Nalvali Moothurai Those who seek the trunk faced Lord with red-coral like complexion and worship his feet with flowers without fail will be blessed with good speech (literary ability, knowledge), good heart (good thoughts). They will also have the favourable looks of the Goddess seated on lotus (Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth) and their bodies shall not be afflicted with diseases. Wealth is knowledge, material and also good health. These are ensured if one is devoted to Lord Ganesha. One need not worry and doubt about a help extended to another as to when he will return the help. A well-grown, strong coconut tree returns the water drawn from the ground in the form of sweet water. Likewise, a help extended to a good man shall be returned by him, in time. One should extend help without expectations. But in everyday life, man expects something in return for his good deeds. Some might expect a return in equal magnitude, some more, and many expect a timely help in turn. The least one expects from another (whom he helped) is gratitude. “nallAroruvarkku saida upakAram…” The help extended to a good man is like words sculpted on stone (rock, boulder) and will last long. Conversely, the help extended to those with unkind hearts, is akin to words written on water, which will vanish even while writing it. “innA illamai varumai….” Poverty in one’s youth is painful. Pleasurable things are painful in old age. So are the flowers which bloom during periods when they cannot be worn and a beautiful maiden without a mate. One is endowed with physical capabilities in young age. All sorts of indulgences will then be enjoyable. But if one does not have material wealth, one cannot enjoy the pleasures. So, it is painful to be poor when young. “Attaalum paal suvayir kunraadalavalaai nattaalum nanbu allaar nanbu allar kettaalum menmakkal menmakkaley sangu suttaalum venmai tharum” Milk will not diminish in taste even if it is boiled well. A conch gets whiter with application of heat. Likewise, great men (people of noble character) will still be of noble nature even in poverty. But, those who do not possess such good traits are not good friends even though they are friendly. Bhartrihari’s description of great men is on similar lines. One should have the integrity of character even in bad times. Opportunists change with times. Consistency in nature is noticed in all creatures except man, “Aduthu muyanraalumaagu naalanri edutha karumangal aagaa – thodutha eruvathaal neenda uyar marangal ellam paruvathaal anrippazhaa” A tall, well-branched-out tree will not bear fruit prior to the season. Likewise, though many efforts are taken one after another, the projects (or actions) undertaken will not be completed until the day of completion (time is ripe) comes. There could be two interpretations to this poem: one with reference to timely efforts and another, fatalistic. One can plan actions based on the right time, to a good extent. But even then many an action does not yield the desired result. “Urra idathil uyir vazhangum thanmaiyoor parralalaraikkandaal panivaaroo? – kalthoon pilanthu iruvathallaal perumbaaram thaangin thalarnthu valayumoo than” A stone pillar when loaded with a heavy weight does not break or bend. Likewise, when faced with disrespect, men of noble character shall sacrifice their lives rather than bow to the enemies. “Neeralave aagumaam neeraambal; than katra nool alavey aagumaam nunnarivu – meylaith thavathalavey aagumaam than petra selvam kulathalavey aagumaam gunam” The water lily shall grow as high as the depth of water in the pond. Likewise, sensible knowledge shall equal as much as the knowledge one has gained from books. The wealth one gains shall be (as much) based on the penance (good deeds) one has performed in previous birth. One’s nature (character) shall be (as per) based on the lineage (family). “Nallaarai kaanpathuvum nanrey; nalamikka nalaar sol ketpathuvum nanrey – nallar gunangal uraipathuvum nanrey; avarodu inangi irupathuvum nanru” It is good to see good natured (people of good character) people. It is good to hear their words. It is good to speak of their good deeds. It is still better to move and live closely with good people. thIyArai kaNbadhuvum thidhE thiruvuttra thIyAr sol kEtpadhuvum thIdhE – thIyAr guNangaL uraippadhuvum thIdhE; avarOdu iNangi iruppadhuvum thIdhu To see or look at bad/wicked people itself is bad. To hear/listen to their useless words is also bad. To speak/discuss about their character is worse. To move around with them is still worse. ெநல்லுக் கிைறத்தநீர் வாய்க்கால் வழிோயாடிப் புல்லுக்கும் ஆங்ோக ெபாசியுமாம் - ெதால் உலகில் நல்லார் ஒருவர் உளோரல் அவர்ெபாருட்டு எல்லார்க்கும் ெபய்யும் மைழ. 10 Nelluk-kiraitha nIr vAikkAl vazhi ohdi pullukkum AngE posiyumAm - thollulagil nallAr-oruvar ularEl avar poruttu ellArkkum peyyum mazhai. The water let out for the paddy fields runs in a stream and nourishes also the grass which grows around. Likewise, in this long-standing world if there is a good man, it rains for his sake but for the benefit of all. The nourishment of the water stream fed to the crops is passed on even to the unproductive vegetation around. Similarly, when it rains for the sake of a good man, the gains are enjoyed by others (good and the bad). பண்டு முைளப்பது அரிசிோய ஆனாலும் விண்டு உமிோபானால் முைளயாதாம் - ெகாண்டோபர் ஆற்றல் உைடயார்க்(கு) ஆகாது அளவு இன்றி ஏற்ற கருமம் ெசயல். 