Chapter 94 – Gambling / Soodhu
Couplets / kuratpaakal
Couplet 931
Seek not the gamester’s play; though you should win,
Your gain is as the baited hook the fish takes in.
Explanation
Though able to win, let not one desire gambling; (for) even what is won is like a fish swallowing the iron in fish-hook.
Transliteration
Ventarka Vendritinum Soodhinai Vendradhooum
Thoontirpon Meenvizhungi Atru.
Couplet 932
Is there for gamblers, too, that gaining one a hundred lose, some way
That they may good obtain, and see a prosperous day.
Explanation
That they may good obtain, and see a prosperous day? Is there indeed a means of livelihood that can bestow happiness on gamblers who gain one and lose a hundred?
Transliteration
Ondreydhi Noorizhakkum Soodharkkum Untaangol
Nandreydhi Vaazhvadhor Aaru.
Couplet 933
If prince unceasing speak of nought but play,
Treasure and revenue will pass from him away.
Explanation
If the king is incessantly addicted to the rolling dice in the hope of gain, his wealth and the resources thereof will take their departure and fall into other’s hands.
Transliteration
Urulaayam Ovaadhu Koorin Porulaayam
Pooip Purame Patum.
Couplet 934
Gaming brings many woes, and ruins fair renown;
Nothing to want brings men so surely down.
Explanation
There is nothing else that brings (us) poverty like gambling which causes many a misery and destroys (one’s) reputation.
Transliteration
Sirumai Palaseydhu Seerazhikkum Soodhin
Varumai Tharuvadhondru Il.
Couplet 935
The dice, and gaming-hall, and gamester’s art, they eager sought,
Thirsting for gain- the men in other days who came to nought.
Explanation
Penniless are those who by reason of their attachment would never forsake gambling, the gamblingplace and the handling (of dice).
Transliteration
Kavarum Kazhakamum Kaiyum Tharukki
Ivariyaar Illaaki Yaar.
Couplet 936
Gambling’s Misfortune’s other name: o’er whom she casts her veil,
They suffer grievous want, and sorrows sore bewail.
Explanation
Those who are swallowed by the goddess called “gambling” will never have their hunger satisfied, but suffer the pangs of hell in the next world.
Transliteration
Akataaraar Allal Uzhapparsoo Thennum
Mukatiyaan Mootappat Taar.
Couplet 937
Ancestral wealth and noble fame to ruin haste,
If men in gambler’s halls their precious moments waste.
Explanation
To waste time at the place of gambling will destroy inherited wealth and goodness of character.
Transliteration
Pazhakiya Selvamum Panpum Ketukkum
Kazhakaththuk Kaalai Pukin.
Couplet 938
Gambling wastes wealth, to falsehood bends the soul: it drives away
All grace, and leaves the man to utter misery a prey.
Explanation
Gambling destroys property, teaches falsehood, puts an end to benevolence, and brings in misery (here and hereafter).
Transliteration
Porul Ketuththup Poimer Koleei Arulketuththu
Allal Uzhappikkum Soodhu.
Couplet 939
Clothes, wealth, food, praise, and learning, all depart
From him on gambler’s gain who sets his heart.
Explanation
The habit of gambling prevents the attainment of these five: clothing, wealth, food, fame and learning.
Transliteration
Utaiselvam Oonoli Kalviendru Aindhum
Ataiyaavaam Aayang Kolin.
Couplet 940
However he lose, the gambler’s heart is ever in the play;
E’en so the soul, despite its griefs, would live on earth alway.
Explanation
As the gambler loves (his vice) the more he loses by it, so does the soul love (the body) the more it suffers through it.
Transliteration
Izhaththoru?um Kaadhalikkum Soodhepol Thunpam
Uzhaththoru?um Kaadhatru Uyir.
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