Thirukkural 273 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
வலியில் நிலைமையான் வல்லுருவம் பெற்றம்
புலியின்தோல் போர்த்துமேய்ந் தற்று.
Transliteration
Valiyil Nilaimaiyaan Valluruvam Petram
Puliyindhol Porththumeyn Thatru
Modern English
“A person who cannot control the mind but wears a powerful spiritual image is like a cow hiding under a tiger skin while grazing.”
Modern Interpretation
A person who cannot control the mind but wears a powerful spiritual image is like a cow hiding under a tiger skin while grazing. Appearance can frighten or impress people, but it does not change what is underneath. For example, acting tough or holy while giving in to every impulse is only a disguise.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
A person who cannot control the mind but wears a powerful spiritual image is like a cow hiding under a tiger skin while grazing.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Vaunting sainthood while week within Seems a grazer with tiger skin
G.U. Pope Translation
As if a steer should graze wrapped round with tiger's skin,Is show of virtuous might when weakness lurks within
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
The assumed appearance of power, by a man who has no power (to restrain his senses and perform austerity), is like a cow feeding on grass covered with a tiger's skin
Tamil commentary
கெட்டவன் நல்லவன் போல நடிப்பது, பசு புலியின் தோலைப் போர்த்திக் கொண்டு மேய்ந்தது போலாகும்.
Chapter 28
More from Imposture
கூடா ஒழுக்கம்
Elements five of feigned life Of a sly hypocrite within laugh
Kural 272Of what avail are sky-high shows When guild the conscience gnaws and knows
Kural 273Vaunting sainthood while week within Seems a grazer with tiger skin
Kural 274Sinning in saintly show is like Fowlers in ambush birds to strike
Kural 275Who false within but freedom feign Shall moan \"What have we done\" with pain
Kural 276Vilest is he who seems a saint Cheating the world without restraint
Kural 277Berry-red is his outward view, Black like its nose his inward hue
Kural 278Filthy in mind some bathe in streams Hiding sins in showy extremes
Kural 279Know men by acts and not by forms Strait arrow kills, bent lute but charms
Kural 280No balding nor tangling the hair! Abstain from condemned acts with care