PrepMaticThirukkural · பொருட்பால் · நட்பியல்
நட்பாராய்தல்: Investigation in forming Friendships
About this chapter
நட்பாராய்தல், investigation in forming friendships, is about choosing a friend with care. After chapter 79 defined friendship, this chapter says that the choice must be made before the bond, since a bond once made should not be broken.
Kural 791 states the problem in one line: there is no greater harm than friendship made without examining the person, because once friendship forms, there is no letting go. Kural 792 repeats the warning, saying that friendship made without repeated enquiry will bring grief in the end. Kural 793 lists what to examine: character, family, faults and the company the person keeps. Kural 794 values a friend of good family who is ashamed of disgrace, saying such a friend is worth winning at any cost. Kural 795 recommends those who will make you weep with a rebuke and who know the way of things. Kural 796 says that ruin has one benefit, since it measures the affection of kin. The last kurals are about whom to avoid. Fools' friendship is best dropped (Kural 797), and friends who forsake you in trouble should not be taken (Kurals 798 and 799). Kural 800 advises clinging to the blameless and letting go of the unworthy, even at a price.
Kural 791 is the most useful and Kural 793 is the practical checklist, since both turn the abstract idea of a friend into things one can examine.
For the syllabus, it fits universal values and everyday life.
The 10 kurals of நட்பாராய்தல்
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.
நாடாது நட்டலிற் கேடில்லை நட்டபின்
வீடில்லை நட்பாள் பவர்க்கு.
Naataadhu Nattalir Ketillai Nattapin
Veetillai Natpaal Pavarkku
To make an untried man your friend is ruin sure; For friendship formed unbroken must endure
ஆய்ந்தாய்ந்து கொள்ளாதான் கேண்மை கடைமுறை
தான்சாம் துயரம் தரும்.
Aaindhaaindhu Kollaadhaan Kenmai Kataimurai
Thaansaam Thuyaram Tharum
Alliance with the man you have not proved and proved again, In length of days will give you mortal pain
குணமும் குடிமையும் குற்றமும் குன்றா
இனனும் அறிந்தியாக்க நட்பு.
Kunamum Kutimaiyum Kutramum Kundraa
Inanum Arindhiyaakka Natpu
Temper, descent, defects, associations freeFrom blame: know these, then let the man be friend to thee
குடிப்பிறந்து தன்கண் பழிநாணு வானைக்
கொடுத்தும் கொளல்வேண்டும் நட்பு.
Kutippirandhu Thankan Pazhinaanu Vaanaik
Kotuththum Kolalventum Natpu
Who, born of noble race, from guilt would shrink with shame, Pay any price so you as friend that man may claim
அழச்சொல்லி அல்லது இடித்து வழக்கறிய
வல்லார்நடபு ஆய்ந்து கொளல்.
Azhachcholli Alladhu Itiththu Vazhakkariya
Vallaarnatapu Aaindhu Kolal
Make them your chosen friend whose words repentance move, With power prescription's path to show, while evil they reprove
கேட்டினும் உண்டோர் உறுதி கிளைஞரை
நீட்டி அளப்பதோர் கோல்.
Kettinum Untor Urudhi Kilaignarai
Neetti Alappadhor Kol
Ruin itself one blessing lends:'Tis staff that measures out one's friends
ஊதியம் என்பது ஒருவற்குப் பேதையார்
கேண்மை ஒரீஇ விடல்.
Oodhiyam Enpadhu Oruvarkup Pedhaiyaar
Kenmai Oreei Vital
'Tis gain to any man, the sages say, Friendship of fools to put away
உள்ளற்க உள்ளம் சிறுகுவ கொள்ளற்க
அல்லற்கண் ஆற்றறுப்பார் நட்பு.
Ullarka Ullam Sirukuva Kollarka
Allarkan Aatraruppaar Natpu
Think not the thoughts that dwarf the soul; nor takeFor friends the men who friends in time of grief forsake
கெடுங்காலைக் கைவிடுவார் கேண்மை அடுங்காலை
உள்ளினும் உள்ளஞ் சுடும்.
Ketungaalaik Kaivituvaar Kenmai Atungaalai
Ullinum Ullanj Chutum
Of friends deserting us on ruin's brink,'Tis torture e'en in life's last hour to think
மருவுக மாசற்றார் கேண்மைஒன் றீத்தும்
ஒருவுக ஒப்பிலார் நட்பு.
Maruvuka Maasatraar Kenmaion Reeththum
Oruvuka Oppilaar Natpu
Cling to the friendship of the spotless one's; whate'er you payRenounce alliance with the men of evil way
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