Thirukkural 49 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
அறனெனப் பட்டதே இல்வாழ்க்கை அஃதும்
பிறன்பழிப்ப தில்லாயின் நன்று.
Transliteration
Aran Enap Pattadhe Ilvaazhkkai
Aqdhum Piranpazhippa Thillaayin Nandru
Modern English
“Family life deserves to be called virtuous when it is lived with responsibility and does not cause others to condemn it.”
Modern Interpretation
Family life deserves to be called virtuous when it is lived with responsibility and does not cause others to condemn it. Marriage itself is not automatically good; its value depends on how people treat one another and those around them. For example, a couple who resolves disagreements respectfully, cares for dependants, and avoids harming others gives their household a good name.
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Modern Plain English
Family life deserves to be called virtuous when it is lived with responsibility and does not cause others to condemn it.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Home-life and virtue, are the same; Which spotless monkhood too can claim
G.U. Pope Translation
The life domestic rightly bears true virtue's name;That other too, if blameless found, due praise may claim
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
The marriage state is truly called virtue The other state is also good, if others do not reproach it
Tamil commentary
அறம் என்று சிறப்பிக்கப்பட்டது, மனைவியுடன் வாழும் வாழ்க்கையே; துறவற வாழ்க்கையும், பிறரால் பழிக்கப்படாமல் இருக்குமானால் நல்லது.
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