premalatha balan Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> II. Porutpaal
>
> II.1 Arasiyal
>
> Athikaaram 53. Sutrtranth thazhaal ("zha" is
> pronounced as "la")
>
> Kural 521
>
> Patrtratra kannum pazhamaiyaa raatuthal
> Sutrtraththaar kannae yula.
>
>
>
> English translation:
>
> II. WEALTH
>
> II.1 Politics and social life
>
> Chapter. 53 Cherishing one's kindred
>
> Kural 521.
>
> When wealth is fled, old kindness still to show,
> Is kindly grace that only kinsmen know.
> Even when (a man's) property is all gone,
> relatives will act towards him with their
> accustomed (kindness).

Wealth comes and goes but family is forever!


>
> Other kurals in this chapter:
>
> Kural - 523
> His joy of life who mingles not with kinsmen
> gathered round,
> Is lake where streams pour in, with no encircling
> bound.
> The wealth of one who does not mingle freely with
> his relatives, will be like the filling of water
> in a spacious tank that has no banks.

He who shuns his family and friends will not be filled with true happiness but only have fleeting/temporary contentment.


> Kural - 524
> The profit gained by wealth's increase,
> Is living compassed round by relatives in peace.
> To live surrounded by relatives, is the advantage
> to be derived from the acquisition of wealth.

To be able to help, and actually help, family to become happy and sufficient in life is the true value of wealth!

> Kural - 525
> Who knows the use of pleasant words, and liberal
> gifts can give,
> Connections, heaps of them, surrounding him shall
> live.
> He will be surrounded by numerous relatives who
> manifests generosity and affability.

The wise person who knows how to speak kindly and to be a benevolent benefactor gains their neighbor's loyalty and will be in good favor!


> Kural - 526
> Than one who gifts bestows and wrath restrains,
> Through the wide world none larger following
> gains.
> No one, in all the world, will have so many
> relatives (about him), as he who makes large gift,
> and does not give way to anger.

The leader/king who knows how to be generous to those deserving, has control of his anger, and knows patience will have no equal in the world.


> Kural - 527
> The crows conceal not, call their friends to come,
> then eat;
> Increase of good such worthy ones shall meet.
> The crows do not conceal (their prey), but will
> call out for others (to share with them) while
> they eat it; wealth will be with those who show a
> similar disposition (towards their relatives).

Those that share their wealth with others in order to help them will be rewarded with a return in wealth larger than the initial amount in acknowledgement of their generosity! Here the wealth isn't necessarily monetary!


> Kural - 528
> Where king regards not all alike, but each in his
> degree,
> 'Neath such discerning rule many dwell happily.
> Many relatives will live near a king, when they
> observe that he does not look on all alike, but
> that he looks on each man according to his merit.

A king that judges each person on their own merit, and not in comparision with others, will have a population that is content and that will look upon the king as good.

> Kural - 529
> Who once were his, and then forsook him, as before
>
> Will come around, when cause of disagreement is no
> more.
> Those who have been friends and have afterwards
> forsaken him, will return and join themselves (to
> him), when the cause of disagreement is not to be
> found in him.

Friends who have a difference of opinion may part ways but will reconcile after the situation is over and left in the past.


> Kural - 530
> Who causeless went away, then to return, for any
> cause, ask leave;
> The king should sift their motives well, consider,
> and receive!
> When one may have left him, and for some cause has
> returned to him, let the king fulfil the object
> (for which he has come back) and thoughtfully
> receive him again.

If a person leaves for no reason then comes back to the group but needs to leave again should be scrutinized by the king/leader, the value of this person's contributions determined, and only then allowed to come before the king/leader. By doing so the decision will be fair and not a rash reaction.


Don't take this Texan's interpretations serious now!

Regards,
Lobo-hotei
lobo




Treat the earth well, It was not given to you by your parents, It was loaned to you by your children.
Native American Proverb