Thirukkural - 1 - Manathukkan Maasilan

TAMIL TEXT
34. மனத்துக்கண் மாசிலன் ஆதல் அனைத்தறன்
   ஆகுல நீர பிற.

TRANSILERATION
34.  manaththukkaN maasilan aadhal anaiththaRan
      aakula neera piRa.  

TAMIL MEANING

   மனத்தூய்மையே அறம். மற்றவை பொருட்டல்ல

ENGLISH MEANING
To be pure at heart is virtue.  Rest is not relevant.


Thirukkural has been proclaimed by the scholars that the philosophy professed in the book holds good independent of time, country, culture or religion.    Hence it is revered as " Ulagap pothumarai" ( "Bible of Universe" ).   This couplet stands a good example of this virtue.

I have chosen this one ahead of traditional "The Praise of God" for in my view,  being in peace with self is of the utmost importance and pre-requisite for the pursuit of any other virtue.   

An incomplete story...... A longing feeling....

I was reading story written by Bharathiyar. "Chandrigaiyin Kathai". I knew Bharathiyar only as poet - not as a story writer. His writing is a pure joy to read.

But you may not try this one... The story is only half. He died before completing the story... I ended up with a longing feeling.   

Regardless, the subject he has taken for that "time", subtle twists he brings, bringing in philosophical discussions - not a bookish / intellectual stuff, but much linked to practical life scenarios and radical - vow... The stroy had not yet reached the life of "chandrikai".. still at the stage of her mother... 9 big chapters are over..

Looks like it is enough only to read Bharathi - and all our "soft needs" of life (knowledge, poetic, politic, religion, spirituality, science, art , love, entertainment and on and on... ) would be fulfilled...

If the people have to instill respect for women in the society - Bharatiyar literature should be propagated , far and wide... to every nook and corner... I bet, the "male" community would be afraid to do that. From what I have read, Gandhi was confined to his time w.r.t. women liberation. Bharathi is truly beyond time.