Thomas Hitoshi Pruiksma

author, poet, teacher, and performer

Kural 102: The Kural on Helping Others in Need

Help doesn’t have to be big to be big. A verse on helping in time.

102
Even if small help given in time—far
Far larger than the world

காலத்தி னாற்செய்த நன்றி சிறிதெனினும்
ஞாலத்தின் மாணப் பெரிது

From chapter 11, “Gratitude.”

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

Kural 66: The Kural on Family and the Music of Children

A verse on the sweetness of children’s voices.

66
Those who don’t hear the babble of their children
Call the flute and the lyre sweet

குழலினிது யாழினி தென்பதம் மக்கள்
மழலைச்சொல் கேளா தவர்

From chapter 7, “Having Children.”

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

A Heart That Smiles: A Kural Conversation with Gustavo Esteva

Friendship, Politics, and the Inspiration of Poetry

With my friend Gustavo Esteva I explore the nature of real friendship, its relationship to politics in a time of upheaval, and the necessity of poetry as reflected in chapter 79, “Friendship,” of THE KURAL: Tiruvalluvar’s Tirukkural.

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

  • “Friendship is not a face smiling” and the inner smile of real friendship, even in the face of anger or depression: 4:36
  • Friendship as beyond expectations: 14:19
  • The place of friendship in the life of Ivan Illich and in politics: 18:17
  • A question from Gustavo about the meanings of verse 782, “Friendship with wise souls—a moon waxing—fellowship / With fools—a moon waning”: 37:00
  • The great need for the inspiration of poetry in the great desperation of present circumstances: 44:18
  • Where Gustavo’s many writings are being collected and organized to be shared with anyone who wish to read them: 51:00

Gustavo Esteva

Photo Credit: redefineschool.com

Gustavo Esteva
August 20, 1936 – March 17, 2022
Rest in joyful conviviality, queridísimo Gustavo.

Gustavo Esteva can be described as a “deprofessionalized intellectual,” a nomadic storyteller, and the founder of the Universidad de la Tierra (University of the Soil) in the city of Oaxaca in southern Mexico. He is also a columnist for La Jornada and The Guardian. Esteva has been actively engaged in initiatives for reclaiming the commons with indigenous peoples, peasants, and those marginalized in urban life.

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

786
Friendship is not a face smiling—friendship
Is a heart that smiles

முகநக நட்பது நட்பன்று நெஞ்சத்
தகநக நட்பது நட்பு

789
What is the throne of friendship—unwavering
Support in all ways

நட்பிற்கு வீற்றிருக்கை யாதெனின் கொட்பின்றி
ஒல்லும்வாய் ஊன்றும் நிலை

872
Friendship with wise souls—a moon waxing—fellowship
With fools—a moon waning

நிறைநீர நீரவர் கேண்மை பிறைமதிப்
பின்னீர பேதையார் நட்பு

From chapter 79, “Friendship.”

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

Kural 731: The Kural on Environment and Country

A verse on what makes a true country.

731
The union of unfailing yields untarnished wealth and people
Of wisdom—that is a country

தள்ளா விளையுளும் தக்காரும் தாழ்விலாச்
செல்வரும் சேர்வது நாடு

From chapter 74, “Country.”

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

Kural 597: The Kural on Perseverance and Never Giving Up

A verse on endurance and having energy.

597
Even stung by arrows the elephant stands tall—even stung
By failure the sturdy do not slacken

சிதைவிடத் தொல்கார் உரவோர் புதையம்பிற்
பட்டுப்பா டூன்றுங் களிறு

From chapter 60, “Having Energy.”

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

Kural 61: The Kural on Children and Family

A verse on how knowledge is passed from generation to generation.

61
Of all we may have we know nothing higher than having
Children with knowledge

பெறுமவற்றுள் யாமறிவது இல்லை அறிவறிந்த
மக்கட்பேறு அல்ல பிற

From chapter 7, “Having Children.”

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

Kural 82: The Kural on Hospitality and Life

A verse on sharing food with guests and the elixir of immortality.

82
With a guest at the door it is not worth eating
Even the nectar of the gods

விருந்து புறத்ததாத் தானுண்டல் சாவா
மருந்தெனினும் வேண்டற்பாற் றன்று

From chapter 9, “Hospitality.”

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