Chapter 4 – Assertion of the Strength of Virtue / Aran Valiyuruththal
Couplets / kuratpaakal
- It yields distinction, yields prosperity; what gain
Greater than virtue can a living man obtain.
Explanation
Virtue will confer heaven and wealth; what greater source of happiness can man possess?.
Transliteration
Sirappu Eenum Selvamum Eenum Araththinooungu
Aakkam Evano Uyirkku.
- No greater gain than virtue aught can cause;
No greater loss than life oblivious of her laws.
Explanation
There can be no greater source of good than (the practice of) virtue; there can be no greater source of evil than the forgetfulness of it.
Transliteration
Araththinooungu Aakkamum Illai Adhanai
Maraththalin Oongillai Ketu.
- To finish virtue’s work with ceaseless effort strive,
What way thou may’st, where’er thou see’st the work may thrive.
Explanation
As much as possible, in every way, incessantly practise virtue.
Transliteration
Ollum Vakaiyaan Aravinai Ovaadhe
Sellumvaai Ellaanj Cheyal.
- Spotless, be thou in mind! This only merit virtue’s name;
All else, mere pomp of idle sound, no real worth can claim.
Explanation
Let him who does virtuous deeds be of spotless mind; to that extent is virtue; all else is vain show.
Transliteration
Manaththukkan Maasilan Aadhal Anaiththu Aran
Aakula Neera Pira.
- ‘Tis virtue when, his footsteps sliding not through envy, wrath,
Lust, evil speech-these four, man onwards moves in ordered path.
Explanation
That conduct is virtue which is free from these four things, viz, malice, desire, anger and bitter speech.
Transliteration
Azhukkaaru Avaavekuli Innaachchol Naankum
Izhukkaa Iyandradhu Aram.
- Do deeds of virtue now Say not, ‘To-morrow we’ll be wise’;
Thus, when thou diest, shalt thou find a help that never dies.
Explanation
Defer not virtue to another day; receive her now; and at the dying hour she will be your undying friend.
Transliteration
Andrarivaam Ennaadhu Aranjeyka Matradhu
Pondrungaal Pondraath Thunai.
- Needs not in words to dwell on virtue’s fruits: compare
The man in litter borne with them that toiling bear.
Explanation
The fruit of virtue need not be described in books; it may be inferred from seeing the bearer of a palanquin and the rider therein.
Transliteration
Araththaaru Ithuvena Ventaa Sivikai
Poruththaanotu Oorndhaan Itai.
- If no day passing idly, good to do each day you toil,
A stone it will be to block the way of future days of moil.
Explanation
If one allows no day to pass without some good being done, his conduct will be a stone to block up the passage to other births.
Transliteration
Veezhnaal Pataaamai Nandraatrin Aqdhoruvan
Vaazhnaal Vazhiyataikkum Kal.
- What from virtue floweth, yieldeth dear delight;
All else extern, is void of glory’s light.
Explanation
Only that pleasure which flows from domestic virtue is pleasure; all else is not pleasure, and it is without praise.
Transliteration
Araththaan Varuvadhe Inpam Mar Rellaam
Puraththa Pukazhum Ila.
- ‘Virtue’ sums the things that should be done;
‘Vice’ sums the things that man should shun.
Explanation
That is virtue which each ought to do, and that is vice which each should shun.
Transliteration
Seyarpaala Thorum Arane Oruvarku
Uyarpaala Thorum Pazhi.
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