Thirukkural 340 in English

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

Tamil original

புக்கில் அமைந்தின்று கொல்லோ உடம்பினுள்
துச்சில் இருந்த உயிர்க்கு.

Transliteration

Pukkil Amaindhindru Kollo Utampinul
Thuchchil Irundha Uyirkku

English Translation

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

Plain-English meaning

It seems as if the soul, which takes a temporary shelter in a body, had not attained a home

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

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

G.U. Pope Translation

The soul in fragile shed as lodger courts repose:-Is it because no home's conclusive rest it knows

Plain-English Meaning

It seems as if the soul, which takes a temporary shelter in a body, had not attained a home

உடம்பிற்குள் ஒதுங்கி இருந்த உயிருக்கு நிலையான இருப்பிடம் இன்னும் அமையவில்லை போலும்!

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