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
Modern English
“Once we understand that meat is the wounded body of another creature, it becomes harder to treat it as just another ingredient.”
Modern Interpretation
Once we understand that meat is the wounded body of another creature, it becomes harder to treat it as just another ingredient. Awareness should lead to restraint. For example, learning how an animal was harmed can change the way someone looks at a meal.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
Once we understand that meat is the wounded body of another creature, it becomes harder to treat it as just another ingredient.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
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
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
If men should come to know that flesh is nothing but the unclean ulcer of a body, let them abstain from eating it
Tamil commentary
இறைச்சி, இன்னோர் உடம்பின் புண்; அறிந்தவர் அதை உண்ணக்கூடாது.
Chapter 26
More from Abstinence from Flesh
புலால் மறுத்தல்
What graciousness can one command who feeds his flesh by flesh gourmand
Kural 252The thriftless have no property And flesh-eaters have no pity
Kural 253Who wields a steel is steel-hearted Who tastes body is hard-hearted
Kural 254If merciless it is to kill, To kill and eat is disgraceful
Kural 255Off with flesh; a life you save The eater hell's mouth shall not waive!
Kural 256None would kill and sell the flesh For eating it if they don't wish
Kural 257From eating flesh men must abstain If they but feel the being's pain
Kural 258Whose mind from illusion is freed Refuse on lifeless flesh to feed
Kural 259Not to-kill-and-eat, truly Excels thousand pourings of ghee!
Kural 260All lives shall lift their palms to him Who eats not flesh nor kills with whim