Iniyavai kooral –tenth chapter of Thirukural

Iniyavai  kooral –tenth chapter  of Thirukural

(Telling sweet things)

Translated by

P.R.Ramachander

(IN this chapter valluvar  pleads with us to talk sweetly.  He says   that one of the important aspects of Dharma   is “Sweet words”  and  he concludes  that  , if we  use  harsh words  when sweet words are there , is like robbing  unripe fruits  from a garden with e ripe   fruits.)

1.In cholal   eeram  alai  ippa padiru ilavaam,

Chemporul  kandar vai chol.

1.Sweet words would be mixed  with love  and would be   free from deceit ,

And   are the  words  coming  from mouth of   those  who know  the truth.

2.Akan amarnthu   eethalin  nandre  mukan amarnthu  ,

In cholan aaka    perin.

2.If one has the habit of telling  sweet words   with a  pleasant  face,

It  is better than   the habit  of giving charity  with  a pleased  mind.

3.Mugathan amarnthu  inithu nokki  akathaanaam,

In chol  inithe    aram.

3.Telling sweet words   looking sweetly   with  a  happy face,

With words coming from the  mind is Dharma.

4.THunpuroom  thuvvamai  yilaakum  yaar maattum,

Inpuroom   in chol avarkku

4.Those  having capacity  to  speak sweet words  that lead to happiness ,

Wound not undergo  poverty leading  to sorrow.

5.Panivudayaan   incholan  aathal   oruvarkku ,

Aniyalla mathu pira.

5.Humility   and sweet words  add s beauty to a person,

All other  things do not contribute to his beauty.

6.Allavai theya   aram perugum, nallavai  ,

Nadi iniya cholin.

6.Suppose a person searches for the good  and tells ,

About them sweetly , evil events would get reduced

And Dharma  would grow for him,.

7.Nayan eendru   nandri payakkum   payan eendru,

Panbin   thalai piriyar chol.

7,Words  which cause  good and   which are   not  away  from sweetness,

Would cause good to those  who hear  them ,and good to those  who tell.

8.Chirumayul neengiya in chol  marumayum,

Immayum inbam tharum.

8.To the person who tells sweet words causing happiness,

And  which are  not disliked  by others ,

Would give him happiness  in this world   and in the other.

9.in chol initheendral kanpaan  , evan kolo,

Van chol  vazhanguvathu.

9.Why is it  a  person enjoying sweet words of others,

Tells   harsh words to others.

10.iniya ulavaka innatha  kooral,

Kaniyiruppa kai kavarnthattu.

10.Telling harsh words when sweet words are available,

Is like stealing   unripe fruits when ripe ones are available.

The God like sage Ramana -A poem in Tamil by Anand Vasudevan

பகவான் ஸ்ரீ ரமண மகரிஷி

By

Anand Vasudevan

புண்ணிய பூமியன்றோ திருச்சுழி
நம் யாவர்க்கும் பிறந்ததோர் நல்வழி

மதுரையில் உணர்ந்த மரண அனுபவம்
அருணையை அடைந்த அதிசய அற்புதம்

மூன்று ரூபாய் ரகசிய பயணம் 
அண்ணாமலையாருடன் நிரந்திர சங்கமம்

உலகம் திரண்டது பாலனைக் காண 
அழகம்மையும் சேர்ந்தாள் தன் சிசுவைப் பேண

உண்ணாமுலையம்மனின் அற்புத லீலை 
பாமாலையாய் உதித்தது அக்ஷரமண மாலை

நான் யார் எனும் சலியா விசாரம் 
பகவான் நல்கிய உன்னத மார்க்கம்

அஹந்தை அழித்து அகத்தில் பயணம் 
நமக்கும் விளங்கும் ஓர் நாள் நிச்சயம்

பகவான் திருவடியில் சரணாகதி 
ரமணா எமக்கு நீயே கதி

- ஆனந்த் வாசுதேவன்

The God  like sage  Ramana

By

Anand Vasudevan

Translated  By,

P.R.Ramachander

(The sage Ramana  one of the great saints  was called  Bhagawan (god),This is a  poem written by  Sri Anand Vasudevan, the organizer  of the great on line portal  “Amritha  Varshini (the rain of nectar)”,.Knowing well that  he can  translate  his own work  much better  than me  , I am making  an attempt to  do it, so that  the non –tamil  devotees  of Ramana  can have a glimpse  of   the words which have come from the heart of Anand.)

1.Is not  Thiruchuzhy*    a blessed land  ,

Because from it was  born good path for all  of us.

*Is the birth place   of  Sage Ramana

2.The  recognition of experience  of death in Madhurai*,

And great  wonder  of his reaching  Arunachala(Thiruvannamalai ).

*When Ramana was 17 , he attended  the marriage of his brother in Madurai,

He laid down   when he was alone in a room, imagining  himself as dead and,

Felt a great power  taking him over  and felt he was  reborn.

3.The secret journey     with three   rupees*,

And the permanent merger with God of  THiruvannamalai.

*He left his place with only  three rupees.

4.The entire world assemble d to see  the young boy ,

And Azhagamma* also  joined to nurture   her baby.

* mother  of Ramana

5.The  wonderful sport  of the Goddess  Unnamulai*

Fell from his mouth   as Akshara  mana Malai**.

