Tirukkural Chapter 58 - Couplets 4,5,6 Poem by Rajaram Ramachandran

திருக்குறள் -TIRUKKURAL
அதிகாரம் 58 - கண்ணோட்டம்.
CHAPTER 58 - TO LOOK KEENLY/KINDLINESS
***
58/04. உளபோல் முகத்தெவன் செய்யும் அளவினால்
கண்ணோட்டம் இல்லாத கண்?

58/04. Ullapoal mugaththevan seiyum allavinaal
Kannottam illadha kann?

58/04. Both eyes are there in one's face
Of what use are both the eyes if there is no keenness? ***
Bhaskar: There is no use of the two eyes if they are not used properly.

Maheshwar: There is a statue with two eyes.
But does it observe with keenness?
No, like that one has two eyes,
But of no use they're without keenness.

The world is full of mystery.
One must know its history
And sharpen his keenness
To observe and learn many things.

One must be the eyes and ears
Of this world that is full of news
For him to see, hear and learn
And expand his knowledge then.
***
58/05. கண்ணிற்கு அணிகலம் கண்ணோட்டம்; அஃதின்றேல்
புண்ணென்று உணரப் படும்.

58/05. Kannirrkku annikalam kannottam; akthinrreal
Punnendru unnarap padum.

58/05. Keenness beautifies the eyes; if it is no there they are just wounds wise men say.
They appear to be eyes on the face, but they are of no use.
***
Bhaskar: Keen observation beautifies the two eyes,
Otherwise they are two dull pieces only.

Maheshwar: Kindness and Keenness in eyes
Both beautifies one's face
If they are not there, the eyes,
Like wounds, are two dummy pieces.

A keen sense of observation,
Enriches knowledge of one,
He becomes another wise man
To join that group soon.

Train yourself to be kind
That'll soften your mind.
Train yourself to be keen
Amidst wise men to join.
***
58/06. மண்ணோடு இயைந்த மரத்தனையர் கண்ணோடு
இயைந்துகண் ணோடா தவர்.

58/06. Mannodu iyaindha marathanaiyar kannodu
Iyaindhukann nodaa dhavar.

58/06. When there is no kindliness and keen observation
The eyes of a worldly man are just like a tree with one sense that grows in mud.
***
Bhaskar: What is the difference between a man and a tree
If he has no kindliness and keen sense of observation?

Maheswar: A man has got six senses
While a tree has one sense,
If he has no keen sense
Of what use are his two eyes?

The eyes reflect kindliness
And also keen sense
Of observation to learn
A world of useful lessons.

If both qualities are absent
Then two eyes are present
With no proper uses
Despite man's six senses.
***