Tirukkural Chapter 80 - Couplets 4,5,6 Poem by Rajaram Ramachandran

திருக்குறள் -TIRUKKURAL
அதிகாரம் 80 - நட்பாராயதல்
CHAPTER 80 - TESTING FRIENDSHIP.
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80/04. குடிப்பிறந்து தன்கண் பழிநாணு வானைக்
கொடுத்தும் கொளல்வேண்டும் நட்பு.

80/04. Kudippirrandhu thankann pazhinaannu vaanaik
Koduththum kollalvendum natpu.

80/04. One must make friendship with a person,
born in a reputed family, who fears for any blame,
even by giving him what things he wants.
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Indrajit: Yes, one can make a reputed family person
As his friends as the poet says.

Niranjan: One must select a person
Of higher status well known
In his family circles before,
As his close friend forever.

About this decent selection,
He's happy to mention,
That there was no occasion,
For any kind of confrontation.

A friend of this kind
One must always find
To safeguard his interest
With no chance to regret.
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80/05. அழச்சொல்லி அல்லது இடித்து வழக்கறிய
வல்லார்நட்பு ஆய்ந்து கொளல்.

80/05. Azhachcholli alladhu idiththu vazhakkarriya
Vallaarnatpu aaindhu kollal.

80/05. A person, who earnestly obstruct one doing unworldly things,
and make him do worldly things is the fittest person to be his friend.
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Indrajit: In other words, a person must be
A friend, philosopher and guide in all respects.

Niranjan: It is good that he's his friend
Philosopher and also a guide,
As he'll be useful to learn
Everyday a new lesson.

A friend must be always
One step above person
To learn many things,
And not a below person.

One step below person
Will pull his legs down
Whenever occasion arises
Making his life useless.
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80/06. கேட்டினும் உண்டோர் உறுதி கிளைஞரை
நீட்டி யளப்பதோர் கோல்.

80/06. Kettinum unndoar urrudhi killaingarai
Neeti yallappadhoar koal.

80/06. For one there is an advantage if any harm comes to him.
That will be a scale to measure his friend's behavior.
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Indrajit: When any harm comes
Away if a friend runs,
Then he's not a real friend.

Niranjan: For this reason only the poet
Says, it is an opportunity to test
His friendship, if he's real one,
Or he's a fake person?

He says that it is a scale
To measure him, if he's real
Or just a fake companion
To make good his fortune.

Thank God for that occasion
To throw out that companion
Who acted like a friend,
But cheated him at the end.
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