38.1 Fate

38.1 Fate

Question:

What is fate? Is it possible to overcome fate? 

Answer:

What is more powerful than fate? Even if one plans to overcome fate,

it will interfere with his plans.                                                                        (Couplet – 380)

People who work hard with ceaseless industry will overcome the obstacles

created by unpredictable random events.                                                                (Couplet - 620)

 

ஊழிற் பெருவலி யாவுள மற்றொன்று

சூழினுந் தான்முந் துறும்.                                                                             (குறள் – 380)

ஊழையும் உப்பக்கம் காண்பர் உலைவின்றித்

தாழாது உஞற்று பவர்.                                                                                (குறள் – 620)

 

Explanation:

The human mind does not want to concede that it is unable to find the reason why certain unforeseen random events occur.  So, it has created a fictitious entity called fate. Any event for which we are unable to identify the reason is considered the action of fate.  For example, if an apparently healthy man dies unexpectedly, then his death is attributed to fate. Some unknown health conditions might be the reason for his death. An autopsy would probably reveal the cause of his death. So, any event, that people refer to as fate is really unexpected random event for which we do not the cause. But it is a fact that such events do occur.  

What Valluvar refers to as fate can be interpreted as an unexpected random event. Valluvar realizes that despite careful planning, there may be unforeseen random events that could interfere with one’s ability to accomplish one’s objectives.  He says, “What is more powerful than unpredictable random events (fate)? Even if one plans to overcome them, they will interfere with one’s plans.”  Although he realizes the inevitability of unexpected interruptions to one’s plans, he is confident that people who work hard with ceaseless industry will be able to overcome the obstacles created by unpredictable random events.  So, the unforeseen random events otherwise known as fate would only interfere, but they are not insurmountable.

  

37.1 Elimination of Desires

 37.1 Elimination of Desires 

Question:

What happens if one eliminates all his desires?

 

Answer:

The final release from the chain of births and deaths will come only

to those who sever all attachments; others will continue to linger

in the impermanence of births and deaths.                                                 (Couplet – 349)

 

The elimination of insatiable desires will immediately confer

a state of eternal bliss that never changes.                                                  (Couplet – 370)

 

பற்றற்ற கண்ணே பிறப்பறுக்கும் மற்று

நிலையாமை காணப் படும்.                                    (குறள் – 349)

 

ஆரா இயற்கை அவாநீப்பின் அந்நிலையே

பேரா இயற்கை தரும்.                                                (குறள் – 370)

 

Explanation:

Desire is defined as a feeling of wanting to have something or wishing for something to happen. On the other hand, attachment is not wanting to be separated from someone or something. Desire is the root cause of attachment. Valluvar, as well as Vedic religion, Jainism, and Buddhism, assert that attachments result in several births, and to be free from the endless chain of births, one should eliminate all attachments. Since desire is the root cause of attachment, one should eliminate all desires to be free from attachments. Once someone has no attachments, he neither experiences sorrow nor joy, and such a state is called eternal bliss. Once someone has eliminated all desires and attachments and attained eternal bliss, his soul does not undergo any more births, and it continues to be in its natural state without any change.

36.1 Realizing the Truth

 36.1 Realizing the Truth

Question:

How to find the true nature of things?

Answer:

Whatever be the apparent nature of things, it is wise to investigate their

true nature.                                                                                              (Couplet – 355)

எப்பொருள் எத்தன்மைத் தாயினும் அப்பொருள்

மெய்ப்பொருள் காண்பது அறிவு.                                                (குறள் – 355)

Explanation:

The true nature of things may be different than how they appear. Investigation helps to realize the true nature of things. All scientific developments are the results of investigations of the true nature of things. If Isaac Newton had accepted that it was the nature of an apple to fall on the ground instead of flying away and failed to investigate the reason for the apple falling down, he would not have discovered gravitational force. All major discoveries in science are due to the persistent investigation of the true nature of things. Man is equipped with the ability for rational thinking. He should use his rational thinking ability to investigate the true nature of things instead of accepting things as they appear to be. 

36.2 Realizing the Truth

 36.2 Realizing the Truth

Question:

What should one do to avoid rebirths? 

Answer:

Wisdom is the realization of the truth which eliminates rebirths

occurring due to ignorance.                                                                      (Couplet - 358) 

பிறப்பென்னும் பேதைமை நீங்கச் சிறப்பென்னும்

செம்பொருள் காண்பது அறிவு.                                 (குறள் – 358)

 

Explanation:

It is a religious belief that due to ignorance human beings develop attachments to transient things and such attachments are the reason for rebirths. Therefore, to prevent rebirths, one should realize that attachments are the reason for rebirths and seek ways to be free from all attachments.

