Thirukkural Chapter 3 - The Greatness of Ascetics


Couplet 21 
The settled rule of every code requires, as highest good,
Their greatness who, renouncing all, true to their rule have stood
Explanation
The end and aim of all treatise is to extol beyond all other excellence, the greatness of those who, while abiding in the rule of conduct peculiar to their state, have abandoned all desire

Couplet 22 
As counting those that from the earth have passed away,
'Tis vain attempt the might of holy men to say
Explanation
To describe the measure of the greatness of those who have forsaken the two-fold desires, is like counting the dead

Couplet 23 
Their greatness earth transcends, who, way of both worlds weighed,
In this world take their stand, in virtue's robe arrayed
Explanation
The greatness of those who have discovered the properties of both states of being, and renounced the world, shines forth on earth (beyond all others)

Couplet 24 
He, who with firmness, curb the five restrains,
Is seed for soil of yonder happy plains
Explanation
He who guides his five senses by the hook of wisdom will be a seed in the world of heaven

Couplet 25 
Their might who have destroyed 'the five', shall soothly tell
Indra, the lord of those in heaven's wide realms that dwell
Explanation
Indra, the king of the inhabitants of the spacious heaven, is himself, a sufficient proof of the strength of him who has subdued his five senses

Couplet 26 
Things hard in the doing will great men do;
Things hard in the doing the mean eschew
Explanation
The great will do those things which is difficult to be done; but the mean cannot do them

Couplet 27 
Taste, light, touch, sound, and smell: who knows the way
Of all the five,- the world submissive owns his sway
Explanation
The world is within the knowledge of him who knows the properties of taste, sight, touch, hearing and smell

Couplet 28 
The might of men whose word is never vain,
The 'secret word' shall to the earth proclaim
Explanation
The hidden words of the men whose words are full of effect, will shew their greatness to the world

Couplet 29 
The wrath 'tis hard e'en for an instant to endure,
Of those who virtue's hill have scaled, and stand secure
Explanation
The anger of those who have ascended the mountain of goodness, though it continue but for a moment, cannot be resisted

Couplet 30 
Towards all that breathe, with seemly graciousness adorned they live;
And thus to virtue's sons the name of 'Anthanar' men give
Explanation
The virtuous are truly called Anthanar; because in their conduct towards all creatures they are clothed in kindness