A verse on the connection between learning and life.
From chapter 40, “Learning.”
Translated from the Tamil by Thomas Hitoshi Pruiksma
THE KURAL: Tiruvalluvar’s Tirukkural
Beacon Press, Boston
Kural 412 from THE KURAL: Tiruvalluvar’s Tirukkural
A verse on giving nourishment to the ear.
From chapter 42, “Listening.”
Translated from the Tamil by Thomas Hitoshi Pruiksma
THE KURAL: Tiruvalluvar’s Tirukkural
Beacon Press, Boston
“Give, Eat, and Live” from Avvaiyar’s Nalvazhi | ஆண்டாண்டு தோறும் அழுது புரண்டாலும்
A poem about death—and life—from the 12th century Tamil woman, poet, and saint Avvaiyar.
Nalvazhi 10, “Andandu thorum purandalum.”
Translated from the Tamil by Thomas Hitoshi Pruiksma
GIVE, EAT, AND LIFE: POEMS OF AVVAIYAR
Red Hen Press, Los Angeles
Kural 81 from THE KURAL: Tiruvalluvar’s Tirukkural
A verse about what it means to have a home.
From chapter 9, “Hospitality.”
Translated from the Tamil by Thomas Hitoshi Pruiksma
THE KURAL: Tiruvalluvar’s Tirukkural
Beacon Press, Boston
“Stop” from The Safety of Edges
A poem about stopping to see where we really are.
“Stop,” by Thomas Hitoshi Pruiksma
THE SAFETY OF EDGES
Marrowstone Press, Seattle
“Authority” from The Safety of Edges
A poem about trusting our senses.
“Authority,” by Thomas Hitoshi Pruiksma
THE SAFETY OF EDGES
Marrowstone Press, Seattle
“What We Know: A Handful of Dirt” from Avvaiyar’s Thani Padal | கற்றது கைம்மண்ணளவு
Here’s a poem about knowledge, humility, and always continuing to learn, from the 12th century Tamil woman, poet, and saint Avvaiyar.
“Katrathu kaiman alavu.”
Translated from the Tamil by Thomas Hitoshi Pruiksma
GIVE, EAT, AND LIFE: POEMS OF AVVAIYAR
Red Hen Press, Los Angeles
“Forget no bond with the blameless”
The Chakkar, an Indian Arts Review, recently published four excerpts from my new translation of The Kural, Tiruvalluvar’s Tirukkural.
You can read the chapters “Reading Faces,” “Gratitude,” “Hospitality,” and “Friendship” on their website.