Thirukkural 69 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
ஈன்ற பொழுதின் பெரிதுவக்கும் தன்மகனைச்
சான்றோன் எனக்கேட்ட தாய்.
Transliteration
Eendra Pozhudhin Peridhuvakkum Thanmakanaich
Chaandron Enakketta Thaai
Modern English
“A parent feels great joy when others recognize a child for wisdom and good character.”
Modern Interpretation
A parent feels great joy when others recognize a child for wisdom and good character. The verse says this praise can be even more meaningful than the happiness of the child's birth. For example, a mother may feel especially proud when a teacher says her child is honest, thoughtful, and helpful to classmates.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
A parent feels great joy when others recognize a child for wisdom and good character.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
The mother, hearing her son's merit Delights more than when she begot
G.U. Pope Translation
When mother hears him named 'fulfill'd of wisdom's lore,'Far greater joy she feels, than when her son she bore
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
The mother who hears her son called "a wise man" will rejoice more than she did at his birth
Tamil commentary
தம் மகனைக் கல்வி ஒழுக்கங்களால் நிறைந்தவன் என்று அறிவுடையோர் கூற அதைக் கேட்ட தாய், அவனைப் பெற்ற பொழுதைக் காட்டிலும் மிகுதியாக மகிழ்வாள்.
Chapter 7
More from The Wealth of Children
மக்கட்பேறு
The world no higher bliss bestows Than children virtuous and wise
Kural 62No evil comes and no blemish; Noble sons bring all we wish
Kural 63Children are one's wealth indeed Their wealth is measured by their deed
Kural 64The food is more than nectar sweet In which one's children hands insert
Kural 65Children's touch delights the body Sweet to ears are their words lovely
Kural 66The flute and lute are sweet they say Deaf to baby's babble's lay!
Kural 67A father's duty to his son is To seat him in front of the wise
Kural 68With joy the hearts of parents swell To see their children themselves excel
Kural 69The mother, hearing her son's merit Delights more than when she begot
Kural 70The son to sire this word is debt \"What penance such a son begot!\"