We were getting late for Visagan's classes and I was pulling the car out of the garage. Realising I was spitting feathers I said, 'Visagan, please can you me get a glass of water'.
The next minute I was offered a a huge glass of water. However, I had to exercise a few acrobatic skills to avoid spillage, as the glass was filled up to the brim. Believe me or not, not another drop could have made it into the glass.
Amizhdhinum Aatra Inidhedham Makkal
Sirukai Alaaviya Koozh
The above kural means - The rice in which the little hand of their children has dabbled will be far sweeter (to the parent) than ambrosia. Water was indeed Ambrosia at that point of time, As I gulped it down, I remembered the 10 beautiful kurals related to Children, about which I will catch up some other day. Today's topic is about Hard Work and Perseverance.
'Don't you know mama likes only small servings', I asked.
There was silence for around 2 mins, so he must have thought and then chose to reply, 'How is that then, that you do not like small marks (in exams)?'
After a minute of silence came another remark , 'you know xxx (name told) has an I.Q of 167, he has the highest I.Q in the class'.
It was slowly dawning upon me that the exams fever was catching up at home, although a bit earlier than usual.
'I can' is better than I.Q, .... Son ....
How can the Thirukural, the book of Ethics for the ordinary man and for administrators not talk about hard work. This great epic, often called "Ulaga Podhu Marai (common knowledge for the world) has 3 chapters, dedicated to the topic, namely - Possession of industriousness, Avoidance of laziness and Perseverance.
Oozhaiyum Uppakkam Kaanpar Ulaivindrith
Thaazhaadhu Ugnatru Pavar
"Oozh" means fate or destiny in ancient Tamil. Many people say that fate can't be defeated. But this Kural says, one who strives with undismayed and unfaltering mind will leave the opposing fate defeated.
They who are industrious and persevere, without fear and without fainting from goals, will see fate put behind their back while they race ahead.
Theyvaththaan Aakaa Theninum Muyarsidhan
Meyvaruththak Kooli Tharum
This kural glorifies "Muyarchi" or labour probably even to a higher degree. Theyvam means Divinity.
Even if Divinity cannot make it possible, though destiny decrees one's deeds will fail, the reward for deeds will surely be paid.
I cant help but draw parallel to the great Bhagwad Gita here, one of the key messages of which is as below -
Do your duty in life ¾ to the best of your ability ¾ without any regard for the enjoyment of the fruits of your work. Fear of failure, caused by being emotionally attached to the fruits of work, is the greatest impediment to success because it robs efficiency by constantly disturbing equanimity of mind.
Hard work will yield its reward, without fail.
Here's another kural on the same topic.
Muyarsi Thiruvinai Aakkum Muyatrinmai
Inmai Pukuththi Vitum
This simply means ¾ Perseverance will produce wealth; idleness will bring poverty.
And to end with another kural (it is always so difficult to choose....between these pearls of wisdom, however, I need to - to avoid the risk of writing too long .....)
Vazhgha Tamil, Vazhga ThiruKural
Bye
The next minute I was offered a a huge glass of water. However, I had to exercise a few acrobatic skills to avoid spillage, as the glass was filled up to the brim. Believe me or not, not another drop could have made it into the glass.
Amizhdhinum Aatra Inidhedham Makkal
Sirukai Alaaviya Koozh
The above kural means - The rice in which the little hand of their children has dabbled will be far sweeter (to the parent) than ambrosia. Water was indeed Ambrosia at that point of time, As I gulped it down, I remembered the 10 beautiful kurals related to Children, about which I will catch up some other day. Today's topic is about Hard Work and Perseverance.
'Don't you know mama likes only small servings', I asked.
There was silence for around 2 mins, so he must have thought and then chose to reply, 'How is that then, that you do not like small marks (in exams)?'
After a minute of silence came another remark , 'you know xxx (name told) has an I.Q of 167, he has the highest I.Q in the class'.
It was slowly dawning upon me that the exams fever was catching up at home, although a bit earlier than usual.
'I can' is better than I.Q, .... Son ....
How can the Thirukural, the book of Ethics for the ordinary man and for administrators not talk about hard work. This great epic, often called "Ulaga Podhu Marai (common knowledge for the world) has 3 chapters, dedicated to the topic, namely - Possession of industriousness, Avoidance of laziness and Perseverance.
Oozhaiyum Uppakkam Kaanpar Ulaivindrith
Thaazhaadhu Ugnatru Pavar
"Oozh" means fate or destiny in ancient Tamil. Many people say that fate can't be defeated. But this Kural says, one who strives with undismayed and unfaltering mind will leave the opposing fate defeated.
They who are industrious and persevere, without fear and without fainting from goals, will see fate put behind their back while they race ahead.
Theyvaththaan Aakaa Theninum Muyarsidhan
Meyvaruththak Kooli Tharum
This kural glorifies "Muyarchi" or labour probably even to a higher degree. Theyvam means Divinity.
Even if Divinity cannot make it possible, though destiny decrees one's deeds will fail, the reward for deeds will surely be paid.
I cant help but draw parallel to the great Bhagwad Gita here, one of the key messages of which is as below -
Do your duty in life ¾ to the best of your ability ¾ without any regard for the enjoyment of the fruits of your work. Fear of failure, caused by being emotionally attached to the fruits of work, is the greatest impediment to success because it robs efficiency by constantly disturbing equanimity of mind.
Hard work will yield its reward, without fail.
Here's another kural on the same topic.
Muyarsi Thiruvinai Aakkum Muyatrinmai
Inmai Pukuththi Vitum
This simply means ¾ Perseverance will produce wealth; idleness will bring poverty.
| Netuneer Maravi Matidhuyil Naankum Ketuneeraar Kaamak Kalan |
Procrastination, forgetfulness, idleness, and sleep, these four things, form the vessel which is sailed by those destined to destruction. |
Vazhgha Tamil, Vazhga ThiruKural
Bye
