Thirukkural 10 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
பிறவிப் பெருங்கடல் நீந்துவர் நீந்தார்
இறைவன் அடிசேரா தார்.
Transliteration
Piravip Perungatal Neendhuvar Neendhaar
Iraivan Atiseraa Thaar
Modern English
“Life is full of challenges.”
Modern Interpretation
Life is full of challenges. There are career pressures, family responsibilities, financial problems, disappointments, and unexpected setbacks. During difficult times, people who have strong values and clear principles usually handle problems better than those who act only on emotions or impulses.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
Life is full of challenges.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
The sea of births they alone swim Who clench His feet and cleave to Him
G.U. Pope Translation
They swim the sea of births, the 'Monarch's' foot who gain;None others reach the shore of being's mighty main
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
None can swim the great sea of births but those who are united to the feet of God
Tamil commentary
கடவுளின் திருவடிகளைச் சேர்ந்தவர் பிறவியாகிய பெருங்கடலை நீந்திக் கடப்பர்; மற்றவர் நீந்தவும் மாட்டார்
Chapter 1
More from The Praise of God
கடவுள் வாழ்த்து
'A' leads letters; the Ancient Lord Leads and lords the entire world
Kural 2That lore is vain which does not fall At His good feet who knoweth all
Kural 3Long they live on earth who gain The feet of God in florid brain
Kural 4Who hold His feet who likes nor loathes Are free from woes of human births
Kural 5God's praise who tell, are free from right And wrong, the twins of dreaming night
Kural 6They prosper long who walk His way Who has the senses signed away
Kural 7His feet, whose likeness none can find, Alone can ease the anxious mind
Kural 8Who swims the sea of vice is he Who clasps the feet of Virtue's sea
Kural 9Like senses stale that head is vain Which bows not to Eight-Virtued Divine
Kural 10The sea of births they alone swim Who clench His feet and cleave to Him