Thirukkural 413 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
செவியுணவிற் கேள்வி யுடையார் அவியுணவின்
ஆன்றாரோ டொப்பர் நிலத்து.
Transliteration
Seviyunavir Kelvi Yutaiyaar Aviyunavin
Aandraaro Toppar Nilaththu
Modern English
“People who nourish themselves through listening and learning gain a dignity that rises above their circumstances.”
Modern Interpretation
People who nourish themselves through listening and learning gain a dignity that rises above their circumstances. For example, a student who learns from every teacher can grow in wisdom even without wealth or privilege.
Listen
Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
People who nourish themselves through listening and learning gain a dignity that rises above their circumstances.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Whose ears get lots of wisdom-food Equal gods on oblations fed
G.U. Pope Translation
Who feed their ear with learned teachings rare,Are like the happy gods oblations rich who share
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Those who in this world enjoy instruction which is the food of the ear, are equal to the Gods, who enjoy the food of the sacrifices
Tamil commentary
செவி உணவாகிய கேள்வியைப் பெற்றிருப்பவர் இப்பூமியில் வாழ்பவரே என்றாலும், வேள்வித் தீயில் கொடுக்கப்படும் நெய் முதலிய உணவைப் பெறும் விண்ணுலகத் தேவர்க்குச் சமமாவர்.
Chapter 42
More from Hearing
கேள்வி
Wealth of wealths is listening's wealth It is the best of wealths on earth
Kural 412Some food for the stomach is brought When the ear gets no food for thought
Kural 413Whose ears get lots of wisdom-food Equal gods on oblations fed
Kural 414Though not learned, hear and heed That serves a staff and stay in need
Kural 415Virtuous men's wisdom is found A strong staff on slippery ground
Kural 416Lend ear to good words however few That much will highly exalt you
Kural 417Who listen well and learn sharply Not ev'n by slip speak foolishly
Kural 418That ear though hearing is dulled Which is not by wisdom drilled
Kural 419A modest mouth is hard for those Who care little to counsels wise
Kural 420Who taste by mouth and not by ear What if they fare ill or well here?