Tirukkural Chapter 54 - Couplets 4,5,6 Poem by Rajaram Ramachandran

Tirukkural Chapter 54 - Couplets 4,5,6

திருக்குறள் -TIRUKKURAL
அதிகாரம் 54 - பொச்சாவாமை
CHAPTER 54- AGAINST FORGETFULNESS
***
54/04. அச்சம் உடையார்க்கு அரணில்லை; ஆங்கில்லை
பொச்சாப்பு உடையார்க்கு நன்கு.

54/04. Achcham udaiyaarkku arannillai; aangillai
Pochchaappu udaiyaarkku nangu.

54/04. A coward, who is mentally afraid, finds his fortress for self defense useless.
Likewise, for a forgetful man, finds his abundant wealth useless.
***
Mythili: What is the use of wealth when one forgets everything?

Swati: When one forgets things
He's like a walking corpse,
As he can't remember,
His existence is what for?

If for his convenience
He forgets many things
Then he'll lose his name
As well as his fame.

What an irony of fate it is?
This world is like this.
Man forgets, he has wealth!
Man remembers, but has no wealth!
***
54/05. முன்னுறக் காவாது இழுக்கியான் தன்பிழை
பின்ஊறு இரங்கி விடும்.

54/05. Munnurrak kaavaadhu izhukkiyaan thanpizhai
Pinoorru irangi vidum.

54/05. One who has not foreseen evil that is sure to come
When it actually comes he'll regret for his forgetfulness.
***
Mythili: Can he not even foresee evils in his own interest?
How can he forget this also?

Swati: There're some people like this
They don't expect sufferings
But cry when they actually suffer
And regret for their forgetfulness later.

One will be well prepared
Had he earlier expected
Something bad will happen
And will not forget then.

Only when one forgets
He realizes his mistakes
In not making preparations
To meet his sufferings.
***
54/06. இழுக்காமை யார்மாட்டும் என்றும் வழுக்காமை
வாயின் அதுஒப்பது இல்.

54/06. Izhukkaamai yaarmaattum endrum vazhukkaamai
Vaayin adhuoppadhu il.

54/06. If it happens that one is not forgetful with others anytime
There is no greater advantage than that.
***
Mythili: It is a good thing
That one well remembers others.

Swati: Yes, it's a good thing
That one is remembering
Other people always
For his own benefits.

He'll also be well prepared
To meet anything bad
That may come eventually
And will not regret simply.

The mutual relationships then,
Among all of them thicken,
That leads to peaceful
Co-existence as well.
***

Friday, September 30, 2016
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Rajaram Ramachandran

Rajaram Ramachandran

Chennai born, now at Juhu, Mumbai, India
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