Thirukkural 262 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
தவமும் தவமுடையார்க்கு ஆகும் அதனை
அஃதிலார் மேற்கொள் வது.
Transliteration
Thavamum Thavamutaiyaarkku Aakum Adhanai
Aqdhilaar Merkol Vadhu
Modern English
“Self-discipline belongs to people who genuinely live by it; simply wearing the image of an ascetic achieves nothing.”
Modern Interpretation
Self-discipline belongs to people who genuinely live by it; simply wearing the image of an ascetic achieves nothing. A strict appearance cannot replace inner control. For example, calling yourself disciplined while giving up whenever work becomes difficult fools no one for long.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
Self-discipline belongs to people who genuinely live by it; simply wearing the image of an ascetic achieves nothing.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Penance is fit for penitents Not for him who in vain pretends
G.U. Pope Translation
To 'penitents' sincere avails their 'penitence';Where that is not, 'tis but a vain pretence
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Austerities can only be borne, and their benefits enjoyed, by those who have practised them (in a former birth); it will be useless for those who have not done so, to attempt to practise them (now)
Tamil commentary
முற்பிறப்பில் தவ நோக்கம் பெற்றிருந்தவர்க்கே இப்பிறப்பில் தவம் செய்ய நேரும். அத்தகைய நோக்கம் இல்லாதவர், இப்போது தவத்தை மேற்கொள்வதும் வீண்தான்.
Chapter 27
More from Penance
தவம்
Pains endure; pain not beings This is the type of true penance
Kural 262Penance is fit for penitents Not for him who in vain pretends
Kural 263Is it to true penitent's aid, That others austere path avoid?
Kural 264In penance lies the power to save The friends and foil the foe and knave
Kural 265What they wish as they wish is won Here hence by men penance is done
Kural 266Who do penance achieve their aim Others desire-rid themselves harm
Kural 267Pure and bright gets the gold in fire; and so the life by pain austere
Kural 268He worship wins from every soul Who Master is by soul control
Kural 269They can even defy death Who get by penance godly strenth
Kural 270Many are poor and few are rich For they care not for penance much