Tirukkural Chapter 01 - Couplets 1,2,3 Poem by Rajaram Ramachandran

திருக்குறள்
Thirukkural
அதிகாரம் 1 - கடவுள் வாழ்த்து
Chapter 1-Kadavul Vazhthu
***
1. அகர முதல எழுத்தெல்லாம் ஆதி
பகவன் முதற்றே உலகு

1.Akara mudala ezhuthellaam aadhi
Bhagawan mudhatre ulagu

For all the letters, the first is ‘A'
For the world, the first is ‘God'
***
Son: 'Oh papa, I've a doubt. Please tell me,
The Hen came first or the Egg came first?
The Tree came first or the seed came first? '
When and who created them all?

Father: 'Oh my son, God is the Creator,
The Almighty with Supernatural Power,
The Omnipotent, the Omniscient, the Limitless
The Immortal, the Supreme, the Shapeless.

The Creator of the whole Universe,
Who's beyond our limited senses,
Can he not create a tree or hen first,
Or for that matter, a seed or egg first.

Note: There is another meaning for Aadhi Bhagawan,
Who were supposed to be the parents of Thiruvalluvar,
The author of Thirukkural. One more interpretation is
Aadhi = The ancient, Bhagawan = God, Narayanan,
(We have a name like Adhinarayanan)
***
2. கற்றதனால் ஆய பயனென்கொல்? வாலறிவன்
நற்றாள் தொழாஅர் எனின்.

2.Katradanaal aaya payanenkol? Vaalarivan
Natraal thozaar enin.

2. Of what use one's education is
If one worships not God's feet?
***
Son: Papa, many educated people
Why they don't believe in God?

Father: No my son, most of them believe in
One God and not so many Gods.
Some call themselves as Atheists,
Or non believers or rationalists.

But God treats everyone alike.
He gives food, water and shelter
To every living being, and without Him
Not even an atom can move freely.
***
3. மலர்மிசை ஏகினான் மாணடி சேர்ந்தார்
நிலமிசை நீடுவாழ் வார்

2. Malarmisai eginaan maanadi serndhaar
Nilamisai needuvazh vaar.

3. With love one who worships Lord's feet
Ever lives in happy world.
***
Son: Oh Papa, How one should live
To attain endless happiness?

Father: My son, one who surrenders
To God's Lotus feet,
He always lives
In the world of happiness.

Do birds or animals worry
About the next day's food?
Yet, they don't starve and die.
God feeds them daily.