35.1 Renunciation

 35.1 Renunciation 

Question:

Should one become an Ascetic? 

Answer:

If you want to pursue the goal of salvation, renounce worldly pleasures.

Once you renounce worldly pleasures, many things need to

happen before attaining your goal.                                                         (Couplet – 342) 

வேண்டின் உண் டாகத் துறக்க துறந்தபின்

ஈண்டுஇயற் பால பல.                                                                                        (குறள் – 342) 

Explanation:

The Aryan's Vedic religion, the forerunner of modern-day Hinduism, advocated the social doctrine of four stages of life known as varnashrama dharma. It maintained that one should first be a celibate student, then become a married householder discharging his duties to his ancestors by begetting sons and to the gods by sacrificing; then retire with or without his wife to the forest to devote himself to spiritual contemplation; and finally, become a homeless wandering ascetic and devote himself to the pursuit of liberation (salvation). There is no evidence that the Tamil people ever took these stages of life as a serious concept to be followed. During Vallulvar's days and prior to that, very few people were ascetics, and most others were householders who were leading their family life. Valluvar considers becoming an ascetic an option instead of a required stage in life. Therefore, he says someone wants to be ascetic, let him become one. 

35.2 Renunciation

 35.2 Renunciation 

Question:

How to be free from reincarnations? 

Answer:

    The final release from births and deaths comes to those who have

    severed all attachments. Others will continue to experience

    more births and deaths.                                                                             (Couplet – 349) 

    பற்றற்ற கண்ணே பிறப்பறுக்கும் மற்று

    நிலையாமை காணப் படும்.                                                                           (குறள் – 349) 

Explanation:

Before one can understand Valluvar's reasoning for the cycle of births and deaths, one should realize Valluvar's stance on desire and attachment. Desire is defined as a strong feeling of wanting to have something or wishing for something to happen. On the other hand, attachment is not wanting to be separated from someone or something. In other words, attachment is intensified or exaggerated form of desire for something. 

The Vedic religion, Jainism, and Buddhism assert that desires lead to attachments, and attachments result in several reincarnations (or, as Buddhists prefer to call, several rebirths). In order to break the chain of births and deaths and attain salvation (nirvana or eternal bliss), one is supposed to control all desires and eventually vanquish all desires and attachments.

 

34.1 Impermanence

 34.1 Impermanence 

Question:

What is the best thing to do with our wealth? 

Answer:

Yesterday he was alive, but today he is no more. This impermanence

is the strange way of the world.                                                               (Couplet - 336) 

The wise consider each day as a sword that cuts down a man's life. (Couplet - 334) 

The rise and fall of fortune are like the gathering and dispersing of a

crowd in a theater.                                                                                      (Couplet - 332) 

Let virtuous deeds be done quickly before the tongue fails and

the last hiccup comes.                                                                                (Couplet - 335) 

நெருநல் உளனொருவன் இன்றில்லை என்னும்

பெருமை உடைத்துஇவ் வுலகு.                                                                        (குறள் – 336) 

நாளென ஒன்றுபோற் காட்டி உயிர் ஈரும்

வாளது உணர்வார்ப் பெறின்.                                                                           (குறள் – 334) 

கூத்தாட்டு அவைக் குழாத் தற்றே பெருஞ்செல்வம்

போக்கும் அதுவிளிந் தற்று.                                                                               (குறள் – 332) 

நாச்செற்று விக்குள்மேல் வாராமுன் நல்வினை

மேற்சென்று செய்யப் படும்                                                                                (குறள் – 335)

 

Explanation:

Life is transient. As each new day arrives, we are one day closer to our death. People who were alive yesterday are not alive today. Not only that our lives are impermanent so also is our wealth. Generally, people accumulate their wealth slowly, like assembling the crowd in a theater. Unforeseen business losses, sudden stock market decline, catastrophic flood, fire, and other calamities may wipe out a man's fortune, and it disappears like the crowd walking away all at once from the theater after the show is over. Of course, these days, there are exceptionally clever and astute people who diversify their portfolios of assets to protect their wealth from a disastrous collapse all of a sudden. But such shrewd people are very few, and most people suffer from major losses during the unexpected turn of events. Since life and wealth are transient, Valluvar insists that everyone should consider it their social responsibility to help the poor before encountering their death.

 

34.2 Impermanence

 34.2 Impermanence 

Question:

Is there a soul? Is it permanent? 

