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பெண்வழிச் சேறல்: Being led by Women
About this chapter
பெண்வழிச் சேறல், literally "going the way of women", is a chapter written for a male reader about a man who lets his wife's wishes or his desire for her overrule his own judgement. Its viewpoint reflects its time, and many readers today will find its picture of household roles dated. What it condemns is clear: neglect of duty, friends and wisdom.
Kural 901 says that those wrapped up in their wives do not reach nobler gains, and Kural 902 says that the success of a man ruled by desire for his wife brings him shame. Kural 903 calls the stooping nature a source of shame among the good, and Kural 904 says that one who fears his wife achieves no distinction. Kural 905 adds that such a man fears even to do good to the good, and Kural 906 says they lack dignity, even if they live like gods. Kural 907 prefers the modest woman to a man who follows a woman's orders. Kural 908 says that such a man does not help friends or do good, and Kural 909 expects neither virtue nor wealth from him. Kural 910 closes by saying that thoughtful minds are free of this folly.
Kural 908 is the useful one to know, since it sets out the real concern, the duty owed to friends and others.
For exams, its main use is as part of the Porutpaal's நட்பியல் section (chapters 79 to 95).
The 10 kurals of பெண்வழிச் சேறல்
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.
மனைவிழைவார் மாண்பயன் எய்தார் வினைவிழையார்
வேண்டாப் பொருளும் அது.
Manaivizhaivaar Maanpayan Eydhaar Vinaivizhaiyaar
Ventaap Porulum Adhu
Who give their soul to love of wife acquire not nobler gain; Who give their soul to strenuous deeds such meaner joys disdain
பேணாது பெண்விழைவான் ஆக்கம் பெரியதோர்
நாணாக நாணுத் தரும்.
Penaadhu Penvizhaivaan Aakkam Periyadhor
Naanaaka Naanuth Tharum
Who gives himself to love of wife, careless of noble nameHis wealth will clothe him with o'erwhelming shame
இல்லாள்கண் தாழ்ந்த இயல்பின்மை எஞ்ஞான்றும்
நல்லாருள் நாணுத் தரும்.
Illaalkan Thaazhndha Iyalpinmai Egngnaandrum
Nallaarul Naanuth Tharum
Who to his wife submits, his strange, unmanly moodWill daily bring him shame among the good
மனையாளை அஞ்சும் மறுமையி லாளன்
வினையாண்மை வீறெய்த லின்று.
Manaiyaalai Anjum Marumaiyi Laalan
Vinaiyaanmai Veereydha Lindru
No glory crowns e'en manly actions wroughtBy him who dreads his wife, nor gives the other world a thought
இல்லாளை அஞ்சுவான் அஞ்சுமற் றெஞ்ஞான்றும்
நல்லார்க்கு நல்ல செயல்.
Illaalai Anjuvaan Anjumar Regngnaandrum
Nallaarkku Nalla Seyal
Who quakes before his wife will ever tremble too, Good deeds to men of good deserts to do
இமையாரின் வாழினும் பாடிலரே இல்லாள்
அமையார்தோள் அஞ்சு பவர்.
Imaiyaarin Vaazhinum Paatilare Illaal
Amaiyaardhol Anju Pavar
Though, like the demi-gods, in bliss they dwell secure from harm, Those have no dignity who fear the housewife's slender arm
பெண்ணேவல் செய்தொழுகும் ஆண்மையின் நாணுடைப்
பெண்ணே பெருமை உடைத்து.
Penneval Seydhozhukum Aanmaiyin Naanutaip
Penne Perumai Utaiththu
The dignity of modest womanhood excelsHis manliness, obedient to a woman's law who dwells
நட்டார் குறைமுடியார் நன்றாற்றார் நன்னுதலாள்
பெட் டாங்கு ஒழுகு பவர்.
Nattaar Kuraimutiyaar Nandraatraar Nannudhalaal
Pettaangu Ozhuku Pavar
Who to the will of her with beauteous brow their lives conform, Aid not their friends in need, nor acts of charity perform
அறவினையும் ஆன்ற பொருளும் பிறவினையும்
பெண்ஏவல் செய்வார்கண் இல்.
Aravinaiyum Aandra Porulum Piravinaiyum
Peneval Seyvaarkan Il
No virtuous deed, no seemly wealth, no pleasure, restsWith them who live obedient to their wives' behests
எண்சேர்ந்த நெஞ்சத் திடனுடையார்க்கு எஞ்ஞான்றும்
பெண்சேர்ந்தாம் பேதைமை இல்.
Enserndha Nenjath Thitanutaiyaarkku Egngnaandrum
Penserndhaam Pedhaimai Il
Where pleasures of the mind, that dwell in realms of thought, abound, Folly, that springs from overweening woman's love, is never found
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