Thirukkural 41 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
இல்வாழ்வான் என்பான் இயல்புடைய மூவர்க்கும்
நல்லாற்றின் நின்ற துணை.
Transliteration
Ilvaazhvaan Enpaan Iyalputaiya Moovarkkum
Nallaatrin Nindra Thunai
Modern English
“A true householder does more than earn money or maintain a home.”
Modern Interpretation
A true householder does more than earn money or maintain a home. They support their family and help parents, children, and other dependants live in a good and secure way. For example, a parent who provides care, teaches responsibility, and supports an elderly relative is fulfilling the deeper duty of family life.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
A true householder does more than earn money or maintain a home.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
The ideal householder is he Who aids the natural orders there
G.U. Pope Translation
The men of household virtue, firm in way of good, sustainThe other orders three that rule professed maintain
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
He will be called a (true) householder, who is a firm support to the virtuous of the three orders in
Tamil commentary
மனைவியோடு வாழ்பவன்தான் பிள்ளைகள், பெற்றோர், உறவினர் என்னும் மூவர்க்கும் நல்ல வழியில் உதவுபவன்.
Chapter 5
More from Domestic Life
இல்வாழ்க்கை
The ideal householder is he Who aids the natural orders there
Kural 42His help the monk and retired share, And celibate students are his care
Kural 43By dutiful householder's aid God, manes, kin, self and guests are served
Kural 44Sin he shuns and food he shares His home is bright and brighter fares
Kural 45In grace and gain the home excels, Where love with virtue sweetly dwells
Kural 46Who turns from righteous family To be a monk, what profits he?
Kural 47Of all who strive for bliss, the great Is he who leads the married state
Kural 48Straight in virtue, right in living Make men brighter than monks praying
Kural 49Home-life and virtue, are the same; Which spotless monkhood too can claim
Kural 50He is a man of divine worth Who lives in ideal home on earth