Answer:

Death is like sleep, and birth is the awakening from sleep.                (Couplet - 339) 

The fledgling flies away, abandoning the nest; such is the

soul's relationship with the body.                                                            (Couplet - 338) 

Is there no permanent place for the soul which leaves the body at the time

of death like the fledgling that flees its nest when it is ready to fly? (Couplet - 340) 

உறங்கு வதுபோலும் சாக்காடு உறங்கி

விழிப்பது போலும் பிறப்பு.                                     (குறள் – 339) 

குடம்பை தனித்து ஒழியப் புள்பறந் தற்றே

உடம்பொடு உயிரிடை நட்பு.                                   (குறள் -338) 

புக்கில் அமைந்தின்று கொல்லோ உடம்பினுள்

துச்சில் இருந்த உயிர்க்கு.                                     (குறள் – 340)

 

Explanation:

Major religions like Hinduism, Jainism, Judaism, Islam, and Christianity have the concept of a soul that is permanent and distinct from the body. Even ancient Greek philosophers like Plato believed in the existence of a permanent soul that temporarily resides in a human body when the body is alive. Despite the widespread belief that there is a soul and that it is permanent, there is no scientific evidence to support the existence of a soul. So, the fact that the soul exists and is permanent is a belief rather than a fact. 

Valluvar also subscribes to the idea that every human being has a soul, and it departs from the body when the body dies. According to Valluvar, the body and the soul relationship is like sleep and awakening. He also says that the soul departs from the body like the fledgling, abandoning the nest and flying away. He wonders whether there is a permanent abode for the soul which temporarily resides in the body like a tenant.

33.1 Avoidance of Killing

 33.1 Avoidance of Killing

Question:

Is killing inconsistent with virtue?

Answer:

Sharing your food with other living creatures and protecting them

is the best of all precepts in all the books of the world.         (couplet – 322)

 

Non-killing is the highest virtue; whereas the killing of life

will bring in its wake all evil.                                                         (couplet – 321)

 

பகுத்துண்டு பல்லுயிர் ஓம்புதல் நூலோர்

தொகுத்தவற்றுள் எல்லாந் தலை.                       (குறள் – 322)

 

அறவினை யாதெனின் கொல்லாமை கோறல்

பிறவினை எல்லாந் தரும்.                              (குறள் – 321)

 

Explanation:

           Almost all religions and ethical codes consider that sharing one’s food with other living beings is a compassionate act and recommend it. However, they differ in their position on non-killing. For example, the commandment, “Thou shalt not kill” in the Ten Commandments is generally interpreted as one should not kill another human being. Killing an animal for the purpose of eating their meat or hunting as a sport is not condemned in most religions. Only Jainism insists on the non-killing of any living being as its cardinal principle. The Vedic religion, the forerunner of modern-day Hinduism did not prohibit animal sacrifices. Even now, animal sacrifices are routinely carried out by the devotees of some Hindu Gods. Valluvar condemns the killing of any living creature for any reason. He says that killing is inconsistent with virtue and it is evil.

 

32.1 Nonviolence

 32.1 Nonviolence

Question:

What is violence, and how can we avoid violence towards others? 

Answer:

What one has realized as causing pain to oneself, one should

not inflict on others.                                                                                   (Couplet - 316) 

இன்னா எனத்தான் உணர்ந்தவை துன்னாமை

வேண்டும் பிறன்கண் செயல்.                                                                          (குறள் – 316)

 

Explanation:

Generally, violence is defined as the use of physical force to injure, abuse, damage, or destroy another living being. In fact, violence is much more complicated than that. A more comprehensive definition of violence given by the Old Testament Scholar Professor Terence Fretheim seems more appropriate and comprehensive. He says that violence may be defined as follows: any action, verbal or nonverbal, oral or written, physical or psychical, active or passive, public or private, individual or institutional/societal, human or divine, in whatever degree of intensity, that abuses, violates, injures or kills. Since violence implies a multitude of actions caused by words and deeds, it is difficult to know which actions should be avoided.

Consistent with Professor Terrence Fretheim’s definition, violence against other human beings would include verbal as well as physical violence. Verbal violence refers to harsh and unkind words, slander, and lies that offend and hurt another human being's feelings. Physical violence would include any physical attack which may cause pain, injury, or death to another person. Valluvar condemns verbal as well as physical violence. According to him, one should avoid any violence through the use of words or deeds.

