் முகம்.
Atuththadhu Kaattum Palingupol Nenjam
Katuththadhu Kaattum Mukam
As forms around in crystal mirrored clear we find, The face will show what's throbbing in the mind
முகத்தின் முதுக்குறைந்தது உண்டோ உவப்பினும்
காயினும் தான்முந் துறும்.
Mukaththin Mudhukkuraindhadhu Unto Uvappinum
Kaayinum Thaanmun Thurum
Than speaking countenance hath aught more prescient skill?Rejoice or burn with rage, 'tis the first herald still
முகம்நோக்கி நிற்க அமையும் அகம்நோக்கி
உற்ற துணர்வார்ப் பெறின்.
Mukamnokki Nirka Amaiyum Akamnokki
Utra Thunarvaarp Perin
To see the face is quite enough, in presence brought, When men can look within and know the lurking thought
பகைமையும் கேண்மையும் கண்ணுரைக்கும் கண்ணின்
வகைமை உணர்வார்ப் பெறின்.
Pakaimaiyum Kenmaiyum Kannuraikkum Kannin
Vakaimai Unarvaarp Perin
The eye speaks out the hate or friendly soul of man; To those who know the eye's swift varying moods to scan
நுண்ணியம் என்பார் அளக்குங்கோல் காணுங்கால்
கண்ணல்லது இல்லை பிற.
Nunniyam Enpaar Alakkungol Kaanungaal
Kannalladhu Illai Pira
The men of keen discerning soul no other test apply(When you their secret ask) than man's revealing eye
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