*The goddess of Thiruvannamalai

** Great work of Ramana .Read my translation in http://stotraratna.sathyasaibababrotherhood.org/s50.htm

6.The   tireless  quest to find out “Who am I?”

The  BHagawan  gave  the superlative  path

7.Ego and pride  were destroyed in the journey to inside ,

Would definitely be understood by us one day.

8. We will surrender at   the divine feet of the Bhagawan,

Saying “Oh Ramana , you are  our only protection.”

Virunthombal- Ninth Chapter of Thirukural

Virunthombal- Ninth  Chapter  of Thirukural.

(treating guests  well/hospitality.)

Translated by,

P.R.Ramachander

(To  lead a good life the householder need to support the society that  he lives in.  Here  the guest is  not the only one   who comes  to our  house on a visit. In  ancient days  , the householder   was supposed   to search for people   who need to be fed and feed them properly. The poet  feels horrified at  our eating food  without giving it to the guest.He feels that  those who treat guests  well would  go to heaven.  He wants everyone  not to neglect them, because   they would feel greatly insulted   and  humiliated.)

1.I rundhu   ombi   yil vaazhvathu   yellam  virunthu onbi  ,

Velanmai   cheithal  poruttu.

1,living   with family   is  only aimed,

At  hospitality  and treating  guests  well.

2.Virunthu   purathathath  thaan undal   chavaa ,

Marunthu yeninum   vendar paathu andru.

2,Keeping the guest outside  and  our  eating

Even  if we are eating   medicine  for avoiding death  is not desirable.

3.Varuvithu vaikalum   ombuvaan  vazhkkai  ,

Paruvathu  paazh paduthal indru.

3.The life of one who  daily  invite guests  and then treat,

Them hospitably ,  would never  involve suffering.

4.Akanamarnthu   cheyyal   urayum   mukanamarnthu  ,

Nal  virunthombuvan   yil.

4.In  the house  of those ,   who  treat   good guests,

With  hospitality  and smiling face , Goddess Lakshmi   would live happily.

5.Vithum idal vendum  kollo , virundhombi  ,

Michil   misaivan pulam

5.  Is there  any necessity   to sow seeds  ,  for the one who feeds  their  guests,

And share  thereafter    whatever  is left over  with his family

6, Chel virundhombi , varu virundhu kathiruppan,

Nal virundhu vanathavarkku.

6,He   who treats  well the  departing guest ,

And waits  for the arriving guest would be a good  guest in heaven,

7.Inai thunaithu  yenpathu   ondru illai virundhin,

Thunai thunai   velvi payan.

7.It is not possible to estimate  the good arising  out of  hospitality ,

For  it depends  on  the  suitability  of the guest.

8.Parinthombi  pathathom   yenbar  , virunthombi,

Velvi  thalai padathaar.

8.Those ignorant people   who do not bother about  the great  effect ,

Of treating   their guests well , would later  sorrow ,

Thinking  that  they have wasted their wealth and became supportless.

9.Udamayil   inmai   viruthu  ombal  , ombaa ,

Madamai  madavar  kan undu.

9.Poverty  in spite of wealth is due  to ignorance  about need

Of good treatment of guests and these  people   would be among   fools.

10.Moppa kuzhayum anicham , mukam  thirinthu,

Nokka kuzhayum  virunthu

10 Just like  anicham flower fades on  smelling it,

The face of the guests  would fade seeing  an unwelcome face.

Give me back, Oh God -A tamil poem by Chennai Pithan

Give me back, Oh God  -A tamil poem by  Chennai  Pithan

Translated by

P.R.Ramachander

(I was charmed by this poem and the great author graciously   gave me permission .Thanks  to that  great poet)

Give me back , Oh God,

All that I have lost  ,

God asked , “which all have you lost?”

“Several , beyond count  , is it ever , possible to list them all,

I lost my youth due to change of time  m

I lost my prettiness   , due to change of form,

I lost my health  , due to change  of age ,

Which all shall I list, when you ask me , Oh  god

Give me back , oh  God, all that I have lost ” Said I.

That God  broke  in to a pretty laugh ,

“You learnt, you lost your ignorance,

You worked , you lost your poverty  ,

You were friendly, you lost your enemies,

There are  several more that I can list,

Shall I” the God asked  “return them all  “,

I was perplexed, I realized the other  face of my loss ,

I understood   that the loss and gain  were  only the two faces,

I became clear  and God disappeared.

Proposal for another Rakhi Poonam

Proposal for another Rakhi Poonam

By

P.R,Ramachander  

An old man  and woman in the  evening of their life ,

Sitting lonely  in a nook   of their big flat,

Were  not expecting any one to tie a Rakhi to them,

Though they   needed  a tie   of protection   from some one.

Their brothers  and sisters   as old as them  ,

Too were  living  in a faraway  fancy nooks ,

AS lonely and  as  insecure   as them.,

Then  the old man jumped  up high ,

Inspired   by  a brilliant   idea  great,

Said he,” Why not  another  Rakhi poonam day ,

When my  darling   children   come here ,

And tie  a  Rakhi   on these  enfeebled hands ,

And say , “ As long   as   we   are alive,

Your   security  is  our concern,”

And this old lady  with her  shivering hands,

Would make  the sweet  that she  used to cook,

And  feeding them would  say  ,

“Little ones  , have you forgotten this sweet.”

