A verse on the two uses of wealth.
From chapter 101, “Fruitless Wealth.”
Translated from the Tamil by Thomas Hitoshi Pruiksma
THE KURAL: Tiruvalluvar’s Tirukkural
Beacon Press, Boston
author, poet, teacher, and performer
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
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
Raag Delhi, an online magazine on politics, culture, and society, recently shared five chapters from my new translation of THE KURAL: Tiruvalluvar’s Tirukkural: “Ministers,” “Farming,” “Forbearance,” “Giving,” and “Unworthy Conduct.”
You can read the excerpts on their website:
https://www.raagdelhi.com/some-excerpts-from-thiruvalluvar-translation-by-thomas-pruiksma/
With my longtime friend Ellen Kittredge I was delighted to explore the insight that food is medicine and that moderation can lead to greater fulfillment and joy.
Here are a few highlights and where in the video you can find them:
Ellen Kittredge is a Nutritional Counselor, Minister of Walking Prayer, and practitioner of earth-based healing modalities. While her primary focus is supporting her clients with maintaining optimal health through sound nutritional guidance, she has also has trained in a variety of other healing techniques, including extensive study over the last 10 years in earth-based healing practices with Nature Priests/Mystics in the High Andes of Peru.
Learn more about Ellen on her website:
https://ellenkittredge.com/
Here are the verses we talked about, in both English and Tamil:
945
If one eats with measure what does not disagree
Nothing threatens one’s life
மாறுபா டில்லாத உண்டி மறுத்துண்ணின்
ஊறுபா டில்லை உயிர்க்கு
946
Those who eat knowing moderation know joy—as those
Who devour know disease
இழிவறிந் துண்பான்கண் இன்பம்போல் நிற்கும்
கழிபேர் இரையான்கண் நோய்
947
Those who devour beyond their fire’s limit
Know disease beyond limit
தீயள வன்றித் தெரியான் பெரிதுண்ணின்
நோயள வின்றிப் படும்
From chapter 95, “Medicine.”
Translated from the Tamil by Thomas Hitoshi Pruiksma
THE KURAL: Tiruvalluvar’s Tirukkural
Beacon Press, Boston
A verse on the four qualities that make a true leader.
382
Generosity fearlessness knowledge energy—the nature of a king
Is these four in fullness
அஞ்சாமை ஈகை அறிவூக்கம் இந்நான்கும்
எஞ்சாமை வேந்தர்க் கியல்பு
From chapter 39, “The Splendor of Kings.”
Translated from the Tamil by Thomas Hitoshi Pruiksma
THE KURAL: Tiruvalluvar’s Tirukkural
Beacon Press, Boston
With the wonderful Fiona Moore I was delighted to explore kurals 621 and 622 from chapter 63 of THE KURAL, “Not Being Defeated by Adversity.”
Here are a few highlights and where in the video you can find them:
Fiona Moore is a coach, mentor, and consultant with an extraordinary capacity to help people uncover the truth of who they really are beyond their ideas, thoughts, beliefs, and fears.
“Simply by being the Love you are,” she writes, “you transform your world, and the whole world, for good.”
Here are the two verses we talked about, in both English and Tamil:
621
Smile at adversity—nothing
Triumphs more fully
இடுக்கண் வருங்கால் நகுக அதனை
அடுத்தூர்வ தஃதொப்ப தில்
622
When the wise look within—the flood
Of adversity vanishes
வெள்ளத் தனைய இடும்பை அறிவுடையான்
உள்ளத்தின் உள்ளக் கெடும்
From chapter 63, “Not Being Defeated by Adversity.”
Translated from the Tamil by Thomas Hitoshi Pruiksma
THE KURAL: Tiruvalluvar’s Tirukkural
Beacon Press, Boston
A verse on the connection between learning and life.
391
Faultlessly study what is to be studied—then fit
All that you’ve studied
கற்க கசடறக் கற்பவை கற்றபின்
நிற்க அதற்குத் தக
From chapter 40, “Learning.”
Translated from the Tamil by Thomas Hitoshi Pruiksma
THE KURAL: Tiruvalluvar’s Tirukkural
Beacon Press, Boston
A verse on giving nourishment to the ear.
412
When the ear lacks food feed a little
To the belly
செவிக்குண வில்லாத போழ்து சிறிது
வயிற்றுக்கும் ஈயப் படும்
From chapter 42, “Listening.”
Translated from the Tamil by Thomas Hitoshi Pruiksma
THE KURAL: Tiruvalluvar’s Tirukkural
Beacon Press, Boston