Tirukkural Chapter 24 - Couplets 1,2,3 Poem by Rajaram Ramachandran

திருக்குறள் -THIRUKKURAL
அதிகாரம் 24 - புகழ்
CHAPTER 24 - ON FAME
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24/01. ஈதல்; இசைபட வாழ்தல்; அதுவல்லது
ஊதியம் இல்லை உயிர்க்கு.

24/01. Eedhal; isaipada vazhdhal; adhuvalladhu
Uudhiyam illai uyirkku.

24/01. Give poor what they want and gain fame for that.
Apart from that fame, nothing else will benefit one.
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Radha: Madhavi, one is born to earn fame
Otherwise what is the use of his birth?

Madhavi, Yes Radha, one way to get fame is
Helping the poor people in distress,
And more than that nothing else is
More beneficial to one who saves lives.

Name and fame one gets
Not by the size of his estates
But by his noble deeds,
To meet the sufferers' needs.

Little drops of water
Makes this mighty ocean
And little grains of sand
Makes this mighty land.

Like this, if one man
Helps another man,
A new world begins
Where no one suffers.
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24/02. உரைப்பார் உரைப்பவை எல்லாம் இரப்பார்க்கொன்று
ஈவார்மேல் நிற்கும் புகழ்.

24/02. Uraippaar uraippavai ellaam irappaarkkondru
Evaarmael nirrkkum pughazh.

24/02. About a donor's fame, whatever to be told,
Persons receiving his help will spread.
***
Radha: A donor helps deserving people,
Who go and tell others about him.

Madhavi: A donor doesn't require
Any publicity, as the gift-receivers
Will spread the news of his good nature
To the nook and corner, everywhere.

It's like a flower shop known
By its sweet smell to everyone,
The news about the donor
It spreads widely like forest fire.

Where there is a jackfruit,
All the flies will visit,
Uninvited by anyone,
And try to sit on the fruit.
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24/03. ஒன்றா உலகத்து உயர்ந்த புகழ்அல்லால்
பொன்றாது நிற்பதொன்று இல்.

24/03. Ondraa ulaghaththu uyarndha pugazhallaal
Pondraadhu nirrpadondru ill.

24/03. There is nothing worthy in the world
Other than the everlasting fame one has.
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Radha: Many famous persons
As well as institutions are there
To help deserving people.

Madhavi: Yes, I agree with you
And wish to tell you,
Many do undue publicity,
That shows their vanity.

Fame cannot be bought
But it should be got
By one's personal efforts
Besides his helpful deeds.

When one throws pebbles
There appear ripples
Over the surface of water,
But soon they disappear.

Likewise any popular name,
Or its widespread fame,
Disappear in course of time
With no retrace of the same.
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