PrepMaticThirukkural · பொருட்பால் · நட்பியல்
சூது: Gambling
About this chapter
சூது, gambling, is the companion of the chapter on drink. It argues that gambling ruins wealth, character and reputation, and that even winning is a trap.
Kural 931 gives the central image. Even a win is like a fish swallowing the baited hook, so one should not wish for gambling at all. Kural 932 asks whether there is any hope of prosperity for those who gain one and lose a hundred. Kural 933 addresses rulers, saying that a king who is always talking of dice will see his wealth and revenue pass to others. Kurals 934 and 935 repeat the point about poverty and lost reputation, and describe those who are attached to the dice, the gambling hall and the throwing hand as ending up with nothing. Kural 936 personifies gambling as a goddess of misfortune (முகடி) who swallows her victims, so that their hunger is never satisfied. Kurals 937 and 938 list the damage: inherited wealth and character are lost, falsehood comes in, compassion goes, and sorrow follows. Kural 939 names five things that gambling keeps from a person: clothing, wealth, food, fame and learning. Kural 940 ends with a comparison of the gambler who loves the game more as he loses to the soul that clings to life more as it suffers.
Kural 931 and Kural 939 are the two to remember.
For the syllabus, it fits universal values and socio-political affairs, as a case against a social evil.
The 10 kurals of சூது
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.
வேண்டற்க வென்றிடினும் சூதினை வென்றதூஉம்
தூண்டிற்பொன் மீன்விழுங்கி அற்று.
Ventarka Vendritinum Soodhinai Vendradhooum
Thoontirpon Meenvizhungi Atru
Seek not the gamester's play; though you should win, Your gain is as the baited hook the fish takes in
ஒன்றெய்தி நூறிழக்கும் சூதர்க்கும் உண்டாங்கொல்
நன்றெய்தி வாழ்வதோர் ஆறு.
Ondreydhi Noorizhakkum Soodharkkum Untaangol
Nandreydhi Vaazhvadhor Aaru
Is there for gamblers, too, that gaining one a hundred lose, some wayThat they may good obtain, and see a prosperous day
உருளாயம் ஓவாது கூறின் பொருளாயம்
போஒய்ப் புறமே படும்.
Urulaayam Ovaadhu Koorin Porulaayam
Pooip Purame Patum
If prince unceasing speak of nought but play, Treasure and revenue will pass from him away
சிறுமை பலசெய்து சீரழக்கும் சூதின்
வறுமை தருவதொன்று இல்.
Sirumai Palaseydhu Seerazhikkum Soodhin
Varumai Tharuvadhondru Il
Gaming brings many woes, and ruins fair renown; Nothing to want brings men so surely down
கவறும் கழகமும் கையும் தருக்கி
இவறியார் இல்லாகி யார்.
Kavarum Kazhakamum Kaiyum Tharukki
Ivariyaar Illaaki Yaar
The dice, and gaming-hall, and gamester's art, they eager sought, Thirsting for gain- the men in other days who came to nought
அகடாரார் அல்லல் உழப்பர்சூ தென்னும்
முகடியான் மூடப்பட் டார்.
Akataaraar Allal Uzhapparsoo Thennum
Mukatiyaan Mootappat Taar
Gambling's Misfortune's other name: o'er whom she casts her veil, They suffer grievous want, and sorrows sore bewail
பழகிய செல்வமும் பண்பும் கெடுக்கும்
கழகத்துக் காலை புகின்.
Pazhakiya Selvamum Panpum Ketukkum
Kazhakaththuk Kaalai Pukin
Ancestral wealth and noble fame to ruin haste, If men in gambler's halls their precious moments waste
பொருள்கெடுத்துப் பொய்மேற் கொளீஇ அருள்கெடுத்து
அல்லல் உழப்பிக்கும் சூது.
Porul Ketuththup Poimer Koleei
Arulketuththu Allal Uzhappikkum Soodhu
Gambling wastes wealth, to falsehood bends the soul: it drives awayAll grace, and leaves the man to utter misery a prey
உடைசெல்வம் ஊண்ஒளி கல்விஎன்று ஐந்தும்
அடையாவாம் ஆயங் கொளின்.
Utaiselvam Oonoli Kalviendru Aindhum
Ataiyaavaam Aayang Kolin
Clothes, wealth, food, praise, and learning, all departFrom him on gambler's gain who sets his heart
இழத்தொறூஉம் காதலிக்கும் சூதேபோல் துன்பம்
உழத்தொறூஉம் காதற்று உயிர்.
Izhaththoru�um Kaadhalikkum Soodhepol Thunpam
Uzhaththoru�um Kaadhatru Uyir
Howe'er he lose, the gambler's heart is ever in the play; E'en so the soul, despite its griefs, would live on earth alway
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