Thirukkural 345 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
மற்றும் தொடர்ப்பாடு எவன்கொல் பிறப்பறுக்கல்
உற்றார்க்கு உடம்பும் மிகை.
Transliteration
Matrum Thotarppaatu Evankol Pirapparukkal
Utraarkku Utampum Mikai
Modern English
“Someone trying to end the cycle of birth sees even the body as more than they need, so adding further attachments makes no sense.”
Modern Interpretation
Someone trying to end the cycle of birth sees even the body as more than they need, so adding further attachments makes no sense. The teaching points toward radical simplicity and release. For example, a person focused on spiritual freedom will not pile up status, possessions, and obligations around an already demanding life.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
Someone trying to end the cycle of birth sees even the body as more than they need, so adding further attachments makes no sense.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Why add to bonds while this body Is too much for saints to be birth-free
G.U. Pope Translation
To those who sev'rance seek from being's varied strife,Flesh is burthen sore; what then other bonds of life
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
What means the addition of other things those who are attempting to cut off (future) births, when even their body is too much (for them)
Tamil commentary
இனியும் பிறப்பது கூடாது என்று பிறப்பையே அறுக்க முயன்றவர்க்கு அவரது உடம்பே அதிகம்; நிலைமை இப்படி இருக்க, உடம்பிற்கும் மேலான சுமை எதற்கு?
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