There is a rule known as the Golden Rule, also referred to as the Law of Reciprocity. It refers to the principle of treating others as one would like to be treated. It is a maxim that is found in many religions and cultures. The Golden Rule is often attributed to the Chinese philosopher Confucius (551 BC – 479 BC). This Golden Rule has two versions. One is the positive version, and the other is the negative version. The positive version of the Golden Rule states, "Do unto others what you would want others to do unto you." The negative version states, "Do not do unto others what you do not want others to do unto you." The positive version stresses what a compassionate person should do, and the negative version emphasizes the actions one should avoid. Valluvar has a simple and elegant form of the negative version of the Golden Rule, which can guide what actions should be avoided. So, according to Valluvar, anything that one has realized as causing pain to oneself should not be inflicted on others.

32.2 Nonviolence

 32.2 Nonviolence 

Question:

How to handle others' violence towards us? 

Answer:

The best punishment for those who do evil to you is to shame them by returning good for evil and after doing good in return, forget the evil that was done to you as well as the good deed you did.                                                                                     (Couplet – 314)

இன்னாசெய் தாரை ஒறுத்தல் அவர்நாண

நன்னயஞ் செய்து விடல்.                                                             (குறள் – 314) 

Explanation:

Valluvar has a profound idea about what to do with those who harm us. He says that if someone has harmed you or hurt you somehow or the other, then the best thing to do is to return good for evil. That is, do something good for someone who did evil so that he will be vexed at his own actions.

Doing good in return for evil is very difficult for most people. If someone does good in return for evil and continues to harp on the evil deed that was done to him and the good deed he did, then the person who did the evil deed might feel humiliated, and the purpose of doing the good deed will be lost. That is why Valluvar says that the evil deed and the good deed must be forgotten.

Valluvar's idea that evil deeds should be reciprocated with good deeds is somewhat similar to the statement in the Bible which says, "You resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite you on your right cheek, turn to him the other (King James 2000 Bible, Luke 6:29)." The dictum in Couplet 314 is far more profound than the statement from the Bible or the Golden Rule of Confucius. Therefore, it is apt to refer to Couplet 314 as the Platinum Rule of Valluvar.

Valluvar's ideas on nonviolence have impressed people like the famous Russian novelist Leo Tolstoy and Mahatma Gandhi. Mahatma Gandhi adopted the principle of nonviolence and applied it to obtain India's independence from British rule. Later, Rev. Martin Luther King adopted the idea of nonviolence to obtain civil rights for African Americans in the USA, and Nelson Mandela used nonviolent protests to abolish apartheid in South Africa and establish a democratic government in that country. So, Valluvar's idea of nonviolence has historical significance. 

32.3 Nonviolence

 32.3 Nonviolence

Question:

Is there an example of doing good for evil? 

Answer:

It is a lofty notion to do good to those who have done evil to us. An incident in Gandhiji's life is an excellent example of doing good for evil. During Gandhiji's struggle for the rights of South African Indians, General Smuts was in power in South Africa. He imprisoned Gandhiji several times. While in prison, Gandhiji made a pair of sandals with his own hands for General Smuts. Before Gandhiji left South Africa, he presented the pair of sandals to General Smuts. A few years later, General Smuts returned the pair of sandals to Gandhiji. He also sent a letter along with the pair of sandals. The letter said, "I used the pair of sandals you gave me for a few years. The thought that I was not qualified to wear them always haunted me. So, I am sending them back to you. " The pair of sandals returned by General Smuts is now in the Gandhi Museum in Mumbai. Like Gandhiji, not everyone can do good to those who have done evil. But the lesson we must learn is that it should be our goal to do so.

31.1 Anger

 31.1 Anger 

Question:

What is anger? Is it acceptable to get angry at someone? 

Answer:

He who controls his anger where he can afford to be angry is the one who really controls his anger. What difference does it make if one does not control one's anger where one cannot afford to be angry?                                                                                                                                   (Kural – 301) 

Anger is destructive in situations where one cannot afford to be angry.

