Attempt to translate the first chapter of Kural
By
P.R.Ramachander
(
Thirukural the magnum opus of
saint Thiruvalluvar consists of 1330
verses each containing two lines, with first line having four words and the
second thre words. Thousands of translations and commentaries of this work in umpteen language exist. I tried to translate the first chapter of Kural dealing with worship of Gods, with verses
in English with as few words as possible .Please try to make
my translation more short with
better meaning .)
Kadavul Vazhthu
(Praising of God)
1.Akara Mudhala ezhuthellam aadhi,
Bhagavan mudathe ulagu
1.Alphabets
start with “A”,
And the world with
God
2.Kathathanaal aana payannen kol valarivan,
Nathaal
thozhaar yenin.
2.Useless is the learning ,
unless Lord’s
Feet is saluted
3.Malarmisai
yeginaan manadi chernthaar,
Nilamisai
needoozhi vaazhvar
3 Worship God occupying the flower like mind
And live long for all times to come.
4.Venduthal vendamai
ilaan adi chernthaarkku ,
Yaandum
idumbai ilai
4.To those who join the
feet of him who has no likes or dislikes
There would never be
any sorrow.
5.Irul cher iru
vinayum cheraa iraivan,
POrul cher pugazh
purinthaar maatu.
5, Those who praise
the stable fame of God,
Are not followed by the dark fates of past karma
6.pOri vayil
iynthavithan poi neer ozhukka,
Neri nindrar needu
vaazhvar
6.Forsake evil of five senses
and follow
The dharma and
live long .
7.THamakku uvamai illathaan thaal chernthaarkku allal,
Manakkavalai
mathaal arithu
7.Except by Joining feet of the incomparable
God ,
Getting cured of
mental worries is difficult.
8.Aravaazhi anthanan
thaal cherntharkku allal,
Pira vazhi
neendhal arithu
8. Except by saluting
the feet of Good people ,
Who follow Dharma , swimming ocean of samsara is
difficult.
9.Kolil poriyil
gunamilave , yen gunathaan,
Thalai
vananga thalai .
9.The head of those who do not salute the great God ,
Is as useless as the organs
which fail to function.
10.Piravi perum kadal
neenthuvar neenthaar,
Iraivan adi cheraathaar,
10 Try to swim and cross
the great ocean of birth,
For those who do not, do not reach the feet of God.
4 comments:
Indeed it is great beginning. As English seems to be more predominant for economical reasons the valuable messages from the great KURAL very well translated will reach more people.
Well begun is half done! Excellent start. I hope the whole text is translated by you!
THere are hundreds of translations of Kural in to english , n most of them by great writers.Do you really think , there is place for my translation?
Your translation is simple and elegant. So sure there is a high position for your translation thatha. 👍
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