Tirukkural Chapter 13 - Couplets 4,5,6 Poem by Rajaram Ramachandran

திருக்குறள் -THIRUKKURAL
அதிகாரம் 13- அடக்கமுடைமை
CHAPTER 13 - SELF CONTROL.
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13/04. நிலையில் திரியாது அடங்கியான் தோற்றம்
மலையினும் மாணப் பெரிது.

13/04. Nilaiyil thiriyaadhu adangiyaan thorrtram
Malaiyinum maannap peridhu.

13/04. If a man of high status has self control
He'll go higher than the top of a mountain.
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Disciple: How a man of high status can be
So rigid to go for self control?

Guruji: Yes it's not so easy for such people,
Yet, if he practices self control,
Then the poet says that
He'll achieve greater height.

In the material way
It may not work
But in the spiritual way
It should work.

Spirituality without self control
Is no spirituality at all,
But in the world of money
It's difficult to do by many.
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13/05. எல்லார்க்கும் நன்றாம் பணிதல்; அவருள்ளும்
செல்வர்க்கே செல்வம் தகைத்து

13/05. Ellaarkkum nanrraam pannithal; avarullum
Selvarkke selvam thagaiththu.

13/05. To be humble it's good for all; If rich men are humble
It's like they have one more asset.
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Disciple: Are rich people really humble?

Guru: They show that they are humble,
But are they really humble?
When money comes in between,
How they react in that situation?

If they're humble well and good
It's one more asset for their good.
The more humble they are
It's good for them forever.

There are many rich people,
Who care for poor people,
And donate to many institutions
Which serve their needs.
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13/06. ஒருமையுள் ஆமைபோல் ஐந்தடக்கல் ஆற்றின்
எழுமையும் ஏமாப்பு உடைத்து.

13/06. Orumaiyull aamaipaol iynthadakkal aarrtrrin
Ezhumaiyum emaappu udaiththu.

13/06. Just like a tortoise withdraws its five limbs, if one withdraws
His five senses, he will come up well in his seven births.
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Disciple: What kind of practice rich should do?

Guru: During danger time, tortoise
Withdraws its five limbs
Inside its thick shell
Just covering it well.

If rich withdraw from five senses
Mouth, nose, eyes, nose,
Body feelings, they'll
Flourish in their seven births.

Only very few are rich,
Many are not rich
Who have to work hard
And earn their livelihood.
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