• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Thomas Hitoshi Pruiksma

author, poet, teacher, and performer

  • About
  • Books
    • THE KURAL: Tiruvalluvar’s Tirukkural
    • The Safety of Edges
    • Give, Eat, and Live: Poems of Avvaiyar
    • Body and Earth
    • A Feast for the Tongue
    • Juan Rulfo’s Pedro Páramo
    • Other Writings
  • Speaking & Teaching
    • Taller Than a Mountain
    • Performances
    • Cozy Grammar
    • Events
  • Work With Me
  • News
  • Contact
    • Newsletter
    • Interview Requests
    • Speaker Requests
    • Media Kit
    • Contact
  • Log In
  •  

Tirukkural Videos

Poems from The Kural: Tiruvalluvar's Tirukkural.

Learn More About the Book

I'd Like a Copy!

Kural 620: Tiruvalluvar on Effort that Defeats Fate

March 22, 2022

A verse on hard work, discipline, and the rewards of motivation.

620
Those who strive without ceasing or despair
See the defeat of fate

ஊழையும் உப்பக்கம் காண்பர் உலைவின்றித்
தாழா துஞற்று பவர்

From chapter 62, “Mastery of Action.”

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

More about the book
I’d like a copy!

Kural 36: Tiruvalluvar on Ethics and Undying Deeds

March 15, 2022

A verse on the imperative of right action, with a connection to the five remembrances of Buddhism.

36
Do right without waiting—at death it remains
Beside one undying

அன்றறிவாம் என்னா தறஞ்செய்க மற்றது
பொன்றுங்கால் பொன்றாத் துணை

From chapter 4, “The Imperative of Right Action.”

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

More about the book
I’d like a copy!

Kural 211: Tiruvalluvar on Kindness and Rain

March 8, 2022

A verse on generosity and giving without expectation.

211
Kindness seeks no return—what does the earth
Return to the rain

கைம்மாறு வேண்டா கடப்பாடு மாரிமாட்
டென்னாற்றுங் கொல்லோ உலகு

From chapter 22, “Knowing What Is Fitting.”

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

More about the book
I’d like a copy!

Kural 71: The Tirukkural on Love

March 1, 2022

A verse on the gift of tears.

71
Is there a latch for love—the fullness of one’s heart
Shows in the tears that well

அன்பிற்கும் உண்டோ அடைக்குந்தாழ் ஆர்வலர்
புன்கணீர் பூசல் தரும்

From chapter 8, “Having Love.”

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

More about the book
I’d like a copy!

Kural 991: Ideas and Ideals of Kindness

February 22, 2022

A verse on openness to strangers and the practice of kindness.

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

எண்பதத்தால் எய்தல் எளிதென்ப யார்மாட்டும்
பண்புடைமை என்னும் வழக்கு

From chapter 100, “Having Kindness.”

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

More about the book
I’d like a copy!

  • « Go to Previous Page
  • Page 1
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Page 8
  • Page 9
  • Page 10
  • Page 11
  • Page 12
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Page 14
  • Go to Next Page »

Primary Sidebar

Search for Topics

Sign up to receive notices about new releases, courses, and other special events.

I'll also send a link to my recent free webinar, Not Being Defeated by Adversity.

Please click here to sign up.

Search by Category

  • Announcements
  • Avvaiyar
  • Body and Earth
  • Interviews
  • Kural Conversations
  • Kural Videos
  • Talks & Presentations
  • The Kural
  • The Safety of Edges
  • Videos
  • Writings
  • YouTube
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn