Thirukkural 4 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
வேண்டுதல் வேண்டாமை இலானடி சேர்ந்தார்க்கு
யாண்டும் இடும்பை இல.
Transliteration
Ventudhal Ventaamai Ilaanati Serndhaarkku
Yaantum Itumpai Ila
Modern English
“Many of our worries come from expecting life to go exactly as planned.”
Modern Interpretation
Many of our worries come from expecting life to go exactly as planned. We feel frustrated when we do not get what we want and unhappy when situations do not match our preferences. A person who learns to accept success and failure with balance develops inner peace. For example, two people apply for the same job. One becomes bitter and miserable after rejection. The other accepts the outcome, learns from the experience, and moves forward. The second person still faces challenges, but suffers far less because they are not controlled by disappointment.
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Modern Plain English
Many of our worries come from expecting life to go exactly as planned.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Who hold His feet who likes nor loathes Are free from woes of human births
G.U. Pope Translation
His foot, 'Whom want affects not, irks not grief,' who gainShall not, through every time, of any woes complain
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
To those who meditate the feet of Him who is void of desire or aversion, evil shall never come
Tamil commentary
எதிலும் விருப்பு வெறுப்பு இல்லாத கடவுளின் திருவடிகளை மனத்தால் எப்போதும் நினைப்பவருக்கு உலகத் துன்பம் ஒருபோதும் இல்லை
Chapter 1
More from The Praise of God
கடவுள் வாழ்த்து
'A' leads letters; the Ancient Lord Leads and lords the entire world
Kural 2That lore is vain which does not fall At His good feet who knoweth all
Kural 3Long they live on earth who gain The feet of God in florid brain
Kural 4Who hold His feet who likes nor loathes Are free from woes of human births
Kural 5God's praise who tell, are free from right And wrong, the twins of dreaming night
Kural 6They prosper long who walk His way Who has the senses signed away
Kural 7His feet, whose likeness none can find, Alone can ease the anxious mind
Kural 8Who swims the sea of vice is he Who clasps the feet of Virtue's sea
Kural 9Like senses stale that head is vain Which bows not to Eight-Virtued Divine
Kural 10The sea of births they alone swim Who clench His feet and cleave to Him