Anbudamai-Eighth chapter of Thirukkural

Anbudamai-Eighth  chapter of Thirukkural

(Having love)

(I am feeling little nervous  in using the word “love”   as meaning of the word “Anbu” because love in present day Tamil Nadu means  , the liking  between opposite sexes. “Anbu” is much above that, It is a  great liking   that  does not expect  anything  in return.,Valluvar  starts with saying that love (anbu) cannot be g hidden. He says there is no selfishness  in it .He goes further expalaing the need   for love , the results of love  and concludes that a loveless body is a skeleton  which is  covered by a skin.)

1.Anbirkum undo daikkum thaazh,aarvalar.

Punkaneer poosal tharum.

1.Is there a  bolt to lock  love , for,

When the loved one is sad , tears  from our   eyes  would show it.

2.Anbilar yellam   thammukku uriyar  , Anbudayar,

Yenpu,   uriyar   pirakku.

2.All those without love  believe everything is only theirs,

But those who have love, believe even their body belongs to others.

3.Anbodiyaintha vazhakkenpa  aaruyirku  ,

Yenpodu iyaintha  thodarppu.

3. The dear soul   joins with the body  , only ,

For living with love to others.

4.Anbu   eenum  aarvam  udaimai , thu eenum,

Nanbenum naadaa chirappu.

4.Love  makes others  get attracted to us and that ,

Would give  the immeasurable  thing called friendship.

5.Anbuthamarnthar vazhakkenba  vaiyakathu  ,

Inbuthaar   yeithum   chirappu

5.Those   who live in this life  , with ties of friendship,

Would also   lead a happy life in heaven.

6.Arathirkke   anbu charppu   yenba ariyaar  ,

Marathirkkum akthe  thunai .

6.The ignorant ones would say   that  acts of Dharma ,

Follows only due to love but it also removes  acts  which are against Dharma

7.Yenbu   ilathanai   veyil pola  kayume  ,

Anbu ilathanai aram.

7.Similar to worms without bones being killed by heat of Sun,

The  God of Dharma   would trouble him who does not have love

8.Anbakathilla uyir vaazhkkai  , vapar kan,

Vatthal  maram thalirthathattu.

8.The life  of a person without love  is like,

The  dried tree in a desert  giving out new shoots.

9.Purathurpellam   yevan cheyyum  yaakkai  ,

Akathu uruppu   anbu   ilavarkku

9.What is the need   of  all limbs outside ,

For a person who  does not have love, which is within.

10.Anbin  vazhiyathu   uyir nilai , akthilarkku  ,

Yenbu thol  portha   udambu

10.Only the body with love  is a living body,

The body of others is a skeleton  covered  by skin.

Avaniyavattam seventy years back in my village Chelakkara , Kerala

Avaniyavattam seventy years back in my village  Chelakkara , Kerala

By

P.R.Ramachander

      I am sure  you would be surprised at my spelling of Avaniyavattam.  That is what we used to call   the Upakarma or Avani avittam  during those days in my little village  of Chelakkara.(Even today , I am not familiar with  names of Tamil months)  While all the 18 villages of Palakkad   were agraharams , Chelakkara   was  far removed from them  and was a very small village  , which we in our lingua used to call Otha madam i.e  Homes  separated from each other by a compound surrounding them.  WE were an island amidst Malayali homes   and  our best friends were Malayalis  .Whenever we wantd to discuss anything seriously within our homes  , it was in Malayalam .In our village  most of the vegetables were  home grown.Things like tomato  or  Kothamalli   were  not simply available. I always thought   that the way we celebrate  festivals   was different  from Tamil Brahmins of Tamil Nadu and possibly also from Palakkad  Agraharams.

      Avaniavattam used   to start in the early morning   with young boys taking a  Stick of Palasa  tree(PLasu)   and going to every Brahmin home  in the village   jointly shouting

  “Avaiavattam Komanam ,

   Ambi poranthal Shobhanam

Akka  porantha Ukkarai,

Ammaan porantha Ayiram panam,

Patti porantha Bakshanam

Patta  porantha  Pazhukka  Vadi”

   (since it was  so long ago that I heard this , I might have committed mistakes. Do correct me.)

In every home , the mama would be waiting with a Kaupeenam to be given to each boy.  In some rich house   they used to give Pattu KOmanam(silk Kaupreena)   and some  very rich  houses    they would give 4  Anna coin   (25 paise coin). Only boys whose poonal  is not  celebrated can go for this.

On the avaniavittam day , early  morning all  boys whose poonal is over and all Mamas as well as Thathas  have  to get their  hair cut. Compulsorily  During those   times , there  were two village barbers called Govindan and appukuttan. People would be queuing up   to get their  cut  early moning. After bath, all  people would have   a break fast of Idly and then around  10 Am  they all   would go to the Samoohathu Madam(community hall of the village   and  the front courtyard of the temple. There were two vadhyars in the village during those times. Saminatha Vadhyar who belonged to the  chelakkara village itself and Sami Vadhyar who had come  from Ayilur and settled down there. So the avaniavattam    would be observed in two places. All the young boys whose poonal   had not been celebrated would have a Kalla Poonal  .Most of the Mamis and girls   also would come there.After  Madhyaneekam (now almost no body does it)  , followed by Brahma Yagnam and the Maha Sankalpam   every one  assembled there would go to the village tank to take bath  .Only on that particular day we would be able to see   all mamas and Thathas  jumping in to the tank one by one to take bath.After  the bath every one  would go back to the Vadhyar. The women folk would have brought  dry cloths for them to change  .Then after Kanda Rishi Tharpanam, there would  be  a community Veda Parayanam, followed by Gayathri  Homam.It was at this time  all those who were attending their first avani  avittam  would be undergoing special rituals like tying of the deer skin and a  rope made  of flax tied around them. By that time , the Mamis would return home to prepare  the avaniyavattam feast  .

