Tirukkural Chapter 99 - Couplets 4,5,6 Poem by Rajaram Ramachandran

திருக்குறள் -TIRUKKURAL
அதிகாரம் 99 - சான்றாண்மை
CHAPTER 99 - GOOD CONDUCT
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99/04. கொல்லா நலத்தது நோன்மை; பிறர்தீமை
சொல்லா நலத்தது சால்பு.

99/04. Kollaa nalathathu nonmai; pirrartheemai
Sollaa nalathathu saalbhu.

99/04. To do penance one must not kill other lives.
Likewise, good conduct means one must not even spell his by mouth
those words which will bring troubles to others.
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Aruna: How the poet has compared good conduct
With one doing penance?

Nirmala: Good conduct and penance,
Both are difficult to practice,
That is why, he has compared
These two things to be followed.

Two or three at least
Out of five in the list
If people follow by chance,
It is a good sign of progress.

Let them all make a start,
Towards good conduct,
Perhaps they may reach it,
Completing all the five in the list.
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99/05. ஆற்றுவார் ஆற்றல் பணிதல்; அதுசான்றோர்
மாற்றாரை மாற்றும் படை.

99/05. Atrruvaar atrral pannidhal; adhusaandrror
Matrraarai matrrum padai.

99/05. One's submissiveness before great people
Will make even enemies as friends.
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Aruna: Submissiveness always,
Pays one rich dividends
In the long run.

Nirmala: One cannot easily find,
A person with ego mind,
To be submissive before others,
As he's prevented by his arrogance.

The word submissiveness,
Doesn't mean that one must,
Go and touch other man's feet,
But it means one's politeness.

There is no harm if one,
Shows politeness in his words,
As well as in his deeds,
Which is expected of that person.
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99/06. சால்பிற்குக் கட்டளை யாதெனின் தோல்வி
துலையல்லார் கண்ணும் கொளல்.

99/06. Salbirrkkuk kattallai yaadhenin tholvi
Thulaiyallaar kannum kollal.

99/06. Just like the purity of gold is known
by rubbing it on touchstone,
Good conduct is tested by one's accepting his defeat
Before a person who is lower than your status.
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Aruna: Good conduct is meant for all
There is no higher or lower status in that.

Nirmala: Here the poet states,
A person of higher status
Must accept his defeat
To a man of lower status.

By rubbing gold again and again
On the surface of a touchstone,
Its purity, the gold smith finds,
Before making ornaments.

Likewise, the good conduct of a man
Is found if he owns his mistakes
Before a man of lower status
Without minding his higher status.
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