Virtue (அறத்துப்பால்) / Prologue
Chapter 1
கடவுள் வாழ்த்து
The Praise of God
Katavul Vaazhththu. Malay: Pujian kepada Tuhan. Kurals 1 to 10.
When you seek faith, humility and a spiritual foundation.
How to say it
Akara Mudhala Ezhuththellaam AadhiPakavan Mudhatre Ulaku
Meaning in plain English
As the letter A is the first of all letters, so the eternal God is first in the world
Poetic translation
A, as its first of letters, every speech maintains; The "Primal Deity" is first through all the world's domains
G. U. Pope, 1886
How to say it
Katradhanaal Aaya Payanenkol VaalarivanNatraal Thozhaaar Enin
Meaning in plain English
What Profit have those derived from learning, who worship not the good feet of Him who is possessed of pure knowledge ?
Poetic translation
No fruit have men of all their studied lore, Save they the 'Purely Wise One's' feet adore
G. U. Pope, 1886
How to say it
Malarmisai Ekinaan Maanati SerndhaarNilamisai Neetuvaazh Vaar
Meaning in plain English
They who are united to the glorious feet of Him who passes swiftly over the flower of the mind, shall flourish long above all worlds
Poetic translation
His feet, 'Who o'er the full-blown flower hath past,' who gainIn bliss long time shall dwell above this earthly plain
G. U. Pope, 1886
How to say it
Ventudhal Ventaamai Ilaanati SerndhaarkkuYaantum Itumpai Ila
Meaning in plain English
To those who meditate the feet of Him who is void of desire or aversion, evil shall never come
Poetic translation
His foot, 'Whom want affects not, irks not grief,' who gainShall not, through every time, of any woes complain
G. U. Pope, 1886
How to say it
Irulser Iruvinaiyum Seraa IraivanPorulser Pukazhpurindhaar Maattu
Meaning in plain English
The two-fold deeds that spring from darkness shall not adhere to those who delight in the true praise of God
Poetic translation
The men, who on the 'King's' true praised delight to dwell, Affects not them the fruit of deeds done ill or well
G. U. Pope, 1886
How to say it
Porivaayil Aindhaviththaan Poidheer OzhukkaNerinindraar Neetuvaazh Vaar
Meaning in plain English
Those shall long proposer who abide in the faultless way of Him who has destroyed the five desires of the senses
Poetic translation
Long live they blest, who 've stood in path from falsehood freed; His, 'Who quenched lusts that from the sense-gates five proceed'
G. U. Pope, 1886
How to say it
Thanakkuvamai Illaadhaan Thaalserndhaark KallaalManakkavalai Maatral Aridhu
Meaning in plain English
Anxiety of mind cannot be removed, except from those who are united to the feet of Him who is incomparable
Poetic translation
Unless His foot, 'to Whom none can compare,' men gain,'Tis hard for mind to find relief from anxious pain
G. U. Pope, 1886
How to say it
Aravaazhi Andhanan Thaalserndhaark KallaalPiravaazhi Neendhal Aridhu
Meaning in plain English
None can swim the sea of vice, but those who are united to the feet of that gracious Being who is a sea of virtue
Poetic translation
Unless His feet 'the Sea of Good, the Fair and Bountiful,' men gain,'Tis hard the further bank of being's changeful sea to attain
G. U. Pope, 1886
How to say it
Kolil Poriyin Kunamilave EnkunaththaanThaalai Vanangaath Thalai
Meaning in plain English
The head that worships not the feet of Him who is possessed of eight attributes, is as useless as a sense without the power of sensation
Poetic translation
Before His foot, 'the Eight-fold Excellence,' with unbent head, Who stands, like palsied sense, is to all living functions dead
G. U. Pope, 1886
How to say it
Piravip Perungatal Neendhuvar NeendhaarIraivan Atiseraa Thaar
Meaning in plain English
None can swim the great sea of births but those who are united to the feet of God
Poetic translation
They swim the sea of births, the 'Monarch's' foot who gain; None others reach the shore of being's mighty main
G. U. Pope, 1886