Thirukkural 257 in English

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

Tamil original

உண்ணாமை வேண்டும் புலாஅல் பிறிதொன்றன்
புண்ணது உணர்வார்ப் பெறின்.

Transliteration

Unnaamai Ventum Pulaaal Piridhondran
Punnadhu Unarvaarp Perin

English Translation

“From eating flesh men must abstain If they but feel the being's pain”

Plain-English meaning

If men should come to know that flesh is nothing but the unclean ulcer of a body, let them abstain from eating it

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

From eating flesh men must abstain If they but feel the being's pain

G.U. Pope Translation

With other beings' ulcerous wounds their hunger they appease;If this they felt, desire to eat must surely cease

Plain-English Meaning

If men should come to know that flesh is nothing but the unclean ulcer of a body, let them abstain from eating it

இறைச்சி, இன்னோர் உடம்பின் புண்; அறிந்தவர் அதை உண்ணக்கூடாது.

Chapter 26

புலால் மறுத்தல்

What graciousness can one command who feeds his flesh by flesh gourmand

The thriftless have no property And flesh-eaters have no pity

Who wields a steel is steel-hearted Who tastes body is hard-hearted

If merciless it is to kill, To kill and eat is disgraceful

Off with flesh; a life you save The eater hell's mouth shall not waive!

None would kill and sell the flesh For eating it if they don't wish

From eating flesh men must abstain If they but feel the being's pain

Whose mind from illusion is freed Refuse on lifeless flesh to feed

Not to-kill-and-eat, truly Excels thousand pourings of ghee!

All lives shall lift their palms to him Who eats not flesh nor kills with whim