Month: August 2020

Convincing new friends…

Read the previous part here… And having thought this, LaghuPatanaka climbed down from the tree and stood near the entrance of the fortress where Hiranyaka lived. He imitated ChitraGreeva and called out “Hiranyaka, come out, come out fast!” Hearing this, Hiranyaka thought to himself “Is there any other pigeon that was not freed the first …

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Making new friends…

Read the previous part here… “And this is why, as a consequence of my greed, we all got caught in this web. I need your help. Please free us!” Hearing him speak, Hiranyaka said… अर्धार्धाद् योजन-शताद् आमिषं वीक्षते खगः ।सो ऽपि पार्श्व-स्थितं दैवाद् बन्धनं न च पश्यति ॥ २० ॥ ardhārdhād yojana-śatād āmiṣaṃ vīkṣate khagaḥ |so …

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Meeting old friends…

Read the previous part here… The Sun is red at the time of rising, and red at the time of setting too. Likewise, great men remain alike in both good times and bad times. And so, here is what we will do… Let us all rise up in the sky together, along with net which …

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The pigeons and the hunter…

असाधना अपि प्राज्ञा बुद्धिमनोत् बहु-श्रुताः ।साधयन्त्य् आशु कार्याणि काकाखु-मृग-कूर्मवत् ॥ १ ॥ asādhanā api prājñā buddhimanot bahu-śrutāḥ |sādhayanty āśu kāryāṇi kākākhu-mṛga-kūrmavat || 1 || The wise and the intelligent can accomplish their goals even in the absence of guidance, much like the crow, the mouse the deer and the tortoise who got together and were able to …

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Tirukkural – on giving

கைம்மாறு வேண்டா கடப்பாடு மாரிமாட்டுஎன்ஆற்றுங் கொல்லோ உலகு.   Kaimmaaru Ventaa Katappaatu MaarimaattuEnAatrung Kollo Ulaku (211) The benevolent expect no return for their dutiful giving. How can the world ever repay the rain clouds? मेघानं वर्षतां नित्यं कि साह्यं कुर्वते जना:।मेघतुल्या महान्तोऽपि निष्काममुपकुर्वते॥ (२११) उपकारी नहिं चाहते, पाना प्रत्युपकार ।बादल को बदला भला, क्या देता संसार ॥ (२११) …

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Tirukkural – on not coveting

வேண்டற்க வெஃகியாம் ஆக்கம் விளைவயின்மாண்டற் கரிதாம் பயன்.  Ventarka Veqkiyaam Aakkam VilaivayinMaantar Karidhaam Payan (177) Do not seek the fortune that greed gathers, for its fruit is bitter on the day of enjoyment. परद्रव्यापहारेण लब्धं वस्तु परित्यजेत् ।फलप्रदानवेलायां न तच्छ्रेय: प्रदास्यति ॥ (१७७) चाहो मत संपत्ति को, लालच से उत्पन्न ।उसका फल होता नहीं कभी सुगुण-संपन्न ॥ …

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Tirukkural – on jealousy

விழுப்பேற்றின் அஃதொப்பது இல்லையார் மாட்டும்அழுக்காற்றின் அன்மை பெறின்.  Vizhuppetrin Aqdhoppadhu Illaiyaar MaattumAzhukkaatrin Anmai Perin (162) No blessing is so great as a nature that is free from all envy. असूया यस्य न भवेत् सर्वदा सर्वजन्तुषु ।स एव भग्यवान् लोके सर्वभाग्येषु तद्वरम् ॥ (१६२) सबसे ऐसा भाव हो, जो है ईर्ष्या- मुक्त ।तो उसके सम है नहीं, भाग्य …

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Tirukkural – on patience and forbearance

அகழ்வாரைத் தாங்கும் நிலம்போலத் தம்மைஇகழ்வார்ப் பொறுத்தல் தலை.  Akazhvaaraith Thaangum Nilampolath ThammaiIkazhvaarp Poruththal Thalai (151) To bear with those who revile us, just as the earth bears up those who dig it, is the greatest of virtues. धारणात् खनकस्यापि धरण्या इव नि:समा ।स्वापराधिषु या क्षान्ति: स धर्म: परमो नृणाम् ॥ (१५१) क्षमा क्षमा कर ज्यों धरे, जो …

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Tirukkural – on good conduct

மறப்பினும் ஓத்துக் கொளலாகும் பார்ப்பான்பிறப்பொழுக்கங் குன்றக் கெடும்.  Marappinum Oththuk Kolalaakum PaarppaanPirappozhukkang Kundrak Ketum (134) If a learned man forgets the scriptures, he can relearn them. But if he forgets right conduct, there is no redemption. अधीतविस्मृतं वेदं प्राप्नोति पठनात् पुन: ।विप्रो नषकुलाचार: पुनर्नाप्नोति विप्रताम् ॥ (१३४) संभव है फिर अध्ययन, भूल गया यदि वेद ।आचारच्युत विप्र के, होगा …

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Tirukkural – on self-restraint

செறிவறிந்து சீர்மை பயக்கும் அறிவறிந்துஆற்றின் அடங்கப் பெறின்.  Serivarindhu Seermai Payakkum ArivarindhuAatrin Atangap Perin (123) If one exercises self-restraint with knowledge and intent, he will be counted among the wise. ज्ञातव्यं तत्वतो ज्ञात्वा संयमी यो भवेन्नर: ।महात्मनां गुणाज्ञानां कृपया स सुखी वसेत् ॥ (१२३) कोई संयमशील हो, अगर जानकर तत्व ।संयम पा कर मान्यता, देगा उसे महत्व …

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