Chapter 37 – Curbing of Desire / Avaavaruththal
Couplets / kuratpaakal
Couplet 361
The wise declare, through all the days, to every living thing
That ceaseless round of birth from seed of strong desire doth spring.
Explanation
(The wise) say that the seed, which produces unceasing births, at all times, to all creatures, is desire.
Transliteration
Avaaenpa Ellaa Uyirkkum Enj Gnaandrum
Thavaaap Pirappeenum Viththu.
Couplet 362
If desire you feel, freedom from changing birth require!
‘I’ will come, if you desire to ‘scape, set free from all desire.
Explanation
If anything be desired, freedom from births should be desired; that (freedom from births) will be attained by desiring to be without desire.
Transliteration
Ventungaal Ventum Piravaamai Matradhu
Ventaamai Venta Varum.
Couplet 363
No glorious wealth is here like freedom from desire;
To bliss like this not even there can soul aspire.
Explanation
There is in this world no excellence equal to freedom from desire; and even in that world, there is nothing like it.
Transliteration
Ventaamai Anna Vizhuchchelvam Eentillai
Aantum Aqdhoppadhu Il.
Couplet 364
Desire’s decease as purity men know;
That, too, from yearning search for truth will grow.
Explanation
Purity (of mind) consists in freedom from desire; and that (freedom from desire) is the fruit of the love of truth.
Transliteration
Thoouymai Enpadhu Avaavinmai Matradhu
Vaaaimai Venta Varum.
Couplet 365
Men freed from bonds of strong desire are free;
None other share such perfect liberty.
Explanation
They are said to be free (from future birth) who are freed from desire; all others (who, whatever else they may be free from, are not freed from desire) are not thus free.
Transliteration
Atravar Enpaar Avaaatraar Matraiyaar
Atraaka Atradhu Ilar.
Couplet 366
Desire each soul beguiles;
True virtue dreads its wiles.
Explanation
It is the chief duty of (an ascetic) to watch against desire with (jealous) fear; for it has power to deceive (and destroy) him.
Transliteration
Anjuva Thorum Arane Oruvanai
Vanjippa Thorum Avaa.
Couplet 367
Who thoroughly rids his life of passion-prompted deed,
Deeds of unfailing worth shall do, which, as he plans, succeed.
Explanation
If a man thoroughly cut off all desire, the deeds, which confer immortality, will come to him, in the path in which he seeks them.
Transliteration
Avaavinai Aatra Aruppin Thavaavinai
Thaanventu Maatraan Varum.
Couplet 368
Affliction is not known where no desires abide;
Where these are, endless rises sorrow’s tide.
Explanation
There is no sorrow to those who are without desire; but where that is, (sorrow) will incessantly come, more and more.
Transliteration
Avaaillaark Killaakun Thunpam Aqdhuntel
Thavaaadhu Menmel Varum.
Couplet 369
When dies away desire, that woe of woes
Ev’n here the soul unceasing rapture knows.
Explanation
Even while in this body, joy will never depart (from the mind, in which) desire, that sorrow of sorrows, has been destroyed.
Transliteration
Inpam Itaiyaraa Theentum Avaavennum
Thunpaththul Thunpang Ketin.
Couplet 370
Drive from thy soul desire insatiate;
Straight’way is gained the moveless blissful state.
Explanation
The removal of desire, whose nature it is never to be satisfied, will immediately confer a nature that can never be changed.
Transliteration
Aaraa Iyarkai Avaaneeppin Annilaiye
Peraa Iyarkai Tharum.
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