Virtue (அறத்துப்பால்) / Ascetic Virtue
Chapter 37
அவா அறுத்தல்
Curbing of Desire
Avaavaruththal. Malay: Mengekang Nafsu. Kurals 361 to 370.
When controlling desire and craving.
How to say it
Avaaenpa Ellaa Uyirkkum EnjGnaandrum Thavaaap Pirappeenum Viththu
Meaning in plain English
(The wise) say that the seed, which produces unceasing births, at all times, to all creatures, is desire
Poetic translation
The wise declare, through all the days, to every living thingThat ceaseless round of birth from seed of strong desire doth spring
G. U. Pope, 1886
How to say it
Ventungaal Ventum Piravaamai MatradhuVentaamai Venta Varum
Meaning in plain English
If anything be desired, freedom from births should be desired; that (freedom from births) will be attained by desiring to be without desire
Poetic translation
If desire you feel, freedom from changing birth require!'I' will come, if you desire to 'scape, set free from all desire
G. U. Pope, 1886
How to say it
Ventaamai Anna Vizhuchchelvam EentillaiAantum Aqdhoppadhu Il
Meaning in plain English
There is in this world no excellence equal to freedom from desire; and even in that world, there is nothing like it
Poetic translation
No glorious wealth is here like freedom from desire; To bliss like this not even there can soul aspire
G. U. Pope, 1886
How to say it
Thoouymai Enpadhu Avaavinmai MatradhuVaaaimai Venta Varum
Meaning in plain English
Purity (of mind) consists in freedom from desire; and that (freedom from desire) is the fruit of the love of truth
Poetic translation
Desire's decease as purity men know; That, too, from yearning search for truth will grow
G. U. Pope, 1886
How to say it
Atravar Enpaar Avaaatraar MatraiyaarAtraaka Atradhu Ilar
Meaning in plain English
They are said to be free (from future birth) who are freed from desire; all others (who, whatever else they may be free from, are not freed from desire) are not thus free
Poetic translation
Men freed from bonds of strong desire are free; None other share such perfect liberty
G. U. Pope, 1886
How to say it
Anjuva Thorum Arane OruvanaiVanjippa Thorum Avaa
Meaning in plain English
It is the chief duty of (an ascetic) to watch against desire with (jealous) fear; for it has power to deceive (and destroy) him
Poetic translation
Desire each soul beguiles; True virtue dreads its wiles
G. U. Pope, 1886
How to say it
Avaavinai Aatra Aruppin ThavaavinaiThaanventu Maatraan Varum
Meaning in plain English
If a man thoroughly cut off all desire, the deeds, which confer immortality, will come to him, in the path in which he seeks them
Poetic translation
Who thoroughly rids his life of passion-prompted deed, Deeds of unfailing worth shall do, which, as he plans, succeed
G. U. Pope, 1886
How to say it
Avaaillaark Killaakun Thunpam AqdhuntelThavaaadhu Menmel Varum
Meaning in plain English
There is no sorrow to those who are without desire; but where that is, (sorrow) will incessantly come, more and more
Poetic translation
Affliction is not known where no desires abide; Where these are, endless rises sorrow's tide
G. U. Pope, 1886
How to say it
Inpam Itaiyaraa Theentum AvaavennumThunpaththul Thunpang Ketin
Meaning in plain English
Even while in this body, joy will never depart (from the mind, in which) desire, that sorrow of sorrows, has been destroyed
Poetic translation
When dies away desire, that woe of woesEv'n here the soul unceasing rapture knows
G. U. Pope, 1886
How to say it
Aaraa Iyarkai Avaaneeppin AnnilaiyePeraa Iyarkai Tharum
Meaning in plain English
The removal of desire, whose nature it is never to be satisfied, will immediately confer a nature that can never be changed
Poetic translation
Drive from thy soul desire insatiate; Straight'way is gained the moveless blissful state
G. U. Pope, 1886