Thirukkural 22 in English

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

Tamil original

துறந்தார் பெருமை துணைக்கூறின் வையத்து
இறந்தாரை எண்ணிக்கொண் டற்று.

Transliteration

Thurandhaar Perumai Thunaikkoorin Vaiyaththu
Irandhaarai Ennikkon Tatru

English Translation

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

Plain-English meaning

To describe the measure of the greatness of those who have forsaken the two-fold desires, is like counting the dead

Listen

Tamil pronunciation

Speed

English Translation

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

G.U. Pope Translation

As counting those that from the earth have passed away,'Tis vain attempt the might of holy men to say

Plain-English Meaning

To describe the measure of the greatness of those who have forsaken the two-fold desires, is like counting the dead

ஆசைகளை விட்டு விலகியவரின் பெருமைக்கு, எண்ணிக்கையால் அளவு கூறுவது, இந்த உலகத்தில் இறந்து போனவர்களின் எண்ணிக்கையை எல்லாம் எண்ணுவது போலாகும்.

Chapter 3

நீத்தார் பெருமை

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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