Thirukkural 3 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
மலர்மிசை ஏகினான் மாணடி சேர்ந்தார்
நிலமிசை நீடுவாழ் வார்.
Transliteration
Malarmisai Ekinaan Maanati Serndhaar
Nilamisai Neetuvaazh Vaar
Modern English
“Some people are remembered not for their wealth or achievements, but for the way they treated others.”
Modern Interpretation
Some people are remembered not for their wealth or achievements, but for the way they treated others. A caring parent, a trustworthy friend, or an inspiring mentor can continue influencing lives for many years. True success is measured by the positive impact we leave behind.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
Some people are remembered not for their wealth or achievements, but for the way they treated others.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Long they live on earth who gain The feet of God in florid brain
G.U. Pope Translation
His feet, 'Who o'er the full-blown flower hath past,' who gainIn bliss long time shall dwell above this earthly plain
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
They who are united to the glorious feet of Him who passes swiftly over the flower of the mind, shall flourish long above all worlds
Tamil commentary
மனமாகிய மலர்மீது சென்று இருப்பவனாகிய கடவுளின் சிறந்த திருவடிகளை எப்போதும் நினைப்பவர் இப்பூமியில் நெடுங்காலம் வாழ்வர்
Chapter 1
More from The Praise of God
கடவுள் வாழ்த்து
'A' leads letters; the Ancient Lord Leads and lords the entire world
Kural 2That lore is vain which does not fall At His good feet who knoweth all
Kural 3Long they live on earth who gain The feet of God in florid brain
Kural 4Who hold His feet who likes nor loathes Are free from woes of human births
Kural 5God's praise who tell, are free from right And wrong, the twins of dreaming night
Kural 6They prosper long who walk His way Who has the senses signed away
Kural 7His feet, whose likeness none can find, Alone can ease the anxious mind
Kural 8Who swims the sea of vice is he Who clasps the feet of Virtue's sea
Kural 9Like senses stale that head is vain Which bows not to Eight-Virtued Divine
Kural 10The sea of births they alone swim Who clench His feet and cleave to Him