Thirukkural 126 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
ஒருமையுள் ஆமைபோல் ஐந்தடக்கல் ஆற்றின்
எழுமையும் ஏமாப் புடைத்து.
Transliteration
Orumaiyul Aamaipol Aindhatakkal Aatrin
Ezhumaiyum Emaap Putaiththu
Modern English
“Just as a tortoise pulls in its limbs at the first sign of danger, someone who can rein in their senses and impulses when needed builds a kind of protection that carries them through every future challenge.”
Modern Interpretation
Just as a tortoise pulls in its limbs at the first sign of danger, someone who can rein in their senses and impulses when needed builds a kind of protection that carries them through every future challenge. For example, learning to control your temper during one difficult year at school can shape how you handle every stressful situation for the rest of your life.
Listen
Tamil pronunciation
Compare translations
Modern Plain English
Just as a tortoise pulls in its limbs at the first sign of danger, someone who can rein in their senses and impulses when needed builds a kind of protection that carries them through every future challenge.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Who senses five like tortoise hold Their joy prolongs to births sevenfold
G.U. Pope Translation
Like tortoise, who the five restrainsIn one, through seven world bliss obtains
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Should one throughout a single birth, like a tortoise keep in his five senses, the fruit of it will prove a safe-guard to him throughout the seven-fold births.
Tamil commentary
ஆமை தன் நான்கு கால், ஒரு தலை ஆகிய ஐந்து உறுப்புகளையும் ஆபத்து வரும்போது ஓட்டுக்குள் மறைத்துக் கொள்வது போல, ஒருவன் தன் ஒரு பிறப்பில் மெய், வாய், கண், மூக்கு, செவி ஆகிய ஐந்து பொறிகளையும் அறத்திற்கு மாறான தீமை வரும்போது அடக்கும் ஆற்றல் பெறுவான் என்றால், அது அவனுக்குப் பிறவி தோறும் ஏழு பிறப்பிலும் - அரணாக இருந்து உதவும்.
Chapter 13
More from The Possession of Self-restraint
அடக்கம் உடைமை
Self-rule leads to realms of gods Indulgence leads to gloomy hades
Kural 122No gains with self-control measure Guard with care this great treasure
Kural 123Knowing wisdom who lives controlled Name and fame seek him untold
Kural 124Firmly fixed in self serene The sage looks grander than mountain
Kural 125Humility is good for all To the rich it adds a wealth special
Kural 126Who senses five like tortoise hold Their joy prolongs to births sevenfold
Kural 127Rein the tongue if nothing else Or slips of tongue bring all the woes
Kural 128Even a single evil word Will turn all good results to bad
Kural 129The fire-burnt wounds do find a cure Tongue-burnt wound rests a running sore
Kural 130Virtue seeks and peeps to see Self-controlled savant anger free