   I am recollecting all those pleasant  memories after  going to Upakarma  arranged by  an industrialist in Koramangala, Bangalore . The camaraderie  or the homely sweetness   which we had during those   times has completely disappeared. All people only want to change their poonal and rush to office .Things are bound to change but should it change so much   , that   we are not enjoying the only male  centric festival  of Tamil Brahmins.

Mati Kaha Kumhar se

Mati Kaha  Kumhar se

(The mud told the potter)

  By

Sant Kabir Das

Translated by

P.R.Ramachander

(Sabt Kabir was a   great mysic poet    who lived in the 15^th centuary. He was  by birth as weaver   and his writings are critical of both Hindu and Islam religions .These  songs  have been  sung by Anup Jalota in a Bhajan   and I was greatly attracted by them. But I  do not have mastery  of the  Hinidi language  .So I did consult the translations   given in http://bhajansagar.blogspot.in/2012/06/bhajan-sandhya-by-anoop-jalota-thumak.html  but the words  and style of translations are my own.I wish  all of you   should read  this and hear  it sung by Anup Jalota in https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3IVrFqwZK-M&safe=active )

1.mati Kaha  Kumahar se  , kya roundhe mohe ,

Yik dhin aisa  aayega  main roundungi   toye

1.The mud told the potter’You are crushing me now,

But a day will come, when I   will crush you.

2.AAyen hai  to jayenge  , raja rank sabhi  ,

Yek simhasan chadhi   chale yek bandhe    zanjir.

2.Those who have come will have to go ,whether they are king or beggar ,

One of whom climbed the throne and another  bound by a chain.

3.Durbal ko na sathayiye  , jaaki  mothi haaye  ,

Bina  jeebh  ke  haaye  ke loha  basm hoyi jaaye.

3.Do not cheat the weak people   for their curse  is severe ,

As  even without the toungue  , they  turn steel  in to ash.

4.CHalthi chakki   dekh ke   dhiya  kabira roye  ,

Do patan ke beech  mein  sabut  bacha  na koye

4.Seeing   the powdering mill working  Kabir cried,

Because between the two slabs  no full grain was saved.

(A tread mill  was called Ezhundhiram in Tamil .After  ,

The grain is put in the centre  the upper part is rotated. The grains get crushed ,

And the powder  falls  from  all sides. Kabir cried becaue when treadmill ,

Of time   rotates  no one  ever survives.)

5.Haad jalr ju lakdi  , kesh jale  jug has,

Sab jad   jaltha dekh  ke bhaye   kabir udhas.

5.Bones  burm like wood, hair burns like grass,

Seeing  that  everything was  burning , Kabitr becomes listless.

6.Kabira khai  koti ki  pani peeve na khaaye  ,

Jayee mile  jab  gang say  gangothak haye ,

6.Kabir says , the water  from drain in the house  is neither eaten nor drunk,

But when it merges with Ganga, it becomes as pure as water of Gangothri.

7.Thulsi  thulsi   sab kahe  , thulsi bab ki  ghas,

Ho gayi krupa   ram ki   to ban gayen THulsi das.

7.People say Thulasi, thulasi  as if  he is  a shrub of forest  ,

But  when he got the   grace of Rama , he became Thulasidas.

8.Saanch bar bar  thap nahi joot barabar pap,

Jake hridaya   sanch hi   take  hiradaya  Prabhu.

8.Truth is the  right penance   and lie  is the right sin,

In the hearts where  truth lives, the  lord also lives.

9.Dukh mein   sumiran   sab Karen , sukh mein kare  na koi,

JO sukh  mein sumiran karen  to dukh.

9.Everyone remembers God when he  is sad and no one  when he is happy  ,

But if one remembers  him while he is happy, how can sorrow exist.

10.Rahimaan  dhhaga  prem ka  no yodo chitkaye  ,

Toote  se phir  ma jude , jude tho gaanth  pad jaye.

10.God says   to not break the  thread of love,

For once it breaks  it does not join and even if it does , there would be a knot.

11.Aisi deni   den ju  , kith sikhe hosain,

Jyu jyu   kar uncho  karyo tyun  niche  nain

11.Where did you learn this type of charity,

Of  looking   down with your eye   when  you hands rise to give.

12.DEnhaar  koi aur  hai bhejat   jo dhin rain,

Log bhram humpar   Karen  taso neeche nain

12.The one  who gives in not me but has sent me to give ,

And when people misunderstand, my eyes   are downcast.

