Thirukkural 351 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
பொருளல்ல வற்றைப் பொருளென்று உணரும்
மருளானாம் மாணாப் பிறப்பு.
Transliteration
Porulalla Vatraip Porulendru Unarum
Marulaanaam Maanaap Pirappu
Modern English
“Mistaking what is false for what is real clouds judgment and can lead to a troubled life.”
Modern Interpretation
Mistaking what is false for what is real clouds judgment and can lead to a troubled life. For example, treating an online rumor as fact can make someone choose badly and hurt others.
Listen
Tamil pronunciation
Compare translations
Modern Plain English
Mistaking what is false for what is real clouds judgment and can lead to a troubled life.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
That error entails ignoble birth Which deems vain things as things of worth
G.U. Pope Translation
Of things devoid of truth as real things men deem;-Cause of degraded birth the fond delusive dream
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Inglorious births are produced by the confusion (of mind) which considers those things to be real which are not real
Tamil commentary
பொய்யானவற்றை மெய் என்று எண்ணும் மயக்கத்தால் இழிவான பிறப்பு வரும்.
Chapter 36
More from Truth-Conciousness
மெய்யுணர்தல்
That error entails ignoble birth Which deems vain things as things of worth
Kural 352Men of spotless pure insight Enjoy delight devoid of night
Kural 353To doubtless minds whose heart is clear More than earth heaven is near
Kural 354Knowledge of five senses is vain Without knowing the Truth within
Kural 355Knowledge is truth of things to find In every case of every kind
Kural 356Who learn and here the Truth discern Enter the path of non-return
Kural 357One-minded sage sees inner-truth He is free from thoughts of rebirth
Kural 358It is knowledge to know Self-Truth And remove the folly of birth
Kural 359Know the Refuge; off with bondage Be free from ills of thraldom, O sage
Kural 360Woes expire when lust, wrath, folly Expire even to name, fully