Thirukkural 361 in English

Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.

Tamil original

அவாஎன்ப எல்லா உயிர்க்கும் எஞ்ஞான்றும்
தவாஅப் பிறப்பீனும் வித்து.

Transliteration

Avaaenpa Ellaa Uyirkkum Enj
Gnaandrum Thavaaap Pirappeenum Viththu

English Translation

“Desire to all, always is seed From which ceaseless births proceed”

Plain-English meaning

(The wise) say that the seed, which produces unceasing births, at all times, to all creatures, is desire

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Tamil pronunciation

Speed

English Translation

Desire to all, always is seed From which ceaseless births proceed

G.U. Pope Translation

The wise declare, through all the days, to every living thingThat ceaseless round of birth from seed of strong desire doth spring

Plain-English Meaning

(The wise) say that the seed, which produces unceasing births, at all times, to all creatures, is desire

எல்லா உயிர்களுக்கும், எந்தக் காலத்திலும் அழியாமல் வரும் பிறப்பை உண்டாக்கும் விதைதான் ஆசை என்று பெரியோர் கூறுவர்.

Chapter 37

அவா அறுத்தல்

Desire to all, always is seed From which ceaseless births proceed

If long thou must, long for non-birth It comes by longing no more for earth

No such wealth is here and there As peerless wealth of non-desire

To nothing crave is purity That is the fruit of verity

The free are those who desire not The rest not free in bonds are caught

Dread desire; Virtue is there To every soul desire is snare!

Destroy desire; deliverance Comes as much as you aspire hence

Desire extinct no sorrow-taints Grief comes on grief where it pretends

Desire, the woe of woes destroy Joy of joys here you enjoy

Off with desire insatiate You gain the native blissful state