குறள் மேல்வைப்பு வெண்பா -9

குறள் மேல்வைப்பு வெண்பா -9

The 93rd chapter in Thirukkural , is devoted to describing the evils of Gambling.

Is there a more telling example of the evils gambling can bring, than the story of  the Pandava King Yudhishtra, gambling away all his possessions , including his brothers and wife , and also his name and reputation ?  (The story is too well known to be elaborated further.)

This poem , in Eru Vigarpa Nerisai Venba  ( இரு விகற்ப நேரிசை வெண்பா ) format ,  captures it. The Kural (number  935) forms the third and fourth lines of the Venba.

Read on.

V.Ramesh ( Kanithottam )



உருளாய* மாடுதல் தீதென் றறிந்தும்    
திருவெலாம் சூதினால் தோற்றான்  - தருமன்    
சிறுமை பலசெய்து சீரழிக்கும் சூதின் 
வறுமை தருவதுஒன்று இல்

*உருளாயம்- உருள் தாயம் = சூது

The English version by Pope

Gaming wins many woes and ruins fair reknown
Nothing to want  brings men so surely down

       

The English version by Sutthaananda Bharathiyaar

Nothing will make you poor like game
which adds to woes and  ruins name.

Not

The Meaning :

There is nothing else that brings (us) poverty like gambling which causes many a misery and ruins ones reputation.

Penni  

n