The last kural of the Tirukkural, on turning back to love.
From chapter 133, “Sulking and Bliss.”
Translated from the Tamil by Thomas Hitoshi Pruiksma
THE KURAL: Tiruvalluvar’s Tirukkural
Beacon Press, Boston
author, poet, teacher, and performer
The last kural of the Tirukkural, on turning back to love.
1330
Sulking in love is joy—and joining
Again—joy of joys
ஊடுதல் காமத்திற் கின்பம் அதற்கின்பம்
கூடி முயங்கப் பெறின்
From chapter 133, “Sulking and Bliss.”
Translated from the Tamil by Thomas Hitoshi Pruiksma
THE KURAL: Tiruvalluvar’s Tirukkural
Beacon Press, Boston
A verse on enemies, kindness, and friends.
874
Those whose kindness turns enmity to friendship—the world
Lives by their light
பகைநட்பாக் கொண்டொழுகும் பண்புடை யாளன்
தகைமைக்கண் தங்கிற் றுலகு
From chapter 88, “Knowing an Enemy.”
Translated from the Tamil by Thomas Hitoshi Pruiksma
THE KURAL: Tiruvalluvar’s Tirukkural
Beacon Press, Boston
A verse on the sea of love and the agony of separation.
1164
Right here the sea of love and no vessel
To cross it safely
காமக் கடல்மன்னும் உண்டே அதுநீந்தும்
ஏமப் புணைமன்னும் இல்
From chapter 117, “Pining Away.”
Translated from the Tamil by Thomas Hitoshi Pruiksma
THE KURAL: Tiruvalluvar’s Tirukkural
Beacon Press, Boston
A verse on having love and what love befriends.
76
It serves only virtue say those who don’t know—but love
Is friend to wrong too
அறத்திற்கே அன்புசார் பென்ப அறியார்
மறத்திற்கும் அஃதே துணை
From chapter 8, “Having Love.”
Translated from the Tamil by Thomas Hitoshi Pruiksma
THE KURAL: Tiruvalluvar’s Tirukkural
Beacon Press, Boston
A verse on the interconnections between nature, company, and knowledge.
452
The nature of earth alters water—the nature
Of company alters what we know
நிலத்தியல்பால் நீர்திரிந் தற்றாகும் மாந்தர்க்
கினத்தியல்ப தாகும் அறிவு
From chapter 46, “Freedom from Smallness.”
Translated from the Tamil by Thomas Hitoshi Pruiksma
THE KURAL: Tiruvalluvar’s Tirukkural
Beacon Press, Boston
A verse on the anguish of separation.
1157
Do these bangles that slip from my wrists not say
This captain is sailing
துறைவன் துறந்தமை தூற்றாகொல் முன்கை
இறைஇறவா நின்ற வளை
From chapter 116, “Unbearable Absence.”
Translated from the Tamil by Thomas Hitoshi Pruiksma
THE KURAL: Tiruvalluvar’s Tirukkural
Beacon Press, Boston
Mediacrop Tamil News in Singapore came to film the premiere of my new show, Riches of the Ear: A Celebration of Words and Wonder at the Singapore Writers Festival on Sunday, November 20, 2022. Here’s what they ran on the news later that evening.
Click on the picture below or visit https://seithi.mediacorp.sg/watch/tairaukakauralaai-maolaipaeyaratata-japapaanaiyara-629286.
A verse on true leadership and good governance.
671
Resolve is the end of debate—bad
To let resolve languish
சூழ்ச்சி முடிவு துணிவெய்தல் அத்துணிவு
தாழ்ச்சியுள் தங்குதல் தீது
From chapter 68, “Ways of Action.”
Translated from the Tamil by Thomas Hitoshi Pruiksma
THE KURAL: Tiruvalluvar’s Tirukkural
Beacon Press, Boston