author, poet, teacher, and performer
Poems from The Kural: Tiruvalluvar's Tirukkural.
A verse on the fundamental importance of farmers for everyone everywhere. With all good wishes to M. Manikandan and his film #kadaisivivasayi.
1032
Farmers sustain everyone not farming—they
Are the pin holding the world together
உழுவார் உலகத்தார்க் காணி அஃ தாற்றா
தெழுவாரை எல்லாம் பொறுத்து
From chapter 104, “Farming.”
Translated from the Tamil by Thomas Hitoshi Pruiksma
THE KURAL: Tiruvalluvar’s Tirukkural
Beacon Press, Boston
A verse on right means, loss, and perseverance in goodness.
659
What comes by tears goes by tears—even in loss
Goodness yields fruit in time
அழக்கொண்ட எல்லாம் அழப்போம் இழப்பினும்
பிற்பயக்கும் நற்பா லவை
From chapter 66, “Purity of Action”
Translated from the Tamil by Thomas Hitoshi Pruiksma
THE KURAL: Tiruvalluvar’s Tirukkural
Beacon Press, Boston
A verse on wealth, impermanence, and what endures.
333
Wealth by nature does not endure—when gained
Do what endures
அற்கா இயல்பிற்றுச் செல்வம் அதுபெற்றால்
அற்குப ஆங்கே செயல்
From chapter 34, “Impermanence.”
Translated from the Tamil by Thomas Hitoshi Pruiksma
THE KURAL: Tiruvalluvar’s Tirukkural
Beacon Press, Boston
A verse on never scorning anyone’s size and what it means to be truly essential.
667
Scorn none by size—there are some like the pin
In a great cart’s wheel
உருவுகண் டெள்ளாமை வேண்டும் உருள்பெருந்தேர்க்
கச்சாணி அன்னார் உடைத்து
From chapter 67, “Firmness of Action.”
Translated from the Tamil by Thomas Hitoshi Pruiksma
THE KURAL: Tiruvalluvar’s Tirukkural
Beacon Press, Boston
A verse on how humbleness leads to greatness and how largeness of heart grows from humility.
978
Smallness adores and adorns itself—greatness
Is always humble
பணியுமாம் என்றும் பெருமை சிறுமை
அணியுமாம் தன்னை வியந்து
From chapter 98, “Greatness.”
Translated from the Tamil by Thomas Hitoshi Pruiksma
THE KURAL: Tiruvalluvar’s Tirukkural
Beacon Press, Boston