There is nothing worse than that, even where one can afford to be angry.             (kural – 302) 

Only evil consequences arise out of anger. Therefore, forget about

getting angry at anyone.                                                                                                     (kural – 303)

 

செல்லிடத்துக் காப்பான் சினங்காப்பான் அல்லிடத்துக்

காக்கின்என் காவாக்கால் என்?                                                                                            (குறள் – 301) 

செல்லா இடத்துச் சினந்தீது செல்லிடத்தும்

இல்அதனின் தீய பிற.                                                                                                                (குறள் – 302) 

மறத்தல் வெகுளியை யார்மாட்டும் தீய

பிறத்தல் அதனான் வரும்.                                                                                                         (குறள் – 303) 

Explanation:

Anger is a common emotion. According to psychologists, "Anger is a strong emotion often caused by some form of wrong-doing, ill-treatment, or unfairness. We experience the feeling of anger when we think we have been mistreated or when we are faced with problems that keep us from getting what we want or attaining our personal goals. Everyone experiences anger, some more often than others." Researchers have observed that an average adult experiences anger about once a day and becomes annoyed or peeved about three times a day. Although anger is a common emotion experienced almost daily by almost everyone, depending upon the intensity and the frequency of experiencing anger, it affects our mental and physical health and our ability to have positive social interactions with others. It also affects our personal, family, and professional lives. 

Valluvar has several interesting and profound observations regarding anger and its impact on human beings. There are occasions where one can afford to express one's anger. Although the child psychologists may disagree, it is not unusual for the parents to express their anger at their children when they misbehave. Invariably, the children tolerate the parents' anger or occasionally react with their own anger. In any case, the parents can and do express their anger at their children. On the other hand, it is unusual for an employee to express his anger towards his superiors. If he does so, he will be subjected to punishments. So, there are occasions when one can afford to express one's anger without severe consequences, and there are occasions when one cannot afford to do so. 

Valluvar says if one is trying to control one's anger, one should do so in situations when one can afford to be angry. For example, if a parent tries to control their anger, they should restrain from getting angry at their child. In general, it is better to control one's anger in all situations. The Greek philosopher Plato is said to have mentioned that there are two things a person should never be angry at, what they can help, and what they cannot. In other words, anger should be completely avoided in all situations.

 

31.2 Anger

 31.2 Anger

Question:

What are the consequences of anger? 

Answer:

He who considers anger an important quality to have is sure to hurt

himself like the one who slaps the ground with his hand.                               (kural – 307) 

Is there anything else that destroys laughter and joy like anger?                   (kural - 304) 

Anger destroys the one who gets angry and one's kith and kin who

support him like a lifeboat.                                                                                     (kural – 306) 

If you want to protect yourself, guard against your anger. If you do

not control your anger, your anger will kill you.                                                 (kural – 305)

 

சினத்தைப் பொருளென்று கொண்டவன் கேடு

நிலத்தறைந்தான் கைபிழையா தற்று.                                                                     (குறள் – 307) 

நகையும் உவகையும் கொல்லும் சினத்தின்

பகையும் உளவோ பிற.                                                                                                  (குறள் – 304) 

சினமென்னும் சேர்ந்தாரைக் கொல்லி இனமென்னும்

ஏமப் புணையைச் சுடும்.                                                                                                 (குறள் – 306) 

தன்னைத்தான் காக்கின் சினங்காக்க காவாக்கால்

தன்னையே கொல்லுஞ் சினம்.                                                                                        (குறள் – 305)

 

Explanation:

The American poet and philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson is quoted as saying, "For every minute you remain angry, you give up sixty seconds of peace of mind." Undoubtedly, the loss of peace of mind leads to restlessness and unhappiness. Anger and happiness are diametrically opposite of each other. One does not coexist with the other. Valluvar is convinced that anger destroys laughter and joy, and thereby the angry person hurts himself like the one who slaps the ground with his hand and inflicts pain on oneself (Couplet – 307). Also, Valluvar believes that nothing else destroys the laughter of an individual like his own anger (Couplet – 304). The angry person hurts himself by destroying his own happiness and hurts others at whom his anger is aimed. Because of his anger, his relationship with his kith and kin who support him will also be affected. In turn, they might also become angry and suffer the consequences of their anger(Couplet – 306).

 

In addition to destroying one's peace of mind, laughter, and happiness, anger also causes several catastrophic consequences for those who are in the habit of frequently becoming angry. Medical practitioners and psychologists believe that anger increases stress levels and blood pressure. Researchers have observed that there is a three times higher risk of having a stroke from a blood clot to the brain or bleeding within the brain during two hours after an angry outburst. For people with an aneurism in one of the brain arteries, there is a six times higher risk of rupturing this aneurism following an angry outburst. Due to anger, there could be additional consequences such as sleep disorders, anxiety disorder, depression, respiratory problems, weakened immune system, and even heart attack. All these consequences arising from various levels of anger tend to reduce the life span of the angry individuals. Valluvar would have had no way of knowing all these complications arising from anger. But he was sure that those who exhibit angry behavior are likely to die because of their anger (couplet – 305).