Thomas Hitoshi Pruiksma

author, poet, teacher, and performer

Tirukkural Verses, Interviews, and Reviews

From and about The Kural: Tiruvalluvar's Tirukkural.

Learn More About the Book

Purchase

Kural 672: Tiruvalluvar on Action, Timing, and Delay

A verse on when—and when not—to take action.

672
Delay what is meant for delay—delay nothing
Not meant for delay

தூங்குக தூங்கிச் செயற்பால தூங்கற்க
தூங்காது செய்யும் வினை

From chapter 68, “Ways of Action.”

Translated from the Tamil by Thomas Hitoshi Pruiksma
THE KURAL: Tiruvalluvar’s Tirukkural
Beacon Press, Boston

Openness to All People: A Kural Conversation with Debra Graugnard

Kindness, Spirit, and True Nourishment

With master healer and spiritual teacher Debra Mastura Graugnard I was delighted to explore kurals 991, 992, and 1000 from chapter 100 of THE KURAL, “Having Kindness.”

Here are a few highlights and where in the video you can find them:

  • Openness to all people and the root meanings of kindness in both Tamil and English: 6:27
  • Protection, the breath of spirit, and how kindness meets kindness: 12:36
  • What does “birth in good family” really mean? 24:16
  • True riches and true nourishment: 34:16
  • A question from Debra: How has translating this book changed your life? 42:54

As the founder of Joyfully Living Wellness, Debra Graugnard has made it her lifelong mission to help others free themselves from self-defeating beliefs and behaviors.

Purpose-driven and extensively trained in spiritual and energetic healing, natural and holistic self-care, Debra gently and compassionately guides her clients, primarily women, on a journey to profoundly and intimately know themselves – body, mind, heart, and spirit.

“To truly heal, you must align your habits, beliefs and emotional patterns with your inner knowing, your divine spirit and your connection with All That Is.” – Debra Graugnard

Debra Mastura Graugnard

Learn more about Debra on her website:
https://joyfullylivingwellness.com/

Here are the verses we talked about, in both English and Tamil:

991
From openness to all people the practice
Of kindness comes easily

எண்பதத்தால் எய்தல் எளிதென்ப யார்மாட்டும்
பண்புடைமை என்னும் வழக்கு

992
Love in one’s heart and birth in good family together
Are the way of kindness

அன்புடைமை ஆன்ற குடிப்பிறத்த லிவ்விரண்டும்
பண்புடைமை என்னும் வழக்கு

1000

Riches attained by those without kindness—like milk
Soured by its jug

பண்பிலான் பெற்ற பெருஞ்செல்வம் நன்பால்
கலந்தீமை யால்திரிந் தற்று

From chapter 100, “Having Kindness.”

Translated from the Tamil by Thomas Hitoshi Pruiksma
THE KURAL: Tiruvalluvar’s Tirukkural
Beacon Press, Boston

Kural 1005: Tiruvalluvar on Money

A verse on the two uses of wealth.

1005
Those who won’t give and enjoy—even with billions
They have nothing

கொடுப்பதூஉம் துய்ப்பதூஉம் இல்லார்க் கடுக்கிய
கோடியுண் டாயினும் இல்

From chapter 101, “Fruitless Wealth.”

Translated from the Tamil by Thomas Hitoshi Pruiksma
THE KURAL: Tiruvalluvar’s Tirukkural
Beacon Press, Boston

Kural 83: Tiruvalluvar on Hospitality and Safety

A verse on strangers and the paradoxical gift of openness.

83
The life that cherishes strangers each day
Never falls upon ruin

வருவிருந்து வைகலும் ஓம்புவான் வாழ்க்கை
பருவந்து பாழ்படுதல் இன்று

From chapter 9, “Hospitality.”

Translated from the Tamil by Thomas Hitoshi Pruiksma
THE KURAL: Tiruvalluvar’s Tirukkural
Beacon Press, Boston