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பொருள் செயல்வகை: Way of Accumulating Wealth
About this chapter
பொருள் செயல்வகை, the way of accumulating wealth, is about earning and keeping wealth. It praises wealth strongly, but it also attaches conditions.
Kural 751 says that nothing but wealth can turn the insignificant into the significant, and Kural 752 observes that all despise the poor and all honour the rich. Kural 753 compares wealth to a lamp that goes wherever its owner wishes and dispels darkness. Kurals 754 and 755 set the limits. Wealth earned by proper means yields virtue and joy (Kural 754), but wealth that does not come with mercy and love should be given up (Kural 755). Kural 756 lists a king's lawful revenues, including dues and what is taken from enemies. Kural 757 compares compassion (அருள்) to a child born of love that is brought up by the nurse of wealth. Kural 758 says that someone with money in hand who begins a task is like a person watching elephants fight from a hilltop, safe and able to watch. Kurals 759 and 760 end with the practical case: no weapon is sharper against a foe's arrogance, and the other two ends of life, virtue and pleasure, come easily to those who have acquired wealth honestly.
Kural 755 is the key to the whole chapter, since it ties wealth to compassion. Kural 754 states the matching condition on the means.
For the syllabus, the chapter fits economic thought in governance, together with the ethical limits on wealth.
The 10 kurals of பொருள் 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.
பொருளல் லவரைப் பொருளாகச் செய்யும்
பொருளல்லது இல்லை பொருள்.
Porulal Lavaraip Porulaakach Cheyyum
Porulalladhu Illai Porul
Nothing exists save wealth, that canChange man of nought to worthy man
இல்லாரை எல்லாரும் எள்ளுவர் செல்வரை
எல்லாரும் செய்வர் சிறப்பு.
Illaarai Ellaarum Elluvar Selvarai
Ellaarum Seyvar Sirappu
Those who have nought all will despise; All raise the wealthy to the skies
பொருளென்னும் பொய்யா விளக்கம் இருளறுக்கும்
எண்ணிய தேயத்துச் சென்று.
Porulennum Poiyaa Vilakkam Irularukkum
Enniya Theyaththuch Chendru
Wealth, the lamp unfailing, speeds to every land, Dispersing darkness at its lord's command
அறன்ஈனும் இன்பமும் ஈனும் திறனறிந்து
தீதின்றி வந்த பொருள்.
Araneenum Inpamum Eenum Thiranarindhu
Theedhindri Vandha Porul
Their wealth, who blameless means can use aright, Is source of virtue and of choice delight
அருளொடும் அன்பொடும் வாராப் பொருளாக்கம்
புல்லார் புரள விடல்.
Arulotum Anpotum Vaaraap Porulaakkam
Pullaar Purala Vital
Wealth gained by loss of love and grace, Let man cast off from his embrace
உறுபொருளும் உல்கு பொருளும்தன் ஒன்னார்த்
தெறுபொருளும் வேந்தன் பொருள்.
Uruporulum Ulku Porulumdhan Onnaarth
Theruporulum Vendhan Porul
Wealth that falls to him as heir, wealth from the kingdom's dues,
அருளென்னும் அன்பீன் குழவி பொருளென்னும்
செல்வச் செவிலியால் உண்டு.
Arulennum Anpeen Kuzhavi Porulennum
Selvach Cheviliyaal Untu
'Tis love that kindliness as offspring bears:And wealth as bounteous nurse the infant rears
குன்றேறி யானைப்போர் கண்டற்றால் தன்கைத்தொன்று
உண்டாகச் செய்வான் வினை.
Kundreri Yaanaip Por Kantatraal
Thankaiththondru Untaakach Cheyvaan Vinai
As one to view the strife of elephants who takes his stand, On hill he's climbed, is he who works with money in his hand
செய்க பொருளைச் செறுநர் செருக்கறுக்கும்
எஃகதனிற் கூரிய தில்.
Seyka Porulaich Cherunar Serukkarukkum
Eqkadhanir Kooriya Thil
Make money! Foeman's insolence o'ergrownTo lop away no keener steel is known
ஒண்பொருள் காழ்ப்ப இயற்றியார்க்கு எண்பொருள்
ஏனை இரண்டும் ஒருங்கு.
Onporul Kaazhppa Iyatriyaarkku Enporul
Enai Irantum Orungu
Who plenteous store of glorious wealth have gained, By them the other two are easily obtained
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