Kural 54Chapter 6: The Worth of a Wife

Thirukkural 54 in English

Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.

Tamil original

பெண்ணின் பெருந்தக்க யாவுள கற்பென்னும்
திண்மைஉண் டாகப் பெறின்.

Transliteration

Pennin Perundhakka Yaavula Karpennum
Thinmaiun Taakap Perin

Modern English

“The Kural praises steadfastness and loyalty in a life partner.”

Modern Interpretation

The Kural praises steadfastness and loyalty in a life partner. Here, chastity is best understood as inner strength, faithfulness, and commitment rather than as a reason to control someone. For example, a partner who keeps their promises and protects the trust within the relationship shows a strength more valuable than wealth or beauty.

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Modern Plain English

The Kural praises steadfastness and loyalty in a life partner.

Poetic Couplet (Bharati)

What greater fortune is for men Than a constant chaste woman?

G.U. Pope Translation

If woman might of chastity retain,What choicer treasure doth the world contain

Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)

What is more excellent than a wife, if she possess the stability of chastity ?

Tamil commentary

கற்பு எனப்படும் மன உறுதி மட்டும் பெண்ணிடம் இருக்குமானால் மனைவியைக் காட்டிலும் மேலானவை எவை?

Chapter 6

More from The Worth of a Wife

வாழ்க்கைத் துணைநலம்

Read all 10 Kurals →

Kural 51

A good housewife befits the house, Spending with thrift the mate's resource

Kural 52

Bright is home when wife is chaste If not all greatness is but waste

Kural 53

What is rare when wife is good What can be there when she is bad?

Kural 54

What greater fortune is for men Than a constant chaste woman?

Kural 55

Her spouse before God who adores, Is like rain that at request pours

Kural 56

The good wife guards herself from blame, She tends her spouse and brings him fame

Kural 57

Of what avail are watch and ward? Their purity is women's guard

Kural 58

Women who win their husbands' heart Shall flourish where the gods resort

Kural 59

A cuckold has not the lion-like gait Before his detractors aright

Kural 60

An honest wife is home's delight And children good are jewels abright