Tirukkural Chapter 13 - Couplets 7,8,9,10 Poem by Rajaram Ramachandran

Tirukkural Chapter 13 - Couplets 7,8,9,10

திருக்குறள் -THIRUKKURAL
அதிகாரம் 13- அடக்கமுடைமை
CHAPTER 13 - SELF CONTROL.
***
13/07. யாகாவார் ஆயினும் நாகாக்க; காவாக்கால்
சோகாப்பர் சொல்லிழுக்குப் பட்டு.

13/07. Yaakaavaar aayinum naakaakka; kaavaakkaal
Sokaappar sollizhukkup pattu.

13/07. If one doesn't control anything, let him at least control his tongue.
Otherwise, He will repent for his hurting words.
***
Disciple: If there's no control over tongue,
One will suffer in his life.

Guru: Yes, tongue performs dual functions
It tastes food and it non-stop speaks.
If both the actions are controlled
Then the problems will be limited.

Many of the diseases
Are due to this tongue
That wants junk food
Besides tasting regular food.

By slip of the tongue
When it utters something
World war breaks down
Destroying everything.
***
13/08. ஒன்றானும் தீச்சொல் பொருட்பயன் உண்டாயின்
நன்றாகா தாகி விடும்.

13/08. Onrraanum theechol porutpayan unndaayin
Nanrragaa thagi vidum.

13/08. While talking good words if one bad word mixes
In between harming others, then good words become useless.
***
Disciple: This is like one drop of poison in a cup of milk.

Guru: Yes, one should take care
While speaking with others,
As one bad word will damage
One's own self-image.

Only a drunkard speaks
Not knowing what he talks.
But a sane man should
Take care in his every word.

Likewise one should not eat
Whatever food they get,
But eat the one that suits
His health conditions.
***
13/09. தீயினால் சுட்டபுண் உள்ளாறும்; ஆறாதே
நாவினால் சுட்ட வடு.

13/09. Theeyinaal chuttapunn ullaarrum aarraadhey
Naavinaal chutta vadu.

13/09. The wound caused by fire, though painful, will heal,
But that caused by tongue will stay forever in the mind like a scar.
***
Disciple: Guruji, How a man's tongue cause damages?

Guru: True, mind is so delicate
It can't lifelong forget
Hurting words uttered
By tongue in a bad mood.

In the selection of words
One should use good words
And not hurting bad words
That'll ever remain in one's mind.

Each word has a life of its own,
One should weigh each one
While talking to others
Taking care of what he says.
***
13/10. கதம்காத்துக் கற்றடங்கல் ஆற்றுவான் செவ்வி
அறம்பார்க்கும் ஆற்றின் நுழைந்து.

13/10. Kadhamkaaththuk Katrradangal aarrtruvaan sevee
Arrampaarkkum aarrtrin nuzhaindhu.

13/10. An educated man, with self control, suppressing his anger,
Will be honored by the Goddess of Dharma.
***
Disciple: Guruji, with all the controls one has
Finally how he is honored?

Guru: He's an educated man,
Who shows no anger on anyone,
Observes self control all the time,
Talking nicely to everyone.

What more Qualification
One requires to be given
A promotion to the Heaven
For all his virtuous actions?

Goddess Dharma will run
To meet him for that reason
For all his good deeds
As a Heaven's reward.
***

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Rajaram Ramachandran

Rajaram Ramachandran

Chennai born, now at Juhu, Mumbai, India
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