Tirukkural Chapter 105 - Couplets 7,8,9,10 Poem by Rajaram Ramachandran

திருக்குறள் -TIRUKKURAL
அதிகாரம் 105 - நல்குரவு.
CHAPTER 105 - ON POVERTY
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105/07. அறம்சாரா நல்குரவு ஈன்றதா யானும்
பிறன்போல நோக்கப் படும்.

105/07. Arramsaaraa nalkuravu eendrradhaa yaanum
Pirranpola nokkap padum.

105/07. A poverty stricken man, who has no benefit of moral deeds,
Will be treated like a stranger by his own mother.
***
Alpana: It is a fact that even one's mother
Will not care for his poor son.

Upasana: Mother also expects her son
A substantial amount to earn,
And if he has poor income,
She doesn't care for him.

It may be wife or mother,
They'll become so dear,
If his money bags swell,
All their wants to fulfill.

If his cash chest is empty
Due to his utter poverty,
He looks like a stranger
To his wife or mother.
***
105/08. இன்றும் வருவது கொல்லோ நெருநலும்
கொன்றது போலும் நிரப்பு.

105/08. Indrrum varuvadhu kollo nerunalum
Kondrradhu polum nirappu.

105/08. "Yesterday poverty came like threatening to kill me, "
"I am afraid if this poverty will come today also."
(Like this a poor man is afraid daily) .
***
Alpana: Poor man he has his own fear daily
Whether poverty will kill him one day?

Upasana: His fear is natural,
As poverty is so cruel,
That'll squeeze one's blood,
With no proper sleep or food.

One gets near death experience,
As poverty always gives,
So, he fears, "what came yesterday,
Will it come again today? "

A poor man lives on false hopes,
That he'll have better days,
And poverty will disappear,
Giving him relief thereafter.
***
105/09. நெருப்பினுள் துஞ்சலும் ஆகும் நிரப்பினுள்
யாதொன்றும் கண்பாடு அரிது.

105/09. Neruppinull thunjalum aagum nirappinull
Yaadhondrrum kannpaadu aridhu.

105/09. A poor man can even sleep even in the middle of fire
But he cannot sleep when he is in poverty.
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Alpana: Fire is better than poverty
The poet feels poverty is so treacherous.

Upasana: Food, shelter and dress
These are minimum needs
For anyone in this world,
But why a poor man is denied?

With scanty meals, hut as shelter,
And untidy dresses, how a poor
Can manage his life daily,
Amidst his poor family?

So, a poor man spends,
Many sleepless nights,
As fire is better he feels,
Than poverty that almost kills.
***
105/10. துப்புரவு இல்லார் துவரத் துறவாமை
உப்பிற்கும் காடிக்கும் கூற்று.

105/10. Thuppuravu illaar thuvarath thurravaamai
Uppirrkkum kaadikkum kootrru.

105/10. Poor people who have no means to earn their livelihood
must renounce their family lives; Otherwise for salt and sour gruel, they will suffer.
***
Alpana: The poet says, better they renounce family lives
Instead of begging for salt and sour gruel.

Upasana: Their attachment to family lives
Will not allow them to leave their wives
And children, besides their houses,
To lead an ascetic life in forests.

But how long they'll beg for food,
And for the entire family, it is no good.
Even in forests who'll feed them,
Morning and evening, every time?

So many problems a poor man had,
Which would make him mad,
And God only must save them
By giving proper succor to them.
***