Thirukkural 339 in English

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

Tamil original

உறங்கு வதுபோலுஞ் சாக்காடு உறங்கி
விழிப்பது போலும் பிறப்பு.

Transliteration

Urangu Vadhupolunj Chaakkaatu Urangi
Vizhippadhu Polum Pirappu

English Translation

“Death is like a slumber deep And birth like waking from that sleep”

Plain-English meaning

Death is like sleep; birth is like awaking from it

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

Death is like a slumber deep And birth like waking from that sleep

G.U. Pope Translation

Death is sinking into slumbers deep;Birth again is waking out of sleep

Plain-English Meaning

Death is like sleep; birth is like awaking from it

உறங்குவது போன்றது சாவு; உறங்கி விழிப்பது போன்றது பிறப்பு.

Chapter 34

நிலையாமை

The worst of follies it is told The fleeting as lasting to hold

Like a drama-crowd wealth gathers Like passing show its pride too goes

Wealth wanes away; but when it comes Take care to do enduring things

The showy day is but a saw Your life, know that, to file and gnaw

Ere tongue benumbs and hiccough comes Rise up to do good deeds betimes

One was yesterday; not today!

Man knows not his next moment On crores of things he is intent

The soul from body any day Like bird from egg-shell flies away

Death is like a slumber deep And birth like waking from that sleep

The life berthed in this body shows A fixed home it never knows