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

Modern English

“The verse compares death to sleep and birth to waking from it, reflecting the classical idea of life continuing through change.”

Modern Interpretation

The verse compares death to sleep and birth to waking from it, reflecting the classical idea of life continuing through change. It invites us to see death as part of a larger cycle rather than only an ending. For example, remembering this teaching can help someone face change with less fear and more care for how they live now.

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Modern Plain English

The verse compares death to sleep and birth to waking from it, reflecting the classical idea of life continuing through change.

Poetic Couplet (Bharati)

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

Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)

Death is like sleep; birth is like awaking from it

Tamil commentary

உறங்குவது போன்றது சாவு; உறங்கி விழிப்பது போன்றது பிறப்பு.

Chapter 34

More from Instability

நிலையாமை

Read all 10 Kurals →

Kural 331

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

Kural 332

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

Kural 333

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

Kural 334

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

Kural 335

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

Kural 336

One was yesterday; not today!

Kural 337

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

Kural 338

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

Kural 339

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

Kural 340

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