11 paNdu muLaippadhu arisiyE AnAlum viNdu umi pOnAl muLaiyAdhAm – koNdapEr Attral udaiyarkku AgAdhu aLavu indri Ettra karumam seyal 11 Though it is the rice which is formed before the husk, the rice shall not sprout if the husk is fallen off. Likewise, though one might be greatly talented (skilled), he shall not be able to complete any undertaken task without some help. Any undertaking (action) of men will have some components or steps for accomplishment. These have to be recognized. In everyday life, this could be equated to team work while we perform various tasks in our work environment or otherwise. மடல் ெபரிது தாைழ (;) மகிழ் இனிது கந்தம் உடல்சிறியர் என்று இருக்க ோவண்டா - கடல்ெபரிது மண்ணீரும் ஆகா(து) அதனருோக சிற்றூூறல் உண்ணீரும் ஆகி விடும். 12 madal peridhu thAzhai, makizh inidhu kandham udal-siriyar endru irukka vENdA -- kadal-peridhu maNNIrum AgAdhu adhanarugE sittrooral uNNIrum Agi vidum." 12 Compared to a flower with big petals (thAzhampoo), the flower with small petals (magizhampoo) has a better sweet smell. Though the ocean is immense, the waters of the oceans are no good for cleansing (bathing) but the springs nearby though being small, contain good palatable water. One should not judge people by their size and looks. Though people could be small in stature, they might be noble in character. Though people might be simple in attire and attitude they could be polished in nature. kavaiyagi kombagi kAttagaththE nirkum avaiyalla nalla marangaL – avainaduvE nIttOlai vAsiyA ninDrAn kurippariya mAttAdhavan nanmaram - 13 Trees with branches and twigs that grow in the forest are not the real trees. That person who stands in front of an audience (sabha) unable to read the given script (palm leaf used for writing in olden days) is truly a tree. gAn mayilAda kaNdirundha vAnkOzhi thAnum aduvAga bAviththu – thAnum than pollA siragai viriththu AdinAl pOlumE KallAdhAn kattra kalvi - 14 Watching the peacock dancing with the plume in the forest, the turkey also danced, imitating the peacock. This can be compared to the poetic speech of the illiterate. Many portray an image of a scholar by quoting phrases learnt from here and there. Their knowledge and understanding will be shallow. But they try to portray an image of a learned man. But one can never equate the knowledge of the real learned man. vEngai varippulinOy thIrththa vidakAri Angadhanukku AgAram AnAlpOl – pAngariyap pullari vALarku saidha upagAram kallinmEl itta kalam - 15 A vaid (medicine man) cured the striped tiger of its fever but he became the food for the tiger. Likewise, help extended to the mean/cheap-minded will be equivalent to putting a mud pot (forcefully) on a boulder. adakkam udaiyAr arivilar endreNNi kadakka karudhavum vEndA – madaithalaiyil OdumIn Oda urumIn varumaLavum vAdi irukkumAm kokku 16 A crane waits patiently in the stream of water (from the fountain head) for the big fish while letting all the small fish swim by. Likewise, one should not try to cross the path of the patient, humble people misreading them as fools (for they would let all go but wait for the right enemy and attack them). attra kuLaththil arunIr paravaipOl uttruzhiththIrvar uravallar – akkuLaththil kottiyum Ambalum naidhalum pOlavE otti uruvAr uravu 17 A water-bird leaves a pond if it dries up. Likewise, relatives leave in times of poverty and they are not true relatives. True relatives are those who stay without leaving even in bad times similar to the flowers (kotti, lilies, neithal) that stay in the pond even when it dries up. sIriyar kettAlum SIriyarE SIriyar mattru allAthAr kettAl angennAgum? - SIriya ponnin kudam udainthal ponnAgum ennAgum maNNin kudam udaintakkAl 18 If a golden pot cracks, it still benefits one as old gold. But if an earthen pot breaks, it is destroyed and is of no use. Likewise, when good people (of noble character and conduct) fall in bad times (lose wealth and face poverty) they still uphold their good character and shall be considered noble. Whereas, when people of mean character fall in bad times what becomes of their character? (the mean, ill qualities do not change). Azha amukki mugakkinum AzhkadalnIr nAzhi mugavAdhu nAlnAzhi – thOzhi nidhiyum kaNavanum nErpadinum thaththam vithiyin payanE payan - 19 If one submerges a pitcher in the deep waters of the sea, the pitcher can accommodate its measure only and not four times its volume. Likewise, even if a woman begets wealth and a good husband, she can experience (enjoy) only as much, which is the result of her fate (karmA of earlier birth). udanpiranthAr suttrathAr endrirukka vENdA udanpiranthE kollum vyathi - udan piravA mAmalaiyil uLLa marunthE piNithIrkkum ammarunthu pOlvArum uNdu Disease, which is inherent in the body since birth, stays