குறள் மேல்வைப்பு வெண்பா - 7

குறள் மேல்வைப்பு வெண்பா - 7

Of what use are wealth, valour and even piety if one deviates from the moral path?  Many a famous person has  tripped due to some shortcomings!

In the  chapter titled  பிறன் மனை நோக்காமை  Valluvar talks about one such evil -- coveting another man's wife and the ills that it will bring.

The story of Ravana is too well known to be elaborated. Ravana coveted Sita and took her away Lanka which act, ultimately led to the destruction of his Kingdom and his death.

He was a great warrior and is reputed to have been a scholar in his own right and also a fine singer to boot. His rendering of Sama Veds is said to have moved Lord Siva so muxcch that it made him forgegive manuy of ravana's transgressions and give boons to him. But inspite of  all that , today he is remembered only for his evil deed - of coveting Sita. ( See footnote for a more detailed version) .

The Saint poet Thiruvalluvar bringsout this aspect in Kural No.146 in the "adhikaaram" (chapter) tirtled ' Piran Manai Nokkaamai". People who covet another's wife, the poet says cannot escape the Hatred of others, Sin, fear and Disgrace, however great they may be otherwise.

Now for the Kural Melvaippu Venba , in which,  the third and fourth lines are from the original kural No. 148.

ராமனின் இல்லாள்மேல் காமமுற்ற தாலிழிந்த        

ஏமரா*  ராவணனின் காதைதரும் பாடம்     

பகைபாவம் அச்சம் பழிஎன நான்கும்

இகவாவாம் இல்இறப்பான்  கண் .

*ஏமரா--  பாதுகாப்பாற்ற- (இங்கு நல்லோர் அறிவுறுத்தல் என்னும் பாதுகாப்பாற்ற- எனக் கொள்ளவும்.)

Now for the English vpoetic ersions and the  meaning.

Rev Pope says :

Who home invades, from him paas nevermore

Hatred and Sin, foul disgrace: these four

In Suddhanantha Bhathiyaar’s words :

Hatred , Sin , fear and Shame

These four stain adulteres evwer more

Meaning :

Hatred, Sin, fear and disgrace  -- These four will never leave him, who covets another's wife.

அன்புடன் 

ரமேஷ் 

Foot Note :

In the Age of the Ramayana Epic, Ravana was the most powerful Tamil King of Lankapuri (Ceylon or Sri Lanka). He was a renowned devotee of Siva, who was pleased with his severe penances and austerities, granted him the boons of earthly fame and worldly might. Ravana was a very talented Veena (Indian music instrument)  player. Ravana used Veena picture on the country flag. Ravana is not a Hindu God but rather a demon given great powers by the Gods because of his worship. The Gods granted him immunity from Death by a God  and conferred super-powers upon him. Ravana set himself up as Tamil King of Lankapuri (Ceylon or Sri Lanka).     In the height of his sovereignity, imbued with the desire to have the Lord of Kailas, his tutelary Diety installed in Lanka, he exceeded the limits of disciplined discrimination, and attempted by his invincible strength to transfix Mount Kailas, the traditonal abode of Siva from the Himalayan region to that of Lanka. He was foiled in this feat by the Lord crushing him under His Feet; and finally it was his astonding act of penance that saved him from the wrath of Siva. Ravana ripped into his left thigh, removed the nerve fibres and turned it into a lyre, and sang praise of Siva. Then it was that Siva released him, pleased with his mortification. This episode of Ravana was constantly alluded by the Saiva psalmists to signify that piety and devotion alone without purity and humility, could not redeem man or give him peace. Ravana was a great Hindu Bhakta; yet his code of life violated the Hindu Dharma and he had to pay for it dearly.