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

English Translation

“Who hold His feet who likes nor loathes Are free from woes of human births”

Plain-English meaning

To those who meditate the feet of Him who is void of desire or aversion, evil shall never come

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

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

Plain-English Meaning

To those who meditate the feet of Him who is void of desire or aversion, evil shall never come

எதிலும் விருப்பு வெறுப்பு இல்லாத கடவுளின் திருவடிகளை மனத்தால் எப்போதும் நினைப்பவருக்கு உலகத் துன்பம் ஒருபோதும் இல்லை

Chapter 1

கடவுள் வாழ்த்து

'A' leads letters; the Ancient Lord Leads and lords the entire world

That lore is vain which does not fall At His good feet who knoweth all

Long they live on earth who gain The feet of God in florid brain

Who hold His feet who likes nor loathes Are free from woes of human births

God's praise who tell, are free from right And wrong, the twins of dreaming night

They prosper long who walk His way Who has the senses signed away

His feet, whose likeness none can find, Alone can ease the anxious mind

Who swims the sea of vice is he Who clasps the feet of Virtue's sea

Like senses stale that head is vain Which bows not to Eight-Virtued Divine

The sea of births they alone swim Who clench His feet and cleave to Him