and kills the body. The medicine for cure can be found only in the big mountain (which is not born with anybody/which has no birth and death). Likewise, one may not consider that those they are born with (brothers, sisters) are near and dear (one may not think that they will only do good). There are others (who are not blood relatives like brothers and sisters) who could be of good help. iLLAL agaththirukka illAthathu ondrillai illALum illALE AmAyin – illAL valikidantha mAttram uraikku mEl avvil pulikidantha thUrAy vidum 21 A house which has a (good natured) wife, lacks nothing. But if the house has no woman (a good wife) or if she speaks harsh words (ill-tempered), then the house is similar to the shrubs and bushes where a tiger resides. ezhuthiyavArE kANa irangu madanenjE karuthiyavArAmE karumam – karudhippOy karpagaththai chErndhArkku kAnjirangAy InthathEl murpavaththil saidha vinai 22 O foolish, despondent heart! One approaches the karpaga tree (kalpataru, karpaga vriksham: a tree which fulfils one’s wishes) to beget some good. But if the tree gives a bitter, raw fruit, it is because of the actions of the previous birth. So be it understood that fruits of one’s actions are in accordance with what destiny has written. karpiLavOdu oppar kayavar kadunchinaththu porpiLavOdu oppArum pOlvArE – virpidiththu nIrkizhiya aidha vaduppOla mArumE cIr ozhugu chandrOr sinam 23 The wicked (low character) people do not unite (when a difference sets in) due to anger and this may be compared to a split stone. Though divided, there are people who unite, similar to the split gold fusing back. But the anger of the people of high character is likened to that of an arrow sent from a bow into water, wherein the division is repaired immediately. nattramarai kayaththil nal annam sErdhArpOl kattrArai kattrArE kAmuruvar - karpilA mUrkkarai mUrkkarE mugappar mudhukAttil kAkkai ugakkum piNam 24 In a pond, the swan is close to the lotus. Likewise, good-natured, learned people prefer the company of the learned. In the back-forests, the dead bodies are sought after by the crows. Likewise, fools prefer fools. One’s character decides one’s associations. Tell me who your friends are, I will tell you who you are - This English proverb summarises this. Satsang or good company is begotten in accordance with one’s character formed by the guna. nanjudaimai thAnarindhu nAgam karandhuraiyum anjap purangidakkum nIrppAmbu – nenjil karavudaiyAr thammai karappar karavAr karavilA nenjaththavar 25 The cobra, aware of the poison in its possession, hides itself and lives. The water snake lives openly with no fear. Likewise, people with wickedness in their heart, hide themselves away, whereas people with no cunningness in heart do not hide themselves. mannanum mAsara kattrOnum sIrthUkkin mannanil kattrOn sirappudaiyan – mannarkku thandEsam allAl sirappillai kattrOrku chendra idam ellAm sirappu 26 If we compare the king and a well-learned man, the learned man will have better standing. While the king commands respect and fame in his own land, the learned are respected wherever they go. kallAdha mAndarkku kattruNarnthAr solkUttram allAtha mAndarkku aramkUttram – melliya vAzhaikku thAnIndra kAykUttram kUttramE illirku isainthu ozhugAppeN 27 For those without learning, the words of the learned are like the death knell, for the unrighteous, righteousness (dharma) is death and for the slender plantain tree, its own yield of plantains brings its end. Likewise, a woman whose behaviour is not in line with married life will cause the downfall of her husband. This poem is identified by commentators as one describing the various downfalls that man faces in life. Each of the statement is unique and needs a thought. chandana menkuradu thAnthEntha kAlaththum kandham kuraipadA AthalAl – thamtham danamsiriyar Ayinum thArvEndhar kEttAl manam siriyar avarO mattru 28 The soft sandalwood piece, though worn by rubbing, will not diminish in its good fragrance. Similarly, kings whose wealth is reduced will not become disheartened or mean-minded. maruviniya suttramum vAnporuLum nalla uruvum uyarkulamum ellAm - thirumadanthai AgumpOdhu avalOdum Agum; avaLpirinthu pOmpOthu avaLodum pOm 29 Dependent (and dependable) sweet relations (friends and relatives), sky-high wealth, good looks and high birth… all these remain as long as Goddess Lakshmi stays. When she leaves, all these also go with her. chAndhanaiyum thIyanavE saithidinum thAmavarai Anthanaiyum kAppar arivudaiyOr mAnthar – kuraikkum thanaiyum kuLirnizhalai thanthu maraikkumAm kaNdIr maram 30 The trees though cut and shortened by men, will provide cool shade for men. Likewise, the scholarly people will protect even those who might mortally harm them, as much as they are able to. The essence of this poem is that noble, learned men do good even to those who try to harm them. This might sound quite old-styled in the present-day thinking. But similar idea is reflected by Tirukkural also with “innA seithArai” where Tiruvalluvar says that if one does harm to you, then you make him feel ashamed by doing good unto him.