Thirukkural 47 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
இயல்பினான் இல்வாழ்க்கை வாழ்பவன் என்பான்
முயல்வாருள் எல்லாம் தலை.
Transliteration
Iyalpinaan Ilvaazhkkai Vaazhpavan Enpaan
Muyalvaarul Ellaam Thalai
Modern English
“Among people trying to live a good life, the person who fulfils family responsibilities with wisdom and integrity deserves great respect.”
Modern Interpretation
Among people trying to live a good life, the person who fulfils family responsibilities with wisdom and integrity deserves great respect. Family life tests patience, fairness, and selflessness every day. For example, caring for children while supporting a partner and earning an honest living requires steady effort that is easy to overlook but deeply valuable.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
Among people trying to live a good life, the person who fulfils family responsibilities with wisdom and integrity deserves great respect.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Of all who strive for bliss, the great Is he who leads the married state
G.U. Pope Translation
In nature's way who spends his calm domestic days,'Mid all that strive for virtue's crown hath foremost place
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Among all those who labour (for future happiness) he is greatest who lives well in the household state
Tamil commentary
கடவுளை அறியவும், அடையவும் முயல்பவருள் மனைவியோடு கூடிய வாழ்க்கையை அதற்குரிய இயல்புகளோடு வாழ்பவனே முதன்மையானவன்.
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