Thirukkural 258 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
செயிரின் தலைப்பிரிந்த காட்சியார் உண்ணார்
உயிரின் தலைப்பிரிந்த ஊன்.
Transliteration
Seyirin Thalaippirindha Kaatchiyaar Unnaar
Uyirin Thalaippirindha Oon
Modern English
“Those who see clearly do not want to eat flesh separated from a living creature.”
Modern Interpretation
Those who see clearly do not want to eat flesh separated from a living creature. Clear understanding can make compassion stronger than habit. For example, someone who learns where meat comes from may choose a different meal.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
Those who see clearly do not want to eat flesh separated from a living creature.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Whose mind from illusion is freed Refuse on lifeless flesh to feed
G.U. Pope Translation
Whose souls the vision pure and passionless perceive,Eat not the bodies men of life bereave
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
The wise, who have freed themselves from mental delusion, will not eat the flesh which has been severed from an animal
Tamil commentary
பிழையற்ற அறிவினை உடையவர், உயிர் பிரிந்த இறைச்சியை உண்ணமாட்டார்.
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