Thirukkural 344 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
இயல்பாகும் நோன்பிற்கொன்று இன்மை உடைமை
மயலாகும் மற்றும் பெயர்த்து.
Transliteration
Iyalpaakum Nonpirkondru Inmai Utaimai
Mayalaakum Matrum Peyarththu
Modern English
“For someone practicing deep detachment, owning nothing is the natural discipline; possessions can awaken new desires and confusion.”
Modern Interpretation
For someone practicing deep detachment, owning nothing is the natural discipline; possessions can awaken new desires and confusion. One attachment can invite many more. For example, buying one item to feel satisfied may quickly turn into chasing the next purchase.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
For someone practicing deep detachment, owning nothing is the natural discipline; possessions can awaken new desires and confusion.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
To have nothing is law of vows Having the least deludes and snares
G.U. Pope Translation
'Privation absolute' is penance true;'Possession' brings bewilderment anew
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
To be altogether destitute is the proper condition of those who perform austerities; if they possess anything, it will change (their resolution) and bring them back to their confused state
Tamil commentary
உடைமை ஏதும் இல்லாதிருப்பது துறவின் இயல்பு. உடைமைகளை வைத்திருப்பதோ ஆசை என்னும் மயக்கத்தை மறுபடியும் தரும்.
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