(31-40) Emphasis on Dharma

அறன் வலியுறுத்தல்

ARAN VALIYURATTHAL

EMPHASIS OF THE POWER OF DHARMA

INTRODUCTION

Here is emphasized the benefits of following the path of Dharma.

Dharma means the way of life as ordained by the scriptures of the yore.

(31)

சிறப்பீனும் செல்வமும் ஈ.னும் அறத்தினூஉங்கு

ஆக்கம் எவனோ உயிர்க்கு

CHIIRAPPU EENUM SELVAMUM EENUM ARATTINOO UNGU

AAKKAM EVANO UYIRKKU

It bestows pre-eminence in everything; bestows wealth!

What else can be a more excellent way of life for a human being,

 than following the dictums of Dharma (righteousness)?

(When a man does his duties properly, he will get the due benefits also properly. There is no doubt about it. A properly sown seed indeed will one day become a tree giving fruits.

A man on the path of Dharma will surely get wealth in the world, and also will be acclaimed by everyone for his good nature.)

(32)

அறத்தினூஉங் காக்கமும் இல்லை அதனை

மறத்தலின் ஊங்கில்லை கேடு

ARATTHINOO UNGU AAKKKAMUM ILLAI ATHANAI

MARATTHALIL OONGILLAI KEDU

There is nothing better than Dharma to gain excellence in life.

There is nothing more harmful than forgetting it.

(What happens when you do not follow the dictums of Dharma?

The same thing that happens to a seed not properly cared for! No benefits ever arise!)

(33)

ஒல்லும் வகையான அறவினை ஓவாதே

செல்லும்வாய் எல்லாஞ் செயல்

OLLUM VAGAIYAAN ARAVINAI OVAADE

SELLUMVAAI ELAAMJSEYAL

Without a break, one should perform actions based on righteousness only,

 wherever it has to be inculcated.

(When and all one should practice it? At all times!

That is, wherever you have to deal with others and have a choice in your action, then choose that path alone which is advised by the scriptures; and there need not be slack in following these dictums of Dharma like honesty, truth, kindness, generosity etc.

Never judge anything with anger. Never act rude. Never be greedy. Do not hoard wealth more than necessary. Help the needy. Do not be envious of others. Do not give way to anger. Do your work with sincerity and hardship. Never give way to vices. Never hurt others by word, mind and thoughts. Never act selfish. Never act arrogant. Respect your parents. Respect elders. Respect your teachers. Love your wife and children; and so on.

What harm is there in following such a disciplined life?)

(34)

மனத்துக்கண் மாசிலன் ஆதல் அனைத்தறன்

ஆகுல நீர பிற

MANATTHUKKAN MAASILAN AATHAL ANAITTHU ARAN

AAKULA NEERA PIRA

If the sense called mind is taintless, then everything is Dharma;

rest all is just idle pomp and worthless.

(How can we know what to do at what time?

Just be pure in the heart. Act always with a mind free of anger, greed, envy and selfishness. Surely you cannot go wrong in your action. Those who pretend to be good; yet fill their minds with the dirt of selfishness, greed, desire etc. are just fake followers of Dharma. They just fool others and also themselves.)

(35)

அழுக்கா றவாவெகுளி இன்னாச்சொல் நான்கும்

இழுக்கா இயன்ற தறம்

AZAKKAARU AVAA VEGULI INAASSOL NAANGUM

IZAKKAA IYANRADU ARAM

All actions which are done without

all these four-jealousy, desire, anger, rude word,

are indeed righteous actions.

(36)

அன்றறிவாம் என்னா தறஞ்செய்க மற்றது

பொன்றுங்கால் பொன்றாத் துணை

ANRARIVAAM ENNAADU ARANJSEYGA MARRADU

PONRUNGAAL PONRAATTUNAI

Perform good deeds without saying,

‘let it be done another day’.

If it is done so (without delay),

then that Dharma will be your undying friend when you are dying.

(And do not postpone the way of Dharma, saying that it is fit for aged people; that you want to enjoy life now in youth etc.  Dharma is like water that keeps the plant alive from the state of a seed to that of a grown-up tree. You cannot neglect watering the plant even for a day. It will wither and die away.

Similarly a human life needs Dharma from when a child starts understanding the world and must follow it till death.

Maybe friends will forget you; relatives may shun you; but Dharma will follow you like a faithful companion even after death. The merits of Dharma will take you towards better lives and better states, after death also.)

(37)

அறத்தா றிதுவென வேண்டா சிவிகை

பொறுத்தானோ டூர்ந்தான் இடை

ARATTHAARU IDUVENA VENDAA SIVIGAI

PORUTTHAANODU OORNDAAN IDAI

The results of adapting to the path of Dharma need not be defined.

 It is seen in the difference between

the palanquin-bearer and the one travels in it.

(What difference is going to make in one’s life by following Dharma, or not following it?

See the difference in the outside world. Why some one is poor, someone is rich?

A life of a person in this life is decided by the actions of his previous life.

The next life is decided by the actions of the present life.)

(38)

வீழ்நாள் படாஅமை நன்றாற்றின் அஃதொருவன்

வாழ்நாள் வழியடைக்கும் கல்

VEEZNAAL PADAA AMAI NANRRAARRIN ATTHORUVAN

VAAZNAAL VAZHIYADAIKKUM KAL

If one performs good deeds without missing a day,

then it will become the stone that blocks his path of births.

(Let all actions of yours be guided by the dictums of Righteousness and your life not only here at present, but also after death will be for the better.  If you have never done any mistake in your life by acting through greed, anger, envy or arrogance, then you will take births in noble families; acquire the knowledge leading to liberation and will be free of the bondage of births and deaths forever.)

(39)

அறத்தான் வருவதே இன்பமற் றெல்லாம்

புறத்த புகழும் இல

ARATTHAAN VARUVADE INBAM MARRELLAAM

PURATTHA PUGAZHAM ILA

That joy which you get out of doing good deeds alone is true joy,

 all the rest do not even get any acclaim.

(Do you know what peace reigns over the hearts of those who are in the righteous path?

Happiness is not in acting arrogant or being rude to others.

Happiness is not attained by running after inert objects.

Happiness is when you see the smile in the face of others.

Make your life worthy by giving maximum happiness to one and all.

Always act kindly towards the younger. Always act polite in front of the elders. Give a helping hand wherever there is a need. Do not value everything by money and wealth.

True joy is in the pure mind.

Whatever action you do with an impure selfish mind is really a condemnable act.)

(40)

செயற்பால தோரும் அறனே ஒருவற்கு

உயற்பால தோரும் பழி

SEYARPAALA THORUM ARANE RUVARKU

UYARPAALA THORUM PAZHI

Whatever one ought to do is virtuous deed only.

Whatever is to be avoided is the deed that is condemned.

(Just know this much.

Follow only Dharma or righteous actions and avoid Adharma or unrighteous acts.

That is the basic instruction to be followed from the level of childhood to the aged person.)