13.Thulasi samsar  meain sabse  miliye dhai  ,

Na jaane ki  roop mein  Narayan mil jaayen

13.THulsidas   rushes to meet every one in this world ,

For knows not he , in which form he will meet Narayana,

Appendix

   

These verses are not there  in Anup Jalotas  BHajan  but he tells a story of Kabir meeting Thulasi  in verses 11-13. .But   these  two verses  are included  instead of them   in  http://bhajans.holydrops.com/maati-kahe-kumhar-se-164.htm

1.Patta  toota  daal se  , le gayi  pavan udai  ,

Ab ke bichde kab milenge , door pademgay jay.

1.A leaf fell  from a broken branch and the wind  took it away,

When will they who are  separated meet again  as distance keeps on increasing.

2.Kabir aap  thaagayiye  , aur na thagiye koi ,

Aap  thage   dukh upaje , aur thage dukh hoi.

2.Oh  Kabir , either one cheats you or  you cheat  any other,

If you cheat  you become happy , if you get cheated some one else   would be happy.

Makkat peru-seventh chapter of Thirukural

Makkat peru-seventh chapter  of Thirukural 

Getting birth to a child 

(Here is a remarkable  chapter  on sons and daughters and their relation to   their father. Each of the gems of the verses  would definitely bring tears  in to the eyes of any reader .First the  poet tells how great is the gift of a  children as   sorrow for seven generations would be removed  by it. Then the  poet tells us about the matchless  happiness  that  a son  or daughter  would bring to the family. Though I  have  read a lot, I have never seen anywhere  the definition  of sweetness  that a  child  brings  to his parents as done by this great poet .I wish this is read by all people  who do not know  Tamil.)

1.Perum avathul  yaamarivathillai   arivarintha,

Makkat peru  alla pira.

1.Among the things that we get  , all others,

Are not as great as  getting an intelligent  child.

2.Yezhu  pirappum  theeyavai  , theendaa pazhi pirangaa,

Panpudai   makkal perin.

2.Even in seven(series/types)  births problems   would not come near ,

To him who gets children  whose conduct  is beyond reproach.

3.THam porul  yenpatham  makkal  avar porul,

Tham tham  vinayal   varum.

3.Children are   our own wealth   and  that wealth ,

Comes due to  our Karma.

4.Amizthinum  aatha  inithe   tham makkal  .

Chiru kai  alaviya  koozh.

4.The gruel nixed by  the little hands  of our child ,

Is much  tastier  than nectar.

5,akkal mei theenda;   udarkinbam  , mathavar  ,

Chol  kettal  inbam chevilkku.

5.Touch by our children  is the pleasure  for the body,

And hearing their voice  is pleasure  to the ears.

6.Kuzhal inithu , yaazh inithu  yenbar , tham makkal ,

Mazhalai   chol  Kelathavar

6.Those who have not lisping  toungue of their babies,

Would say , the Violin is sweet   and the flute  is sweet.

7.Thanatha magarjkku  aathum nandri  , Avayatrhu  ,

Munthi iruppa cheyal.

7.The  help that  a   father  does to g his son,

Is to make him wise  so  that he  is  the leader  of any assembly.

8.THammil tham makkal arivudamai manilathu .

Mannuyirkellam inithu.

8.The  children being wiser  than us  , is the news,

That is sweet for  all beings  on earth.

9.Yeendra pozhthil   perithuvakkum    than makanai  ,

CHandron yens ketta thai  .

9.The joy of mother  hearing that  her son is great,

Is much more than the joy she  felt when he   was born.

10.Makan thanyjaikku aathum udavi , ivan thanthai,

Yen nothaan  kol yenum chol

10.The help that  can be done by a son to his father ,

Is making others say ‘What   great penance has  his father done?”

A very happy ONAM to each and every one of my friends

A  very happy  ONAM  to each and every one of my friends 

          Puducode  Rama Iyer Ramachander aka  Raja Thatha

A Keralite (the one who lives in the coconut garden)  celebrates ONAM  for two reasons.

A.The major harvest of Kerala  reaches their granaries  before the festival  , though a poet g has sung “Onam vannalum , Unni pirannalum  Korannu kubilil  Kanji(Even if a Onam comes or a new baby is born Koran(a poor man)   drinks his rice gruel using  the spoon made of leaf)

B. Mahabali  who ruled over Kerala   long long time back is supposed  to visit   Kerala to find out how his former subjects were  living and no Keralite   wants to disappoint   their great king .(How  he ruled over them is given in a poem in Malayalam given at the end)

     It is perhaps the greatest community festival of Kerala. All children come to their native home from wherever they are.  Every one wears  new cloths Every home arranges for a decorative  floral drawing in their courtyards.There is a great feast arranged in each and every home.There are  games like Ona Panthu and I Ona THallu  which take place in every nook and corner. Thus each and every one  , tregardless of religion or community finds  something to celebrate .Possibly with surcharged emotion  each one of us   should wish  “Onam neenal  vaazhatte”

Maveli Naadu vaanidum kaalam

(When  the Great  Mahabali    was ruling  our country)

Transiteration of lyrics

http://vimalsuresh.com/2012/08/15/onam-song-maveli-naadu-vanidum-kaalam-lyrics/

Translation   by

P.R.Ramachander

1.Maveli Naadu vaanidum kaalam

Manushyarellarum onnu pole

Aamodathode vasikkum kaalam

Aapathangarku-mottilla thaanum

When  the great Mahabali was   ruling our country,

All the men     were    uniformly   alike  ,

It was   a time when they all lived   with joy,

And there was not even a little danger   to any one.

