Tirukkural Chapter 27 - Couplets 4,5,6 Poem by Rajaram Ramachandran

திருக்குறள் -TIRUKKURAL
அதிகாரம் 27 - தவம்
CHAPTER 27 - PENANCE
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27/04. ஒன்னார்த் தெறலும் உவந்தாரை ஆக்கலும்
எண்ணின் தவத்தான் வரும்.

27/04. Onnaarth therralum uvandhaarai aakkalum
Ennin thavathaan varum.

27/04. If an ascetic thinks of destroying an enemy or glorifying a friend,
His penance can fulfill his very thoughts.
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Disciple: An ascetic acquires a special power
To fulfill whatever he thinks, is it not?

Guru: There are several stories,
In our ancient scriptures,
About ascetics' special power
To know past, present and future.

A Sage cursed, Rambha turned into stone.
He blessed, Trisanku went to his heaven.
He could do and undo things,
No wonder, Sage Viswamitra, it was.

Many ascetics and babas
Have performed many miracles
With their special powers
We've seen with our eyes.
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27/05. வேண்டிய வேண்டியாங்கு எய்தலால் செய்தவம்
ஈண்டு முயலப் படும்.

27/05. Vendiya vendiyaangu eaidhalaal seithavam
Eenndu muyalap padum.

27/05. One can achieve whatever things he wants
So, he should try to do penance in this birth itself.
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Disciple: Guruji, I should start doing penance from now onwards.

Guru: 'A thought leads to a desire.
A desire leads to an action.
An action leads to a habit.
A habit leads to a character.
A character leads to destiny.'

These words of an ascetic,
Sounds more of poetic,
But what these words mean
Don't defer any good action.

For good actions will lead
To happy destiny at the end,
So, one should do now penance
Not at his own convenience.
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27/06. தவம்செய்வார் தம்கருமம் செய்வார்; மற் றல்லார்
அவம்செய்வார் ஆசையுள் பட்டு.

27/06. Thavamseivaar thamkarumam seivaar; marrt trallaar
Avamseivaar aasaiyull pattu.

27/06. An ascetic does his duty by doing penance.
Others fall into material desires thus inviting troubles.
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Disciple: What happens to one in material desires?

Guru: The duty of an ascetic is
To concentrate on his penance.
Others having material desires,
They fall into a pit of troubles.

Right leg on the spiritual path,
Left leg on the material path,
For one trying to do penance,
It'll not take him to any place.

'Detach from material world,
And attach to spiritual world, '
This should be the actual force
Behind one doing penance.
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