தவம்
Penance
Kurals 261–270 from அறத்துப்பால் (Virtue). Each kural is a two-line couplet — Tamil text, transliteration, English translation, meaning and a short explanation.
அற்றே தவத்திற் குரு.
English translation
Pains endure; pain not beings This is the type of true penance
Tamil meaning
தனக்கு உற்ற துன்பத்தை பொறுத்தலும் மற்ற உயிர்க்குத் துன்பம் செய்யாதிருத்தலும் ஆகிய அவ்வளவே தவத்திற்கு வடிவமாகும்
Couplet
To bear due penitential pains, while no offenceHe causes others, is the type of 'penitence'
Explanation
The nature of religious discipline consists, in the endurance (by the ascetic) of the sufferings which it brings on himself, and in abstaining from giving pain to others
அஃதிலார் மேற்கொள் வது.
English translation
Penance is fit for penitents Not for him who in vain pretends
Tamil meaning
தவக்கோலமும் தவஒழுக்கமும் உடையவர்க்கே பொருந்துவதாகும்; அக் கோலத்தை தவஒழுக்கம் இல்லாதவர் மேற்கொள்வது வீண்முயற்சியாகும்.
Couplet
To 'penitents' sincere avails their 'penitence';Where that is not, 'tis but a vain pretence
Explanation
Austerities can only be borne, and their benefits enjoyed, by those who have practised them (in a former birth); it will be useless for those who have not done so, to attempt to practise them (now)
மற்றை யவர்கள் தவம்.
English translation
Is it to true penitent's aid, That others austere path avoid?
Tamil meaning
துறந்தவர்க்கு உணவு முதலியனக் கொடுத்து உதவவேண்டும் என விரும்பி மற்றவர்கள் (இல்லறத்தினர்) தவம் செய்தலை மறந்தார்களோ
Couplet
Have other men forgotten 'penitence' who striveTo earn for penitents the things by which they live
Explanation
It is to provide food etc, for the ascetics who have abandoned (the desire of earthly possessions) that other persons have forgotten (to practise) austerity ?
எண்ணின் தவத்தான் வரும்.
English translation
In penance lies the power to save The friends and foil the foe and knave
Tamil meaning
தீமை செய்யும் பகைவரை அடக்குதலும் நன்மை செய்யும் நண்பரை உயர்த்துதலும் நினைத்த அளவில் தவத்தின் வலிமையால் உண்டாகும்.
Couplet
Destruction to his foes, to friends increase of joyThe 'penitent' can cause, if this his thoughts employ
Explanation
If (the ascetic) desire the destruction of his enemies, or the aggrandizement of his friends, it will be effected by (the power of) his austerities
ஈண்டு முயலப் படும்.
English translation
What they wish as they wish is won Here hence by men penance is done
Tamil meaning
விரும்பிய பயன்களை விரும்பியவாறே அடைய முடியுமாகையால் செய்யத்தக்க தவம் இந்நிலையிலும் (இல்லற வாழ்க்கையிலும்) முயன்று செய்யப்படும்.
Couplet
That what they wish may, as they wish, be won,By men on earth are works of painful 'penance' done
Explanation
Religious dislipline is practised in this world, because it secures the attainment of whatever one may wish to enjoy (in the world to come)
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