2.Maveli Naadu vaanidum kaalam

Manushyarellarum onnu pole

Aamodathode vasikkum kaalam

Aapathangarku-mottilla thaanum

When the great Mahabali was ruling our country  ,

All the men were   uniformly   alike 

 It was   a time when they all lived   with joy,

And there was not even a little danger   to any one.

3.Aadhikal vyaadhikal onnumilla

Baalamaranangal kelkkanilla

Dushtare kankondu kaanmanilla

Nallavarallathe illa paaril… illa paaril

There were neither  sufferings    nor diseases,

No one had heard   of infant    deaths  ,

None could say   they had seen a   a bad human being ,

Only good people   were  there  in this world… in this world

4.Maveli Naadu vaanidum kaalam

Manushyarellarum onnu pole

Aamodathode vasikkum kaalam

Aapathangarku-mottilla thaanum

When the great Mahabali was ruling our country  ,

All the men were   uniformly   alike 

 It was   a time when they all lived   with joy,

And there was not even a little danger   to any one.

5.Kallavumilla chathiyumilla

Ellolamilla polivachanam… polivachanam

Vellikolaadikal naazhikalum

Ellam kanakkinu thulyamaayi… thulyamaayi

There is no theft    nor was there cheating  ,

Even  to a weight of  a single gingelly  , there were no lies , there were no lies,

All  types   of silver balances    and   of different type of measures

 Weighed/measured  accurately  …accurately

4.Maveli Naadu vaanidum kaalam

Manushyarellarum onnu pole

Aamodathode vasikkum kaalam

Aapathangarku-mottilla thaanum

When the great Mahabali was ruling our country  ,

All the men were   uniformly   alike 

 It was   a time when they all lived   with joy,

And there was not even a little danger   to any one.

5.Kallapparayum cherunazhiyum

Kallatharangal mattonnumilla

Kallavumilla chathiyumilla

Ellolamilla polivachanam… polivachanam

Lying big measure   and  inaccurate   small measures ,

And    the   cheating  activities   were  not there at all,

There  is no lying acts  , nor cheating.

 Even  to a weight of til , there were no lies , there were no llies

6.Maveli Naadu vaanidum kaalam

Manushyarellarum onnu pole

Aamodathode vasikkum kaalam

Aapathangarku-mottilla thaanum

When the great Mahabali was ruling our country  ,

All the men were   uniformly   alike 

 It was   a time when they all lived   with joy,

And there was not even a little danger   to any one.

.Vaazhkkai thunai nalam-Thirukkural sixth chapter

.Vaazhkkai thunai nalam-Thirukkural sixth chapter

(The  goodness of companion  to life)

Translated By

P.R.Ramachander

(After  clearly establishing that  life of house holder  is great  , The great Valluvar  goes on to tell the need for a good wife  for having a great life. Suitable  life depending on monetary status, good virtue, respect   for her husband , self protection of  herself and   good treatment  of her husband  are  the hallmarks of a good wife   according to the poet.He clearly points out that  a man without   good life would lead a miserable life  .Finally he ends the chapter  by saying ,  getting children would make  family life  much more greater.)

1.Manai thakka   manpudayal   aakithan   konadan,

Valathakkal vaazhkkai thunai

1.He  who gets a companion  who has good nature to suit his home,

Would get a companion  who lives within his income.

2.Manai makshi   illal kan   yillayin , Vazkkai  ,

Yenaimakshithu  aayinum   yil.

2.If  suitable characters are  not there in his wife  ,

His  life would be useless in spite of having   everything.

3.Yillathiyen yillaval maanpaal   ullathuyen ,

Yillaval  manaa  kadai  .

3.There is nothing that is not there if  his wife is good natured,

But he would have nothing , if his wife is to the contrary.

4.Pennin pernthakka  ya aula , karpu  yennum,

Thinmai  undaga perin .

4.If  his   wife   has   got  virtue , there is nothing greater,

Than  that   he can have .

5.Deivam thozaal   kozhunan  thozhuthu yezhuvaal,

Peyyena  peyyum mazhai

5.If  a lady who does  not worship gods but   gets up,

After  saluting  her husband , commands , it would rain.

6.THarkathu   tharkondar   peni  thagai Chandra ,

Chor katthu   chorvu ilal  pen.

6.She who protects herself , nurtures  her husband  and protects ,

The fame   that  she has,   is the Lady   who does not  forget   her goodness.

7.Chirai  kakkum kappu   yevan cheyyum  makalir  ,

Nirai kakkum   kappe   thalai.

7.How can artificial protection , protect a lady,

What  is topmost important  is the protection  that she  gives herself to her virtue.

8.Pethaan  perin  peruvar  pendir permchirappu  ,

Puthelir  vaazhum ulagu

8.If the husband gets  proper treatment   from his wife ,

She would get great treatment  in land of devas

9.Piugazh  purintha  illilorkillai   yigazhvar mun,,

Yeru pol peedu nadai.

9.If a man does not get wife  without praiseworthy qualities,

He  cannot  walk  royally like a male lion before those who chide  him

10.Mangalam yenba  manai matchi mathathan  ,

Nankalam   nanmakkal peru

10.Auspeciousness  is having a wife  with great qualities,

And an ornament   to it is getting   good children.

