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
Modern English
“The greatness of a person who has truly let go of selfish attachment is difficult to measure.”
Modern Interpretation
The greatness of a person who has truly let go of selfish attachment is difficult to measure. It is as impossible to count as all the people who have ever lived and died. For example, someone may give up status, comfort, or personal advantage to serve others without seeking recognition. The value of such a life cannot be captured by numbers or awards.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
The greatness of a person who has truly let go of selfish attachment is difficult to measure.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
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
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
To describe the measure of the greatness of those who have forsaken the two-fold desires, is like counting the dead
Tamil commentary
ஆசைகளை விட்டு விலகியவரின் பெருமைக்கு, எண்ணிக்கையால் அளவு கூறுவது, இந்த உலகத்தில் இறந்து போனவர்களின் எண்ணிக்கையை எல்லாம் எண்ணுவது போலாகும்.
Chapter 3
More from The Greatness of Ascetics
நீத்தார் பெருமை
No merit can be held so high As theirs who sense and self deny
Kural 22To con ascetic glory here Is to count the dead upon the sphere
Kural 23No lustre can with theirs compare Who know the right and virtue wear
Kural 24With hook of firmness to restrain The senses five, is heaven to gain
Kural 25Indra himself has cause to say How great the power ascetics' sway
Kural 26The small the paths of ease pursue The great achieve things rare to do
Kural 27They gain the world, who grasp and tell Of taste, sight, hearing, touch and smell
Kural 28Full-worded men by what they say, Their greatness to the world display
Kural 29Their wrath, who've climb'd the mount of good, Though transient, cannot be withstood
Kural 30With gentle mercy towards all, The sage fulfils the vitue's call