Thirukkural 349 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
பற்றற்ற கண்ணே பிறப்பறுக்கும் மற்று
நிலையாமை காணப் படும்.
Transliteration
Patratra Kanne Pirapparukkum Matru
Nilaiyaamai Kaanap Patum
Modern English
“When attachment is truly abandoned, the cycle of further birth is said to end; while it remains, life keeps shifting through unstable joys and sorrows.”
Modern Interpretation
When attachment is truly abandoned, the cycle of further birth is said to end; while it remains, life keeps shifting through unstable joys and sorrows. The teaching places freedom in complete release, not temporary restraint. For example, ignoring one craving for a day is different from no longer being ruled by it.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
When attachment is truly abandoned, the cycle of further birth is said to end; while it remains, life keeps shifting through unstable joys and sorrows.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Bondage cut off, rebirth is off The world then seems instable stuff
G.U. Pope Translation
When that which clings falls off, severed is being's tie;All else will then be seen as instability
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
At the moment in which desire has been abandoned, (other) births will be cut off; when that has not been done, instability will be seen
Tamil commentary
ஆசைகளை முழுவதுமாக விட்டபோதுதான் பிறப்பு என்னும் கட்டு அறுபடும்; விடவில்லை என்றால், பிறப்பு மறுபடியும் தொடரும்.
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