Mohathai Kondru Vidu (Kill this passion in me)

Mohathai Kondru Vidu  (Kill this passion in me)

By

Mahakavi Bharathiar

Translated from Tamil  by

P.R.Ramachander

(Mahkavi Subramanya Bharathi    was one of the greatest poets of India    who was also a great nationalist  as well as  a person with deep devotion to God  .His poems  would melt the  mind of any one reading them. I do not know , why he wrote this poem  but  it simply shakes you  . You can hear the poem sung in https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDoKdHnMWMQ&safe=active .I have given my translations first and lyrics typed in English next  .I know  I can never  be able to bring out the pathos   and the fierce anger due to helplessness  which  is expressed by the  Mahakavi   but  I have made a feeble  attempt.)

English translation

1.Oh Goddess  who is the world   and created all that  which is here,

Kill  all my passions  or otherwise   stop my breath,

Make my body fall  or otherwise  remove the  thoughts that is in it,

Alter  my fate or otherwise   crush   this body of mine .

2.Oh Goddess  who is within everything  and makes  them  act  ,

Remove my attachments or otherwise remove the burden of this life,

Make my thought process  clear   or make this body in to a corpse,

Would I remain in this world thinking  that  this chaff  is really grain?

3.Oh Goddess  who is difficult to define  but is within everything ,

Would not my mind get pleased? Would not this untrue  pride disappear?

Would not   these lying acts  melt down? Oh mother , Would not the tears of devotion flow?

Would not the thirst of this dog  get quenched  , in the   flood of your mercy ?

Tamil  original

1.Mohathai kondru vidu –allal yendran

Moochai niruthi vidu;

Dekathai chaithu vidu  -allal athil ,

Chinthanai maithu vidu  ,

Yogathiruthi vidu –Allal yendran  ,

OOnai chidaithu vidu  ,

Yeka thirunthu ulagam-ingullana ,

Yavayum  chibavale

2,Bandathai neeki vidy –allal   uyir,

Barathai pokki vidu,

Hinthai thelivakku  -allal ithai,

Chetha udalakku,

Indha padargalaye –nella mena  ,

Yenni iruppeno?

Yentha porulilume  -ulle nindru  ,

Iyangi iruppavale

3.Ullam kuliraatho  -Poyyanava ,

OOnam ozhiyatho?

Kallam urugatho? Amma , Bhakthi ,

Kanneer  perugatho?

Vella karunayile –innnai  chiru,

Vetkai  thaviratho?

Villar kkariyavale  -Anaithilum,

Mevi iruppavale ?

Yil Vazhkai Thirukkural fifth chapter

Yil Vazhkai  Thirukkural   fifth chapter

(the life of a house holder)

  (This chapter  tells us  the need and greatness  of the life of house holder .It keeps on reiterating that  all other people   depend on the householder and if a householder lives according to Dharma, He would be much greater than one who does penance  . The Vedas, Puranas as well as Bhagwad Gita  again and again emphasise this point.  The verse8 of Chapter3 of Gita    tells us exactly the same thing.)

1.Yil vaazhvan yenban  iyalpudaya  moovarkkum,

Nallathin  nindra  thunaai.

1.The one called  householder   would be  the help,

To those  three * , in the  path of   good.

*Brahmachari, Vana Prastha  and  Sanyasi or parents , siblings and children

2.Thurantharkkum  thuvvatharkkum , irantharkkum,

Yil vaazhvan  enban thunai.

2.The householder  is the support   to the Sanyasis ,

All others   who are  living and those   who are dead.

3.Then pulathaar  deivam  virundhu okkal   thaan  yendru aangu,

Iym pulathu   ombal thalai.

3.Householder has   the duty  of  taking   care   of the five  ,

Viz, dead ancestors  , God  , guests , relatives   and his own self.

4.Pazhiyanji paathoon  udaithayin  vaazhkkai  ,

Vazhiyenjal  yenjandrum yil.

4.Getting  scared for bad name  and earn wealth  and live sharing it,

And then his  foot steps   would be there for ever.

5.Anbum   aranum udaithayin  yil vaazhkkai,

Panpum payanum  athu

5.If love  and   Dharma  dominate the life of householder ,

His life  would be cultured  and useful.

6.Aranthathin yil vaakjkai  aathin puranthathil,

Pooy  peruvathu   yevan?

6. If householder leads  his life  as per  Dharma,

What   extra  would he get by renunciation  ,

7.Iyambinaan  yil vaazhkkai   vaazhpavan   yenpan,

Muyalvarul   yellam thalai.

7.A householder leading  his life  according to Dharma ,

Is the greatest  among all those who try  various ways.

8.AAthin ozhukki  aran  yizhukka  yil vaazhkkai,

Norparin   nonmai   udaithu.

8.The householder  who supports and helps maintain ,

All those  who do penance and leas his life  properly,

Would become more  famous  than those  who do penance

9.Aran yena pattathe   yil vaazhkkai   akthum  ,

Piran pazhippathu   yil aayin  nandru.

9.Dharma is only  life of householder and life of renunciation,

If done   without  others  blaming it  , also is good.

10.Vayyathul  vaazhvangu  vaazhpavan  , vaan urayum,

DEivathul vaikka padum.

10.He   who leads life of householder properly in this world,

Would be considered  equal to Devas  in heaven.

