Tirukkural Chapter 21 - Couplets 7,8,9,10 Poem by Rajaram Ramachandran

திருக்குறள் -THIRUKKURAL
அதிகாரம் 21 - தீவினையச்சம்
CHAPTER 21 - FEAR OF EVIL DEEDS
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21/07. எனைப்பகை உற்றாரும் உய்வர்; வினைப்பகை
வீயாது அடியுறைந் தற்று.

21/07. Enaippagai utrrarum uyivar; vinaippagai
Veeyadhu adiurrian dhatrru.

21/07. A man can escape from strong enemies
But can't do so against evil causing worries continuously.
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Son: What can one do against evil?

Father: True, he can't do against evil.
But from his side, let him not do evil.
And invite the devil's presence,
He can then be happy in its absence.

It's only the irony of fate,
That takes command to dictate,
In unleashing the devil,
Even if one is against the evil.

Perhaps the fate may harm,
But one should refrain from
Doing evil deeds at any time,
Which will bounce back on him.
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21/08. தீயவை செய்தார் கெடுதல் நிழல்தன்னை
வியாது அடியுறைந் தற்று.

21/08. Theeyavai seidhaar kedudhal nizhalthannai
Viyaadhu adiyurraindh dhatrru.

21/08. How a man spoils himself by his evil deeds?
It is like the long shadow that falls under his feet at noon.
***
Son: At noon there will be no shadow
Of any object as sun is on its top.

Father: Yes you're right
Any deed follows that man.
It bounces back on the man,
Who's the cause for it.

Evil deeds bring evil results.
Good deeds bring good results.
If one sows corn, he reaps corn.
Cut weeds which grow in between.

It's in the hands of one
To be away from a man,
Who can cause harm,
Anywhere, at any time.
***
21/09. தன்னைத்தான் காதலன் ஆயின் எனைத்தொன்றும்
துன்னற்க தீவினைப் பால்.

21/09. Thannaiththaan kaadhalan aayin enaiththonrrum
Thunnarrka theevinaip paal.

21/09. Even if one keeps love on his own self,
Let him not do even a small harm to others.
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Son: Papa, I understand that one should not harm others.

Father: Yes, now you know what is what?
So, don't do any evil deed, be it
Big or small, for it'll affect
You as well as others, in fact.

You can tell your friends
What all you've heard
So that they'll also avoid
Doing any evil deed.

You'll grow up then
As a big wise man
And tell all others
Not to do evil deeds.
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21/10. அருங்கேடன் என்பது அறிக மருங்கோடித்
தீவினை செய்யான் எனின்.

21/10. Arungkedan enbadhu arriga marungkodith
Theevinai seiyaan enin.

21/10. If a good man deviates not from lawful activities
Let him know that he'll not get any harm.
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Son: So one should be good and lawful.

Father: If he's lawful always,
And does good deeds,
No devil can harm him,
Anywhere, at any time.

The sum and substance
Of this chapter is,
Avoid doing evil deeds,
Always do good deeds.

None has seen a devil,
But it is a brother of evil,
That can't be viewed,
But can be experienced.
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