Thirukkural 8 in English

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

Tamil original

அறவாழி அந்தணன் தாள்சேர்ந்தார்க் கல்லால்
பிறவாழி நீந்தல் அரிது.

Transliteration

Aravaazhi Andhanan Thaalserndhaark Kallaal
Piravaazhi Neendhal Aridhu

English Translation

“Who swims the sea of vice is he Who clasps the feet of Virtue's sea”

Plain-English meaning

None can swim the sea of vice, but those who are united to the feet of that gracious Being who is a sea of virtue

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

Who swims the sea of vice is he Who clasps the feet of Virtue's sea

G.U. Pope Translation

Unless His feet 'the Sea of Good, the Fair and Bountiful,' men gain,'Tis hard the further bank of being's changeful sea to attain

Plain-English Meaning

None can swim the sea of vice, but those who are united to the feet of that gracious Being who is a sea of virtue

அறக்கடலான கடவுளின் திருவடிகளை சேர்ந்தவரே அல்லாமல் மற்றவர் பிறவியாக கடலை நீந்திக் கடப்பது கடினம்

Chapter 1

கடவுள் வாழ்த்து

'A' leads letters; the Ancient Lord Leads and lords the entire world

That lore is vain which does not fall At His good feet who knoweth all

Long they live on earth who gain The feet of God in florid brain

Who hold His feet who likes nor loathes Are free from woes of human births

God's praise who tell, are free from right And wrong, the twins of dreaming night

They prosper long who walk His way Who has the senses signed away

His feet, whose likeness none can find, Alone can ease the anxious mind

Who swims the sea of vice is he Who clasps the feet of Virtue's sea

Like senses stale that head is vain Which bows not to Eight-Virtued Divine

The sea of births they alone swim Who clench His feet and cleave to Him