Kural 21Chapter 3: The Greatness of Ascetics

Thirukkural 21 in English

Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.

Tamil original

ஒழுக்கத்து நீத்தார் பெருமை விழுப்பத்து
வேண்டும் பனுவல் துணிவு.

Transliteration

Ozhukkaththu Neeththaar Perumai Vizhuppaththu
Ventum Panuval Thunivu

English Translation

“No merit can be held so high As theirs who sense and self deny”

Plain-English meaning

The end and aim of all treatise is to extol beyond all other excellence, the greatness of those who, while abiding in the rule of conduct peculiar to their state, have abandoned all desire

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English Translation

No merit can be held so high As theirs who sense and self deny

G.U. Pope Translation

The settled rule of every code requires, as highest good,Their greatness who, renouncing all, true to their rule have stood

Plain-English Meaning

The end and aim of all treatise is to extol beyond all other excellence, the greatness of those who, while abiding in the rule of conduct peculiar to their state, have abandoned all desire

Tamil commentary

தமக்குரிய ஒழுக்கத்தில் வாழ்ந்து, ஆசைகளை அறுத்து, உயர்ந்த மேன்மக்களின் பெருமையே, சிறந்தனவற்றுள் சிறந்தது என்று நூல்கள் சொல்கின்றன.

Chapter 3

More from The Greatness of Ascetics

நீத்தார் பெருமை

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Kural 21

No merit can be held so high As theirs who sense and self deny

Kural 22

To con ascetic glory here Is to count the dead upon the sphere

Kural 23

No lustre can with theirs compare Who know the right and virtue wear

Kural 24

With hook of firmness to restrain The senses five, is heaven to gain

Kural 25

Indra himself has cause to say How great the power ascetics' sway

Kural 26

The small the paths of ease pursue The great achieve things rare to do

Kural 27

They gain the world, who grasp and tell Of taste, sight, hearing, touch and smell

Kural 28

Full-worded men by what they say, Their greatness to the world display

Kural 29

Their wrath, who've climb'd the mount of good, Though transient, cannot be withstood

Kural 30

With gentle mercy towards all, The sage fulfils the vitue's call