Thirukkural 368 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
அவாஇல்லார்க் கில்லாகுந் துன்பம் அஃதுண்டேல்
தவாஅது மேன்மேல் வரும்.
Transliteration
Avaaillaark Killaakun Thunpam Aqdhuntel
Thavaaadhu Menmel Varum
Modern English
“A person without craving avoids the chain of sorrow, while desire makes trouble return again and again.”
Modern Interpretation
A person without craving avoids the chain of sorrow, while desire makes trouble return again and again. For example, chasing likes online can turn one disappointing post into a constant cycle of comparison and anxiety.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
A person without craving avoids the chain of sorrow, while desire makes trouble return again and again.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Desire extinct no sorrow-taints Grief comes on grief where it pretends
G.U. Pope Translation
Affliction is not known where no desires abide;Where these are, endless rises sorrow's tide
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
There is no sorrow to those who are without desire; but where that is, (sorrow) will incessantly come, more and more
Tamil commentary
ஆசை இல்லாதவர்க்குத் துன்பம் வராது; இருப்பவர்க்கோ இடைவிடாமல், தொடர்ந்து துன்பம் வரும்.
Chapter 37
More from Curbing of Desire
அவா அறுத்தல்
Desire to all, always is seed From which ceaseless births proceed
Kural 362If long thou must, long for non-birth It comes by longing no more for earth
Kural 363No such wealth is here and there As peerless wealth of non-desire
Kural 364To nothing crave is purity That is the fruit of verity
Kural 365The free are those who desire not The rest not free in bonds are caught
Kural 366Dread desire; Virtue is there To every soul desire is snare!
Kural 367Destroy desire; deliverance Comes as much as you aspire hence
Kural 368Desire extinct no sorrow-taints Grief comes on grief where it pretends
Kural 369Desire, the woe of woes destroy Joy of joys here you enjoy
Kural 370Off with desire insatiate You gain the native blissful state