Thirukkural 354 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
ஐயுணர்வு எய்தியக் கண்ணும் பயமின்றே
மெய்யுணர்வு இல்லா தவர்க்கு.
Transliteration
Aiyunarvu Eydhiyak Kannum Payamindre
Meyyunarvu Illaa Thavarkku
Modern English
“Knowing many facts through the senses is not enough if we still fail to understand what is true and important.”
Modern Interpretation
Knowing many facts through the senses is not enough if we still fail to understand what is true and important. For example, someone may know how a rumor spread but still lack the wisdom to see that sharing it is harmful.
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Modern Plain English
Knowing many facts through the senses is not enough if we still fail to understand what is true and important.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Knowledge of five senses is vain Without knowing the Truth within
G.U. Pope Translation
Five-fold perception gained, what benefits accrueTo them whose spirits lack perception of the true
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Even those who have all the knowledge which can be attained by the five senses, will derive no benefit from it, if they are without a knowledge of the true nature of things
Tamil commentary
மனம் அடங்கக் கற்றவர் என்றாலும், உண்மையை உணரும் உணர்வு இல்லாதவர்க்கு ஒரு பயனும் இல்லை.
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