Thirukkural 342 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
வேண்டின்உண் டாகத் துறக்க துறந்தபின்
ஈண்டுஇயற் பால பல.
Transliteration
Ventin Un Taakath Thurakka
Thurandhapin Eentuiyar Paala Pala
Modern English
“If you want freedom from suffering, let go of attachments while you still have the choice to do so.”
Modern Interpretation
If you want freedom from suffering, let go of attachments while you still have the choice to do so. Afterward, life can still hold many simple joys, without the fear of losing everything. For example, choosing to live with fewer possessions can make a move or financial setback far less frightening.
Listen
Tamil pronunciation
Compare translations
Modern Plain English
If you want freedom from suffering, let go of attachments while you still have the choice to do so.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Give up all to gain the True And endless joys shall hence seek you
G.U. Pope Translation
'Renunciation' made- ev'n here true pleasures men acquire;'Renounce' while time is yet, if to those pleasures you aspire
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
After a man has renounced (all things), there will still be many things in this world (which he may enjoy); if he should desire them, let him, while it is time abandon (the world)
Tamil commentary
பொருள்களின் மீதுள்ள பற்றைத் துறந்தபின் வந்து சேரும் இன்பங்கள் பல; இன்பங்களை விரும்பினால் துறவு கொள்க.
Chapter 35
More from Renunciation
துறவு
From what from what a man is free From that, from that his torments flee
Kural 342Give up all to gain the True And endless joys shall hence seek you
Kural 343Curb the senses five and renounce The carving desires all at once
Kural 344To have nothing is law of vows Having the least deludes and snares
Kural 345Why add to bonds while this body Is too much for saints to be birth-free
Kural 346Who curbs the pride of I and mine Gets a world rare for gods to gain
Kural 347Grief clings on and on to those Who cling to bonds without release
Kural 348Who renounce all are free from care Others suffer delusive snare
Kural 349Bondage cut off, rebirth is off The world then seems instable stuff
Kural 350Bind Thyself to the unbound one That binding breaks all bonds anon