Aran Valiyuruthal -Thirukural fourth chapter

4.Aran Valiyuruthal (Thirukural    fourth  chapter)

(Emphasis on Dharma)

(Next to  the  chapter on  those  who follow  detachment  , Valluvar  writes  the chapter  on “Aram”,, which can be translated  as Dharma.This  is  the 4^th chapter in the Book of Dharma (arathu pal)  and the fourth  chapter  of Tirukural. After  describing the results expected   of following  Dharma  , the great poet  tries  to probe  a defition of this Dharma  in this chapter . He concludes

Jealousy, desire, anger , hurting words,

Avoiding  all these  four is  Dharma

What a universal defibition which    can be called    as the universal definition of Dharma.!  )

Translated  by

P.R.Ramachander

1.Chirappu eenum  chelvamum  eenum  arathin oongu,

Aakkam   evano uyirkku

Dharma  gives   you salvation as   well as wealth,

So nothing is greater  for souls than Dharma.

2.Arathin ooungu  aakamum  illai, athanai,

Marathalin  oongillai kedu

There is no greater  wealth than Dharma,

And no greater evil than forgetting it

3.Ollum vakayaan  aravinai  ovathe  ,

Chellum   vaai  yellam cheyal.

As much as possible follow  Dharma always,

In all ther activities.

4.Manathu kan masilan aathal anaithu aran ,

Aakula  neera  pira.

Staying  without  dirt in the  heart is Dharma ,

And all others  are done for only advertaisement.

5.Azhukkaru, avaa , veguli, innachol nangum,

Izhukka iyandrathu aram

Jealousy, desire, anger , hurting words,

Avoiding  all these  four is  Dharma

6.Andrarivaam   yennathu  aram cheika mathathu,

Pondrum kal  pondraa thunai

6.Without  postponing follow Dharma and that,

Is the  only  companion  to you  when you go  from this workd.

7.Aratharu   ithu yena   vendaa, Chivikai ,

Poruthabo toornthamn idai

7.There is no need  to learn the need for Dharma,

The difference between carrier and traveler  of a Palanquin

Would teach   you about this.

8.Veezh naal  padaa amai  nandru , aathin akthu  oruvan,

Vaazh naal adaikkum kal

8.It is great  to follow Dharma ceaselessly ,

That would be  the stone preventing  sorrows  in life to us.

9.Aram thaan varuvathe   inbam  , mathu yellam,

Puratha  pugazhum il.

9.Happy life  is  following Dharma, others ,

Are  acts without  joy and fame

10.Cheyarpalathu orum  arane  oruvarkku,

Uyar palathu  orum pazhi.

10.Only doing according to  Dharma is our duty,

And what  has to be avoided  is evil acts.

Neethar Perumai - Third chapter of Thirukural

Neethar Perumai ( Third chapter  of Thirukural)

Greatness  of those  who are detached/who can control

Translated  by

P.R.Ramachander

(Valluvar talks her   about people who has given up(have controlled ) all attachments. This is very similar  to the concept of detachment to actions  recommended by Bhagwat  Gita. The importance Valluvar   attaches   to this can be guessed  because  he puts this chapter  next to prayer of God and essentiality  of rain. Valluvar first praises those people who  had given up attachment  and then goes  to describe  those  people   who are  able to control their   senses and advises  people to do this impossible thing.)

1,Ozhukathu neethar perumai , vizhupathu ,

Vendum panuval   thunivu

1.The greatness of those  who have given up ,  after,

A life of good   conduct, are praised  by books

2.Thuranthar perumai   thunai koorin   vayyathu  ,

Irantharai   yenni kondathu.

2.Measuring  greatness of those  who have  given up the world,

Is like counting  the ones born or dead  in this world till now.

3.Irumai  vakai therinthu   eendu   aram poondar  ,

Perumai   pirangithu   ulagu.

3.The fame of those who  studied  the life of householder and a sage ,

And chose to get detached is  considered greater  in earth.

4. Uran yenum thottiyaan  orainthum  kappan,

Varan yenum  vaippirkor   vithu

4. The trainer who is  able  to control  the elephant of five senses,

By the goad of firmness of mind, is like the seed  to  the land of heaven.

5.Iynthavithan  aathal   akal visumbu laar komaan,

Indirane   salum kari.

5.The power of the one controls  his five senses can be witnessed,

By Indra   the  king  of the heavens.

6.Cheyarkariya cheyvar periyar, chiriyar  ,

Cheyarkariya  cheyyalathaar

6.Great ones  are those  who do the impossible,

And those   who cannot    are  inferior ones.

7.Suvai oli  ooru osai  natham  yendru  iynthin,

Vakai   therivan katte  ulagu .

7.The world  is  under  the control  of him  ,

Who controls, taste , light , touch  sound and smell.

8.Nirai mozhi manthar  perumai  nilathu  ,

Marai  mozhi katti vidum.

8.The greatness of those humans whose talk is  wisdom filled

Is shown by  the great books (Vedas?)  that they compose.

9.gunam  yennum  kunreri  ninraar  veguli  ,

Kanameyum kathal arithu.

9.The anger of those   who have climbed the hill of  good  ,

Is difficult   to sustain   even for a  second.

10.Anthanar yenbor  Aravor , mathevyuirkkum,

Chenthanmai  poondu  ozhukalal

10.Brahmins (great people)  are followers of Dharma,

As they treat  with great mercy   all  beings  on earth.