Thirukkural 260 in English

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

Tamil original

கொல்லான் புலாலை மறுத்தானைக் கைகூப்பி
எல்லா உயிருந் தொழும்.

Transliteration

Kollaan Pulaalai Maruththaanaik Kaikooppi
Ellaa Uyirun Thozhum

English Translation

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

Plain-English meaning

All creatures will join their hands together, and worship him who has never taken away life, nor eaten flesh

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

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

G.U. Pope Translation

Who slays nought,- flesh rejects- his feet beforeAll living things with clasped hands adore

Plain-English Meaning

All creatures will join their hands together, and worship him who has never taken away life, nor eaten flesh

எந்த உயிரையும் கொல்லாதவனாய், இறைச்சியைத் தின்ன மறுத்தவனாய் வாழ்பவனை எல்லா உயிர்களும் கை குவித்துத் தொழும்.

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