Thirukkural 326 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
கொல்லாமை மேற்கொண் டொழுகுவான் வாழ்நாள்மேல்
செல்லாது உயிருண்ணுங் கூற்று.
Transliteration
Kollaamai Merkon Tozhukuvaan Vaazhnaalmel
Sellaadhu Uyirunnung Kootru
Modern English
“The verse honors a person committed to never killing by saying that even death hesitates before such a life.”
Modern Interpretation
The verse honors a person committed to never killing by saying that even death hesitates before such a life. It presents respect for life as a strength that rises above fear. For example, choosing to protect a vulnerable person rather than harm them shows the courage this ideal demands.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
The verse honors a person committed to never killing by saying that even death hesitates before such a life.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Life-eating-Death shall spare the breath Of him who no life puts to death
G.U. Pope Translation
Ev'n death that life devours, their happy days shall spare,Who law, 'Thou shall not kill', uphold with reverent care
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Yama, the destroyer of life, will not attack the life of him, who acts under the determination of never destroying life
Tamil commentary
கொலை செய்யாமல் வாழ்வதைக் குறிக்கோளாகக் கொண்டு வாழ்பவனின் வாழ்நாளின்மேல் உயிர் உண்ணும் கூற்று குறுக்கிடாது.
Chapter 33
More from Not killing
கொல்லாமை
What is Virtue? 'Tis not to kill For killing causes every ill
Kural 322Share the food and serve all lives This is the law of all the laws
Kural 323Not to kill is unique good The next, not to utter falsehood
Kural 324What way is good? That we can say The way away from heat to slay
Kural 325Of saints who renounce birth-fearing The head is he who dreads killing
Kural 326Life-eating-Death shall spare the breath Of him who no life puts to death
Kural 327Kill not life that others cherish Even when your life must perish
Kural 328The gain of slaughter is a vice Though deemed good in sacrifice
Kural 329Those who live by slaying are Eaters of carrion bizarre!
Kural 330The loathsome poor sickly and sore Are killers stained by blood before