Thirukkural 7 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
தனக்குவமை இல்லாதான் தாள்சேர்ந்தார்க் கல்லால்
மனக்கவலை மாற்றல் அரிது.
Transliteration
Thanakkuvamai Illaadhaan Thaalserndhaark Kallaal
Manakkavalai Maatral Aridhu
Modern English
“Everyone faces worry at some point.”
Modern Interpretation
Everyone faces worry at some point. We worry about our health, family, money, career, relationships, or the future. Many people try to escape worry by constantly staying busy, seeking distractions, or waiting for problems to disappear. Yet peace rarely comes that way. Real peace comes when we develop wisdom, perspective, and trust in values that are greater than our immediate fears. For example, two people face the same financial setback. One becomes overwhelmed with anxiety and loses hope. The other accepts the situation, focuses on what can be controlled, and moves forward one step at a time. Their problems may be similar, but their state of mind is very different. This Kural reminds us that inner strength and wisdom help us face life's challenges without being consumed by worry.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
Everyone faces worry at some point.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
His feet, whose likeness none can find, Alone can ease the anxious mind
G.U. Pope Translation
Unless His foot, 'to Whom none can compare,' men gain,'Tis hard for mind to find relief from anxious pain
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Anxiety of mind cannot be removed, except from those who are united to the feet of Him who is incomparable
Tamil commentary
தனக்கு இணையில்லாத கடவுளின் திருவடிகளைச் சேர்ந்தவர்க்கே அன்றி, மற்றவர்களுக்கு மனக்கவலையைப் போக்குவது கடினம்
Chapter 1
More from The Praise of God
கடவுள் வாழ்த்து
'A' leads letters; the Ancient Lord Leads and lords the entire world
Kural 2That lore is vain which does not fall At His good feet who knoweth all
Kural 3Long they live on earth who gain The feet of God in florid brain
Kural 4Who hold His feet who likes nor loathes Are free from woes of human births
Kural 5God's praise who tell, are free from right And wrong, the twins of dreaming night
Kural 6They prosper long who walk His way Who has the senses signed away
Kural 7His feet, whose likeness none can find, Alone can ease the anxious mind
Kural 8Who swims the sea of vice is he Who clasps the feet of Virtue's sea
Kural 9Like senses stale that head is vain Which bows not to Eight-Virtued Divine
Kural 10The sea of births they alone swim Who clench His feet and cleave to Him