27.1 Penance

 27.1 Penance 

Question:

What is penance? 

Answer:

Penance is enduring sufferings and not causing sufferings to others. (Couplet – 261) 

உற்றநோய் நோன்றல் உயிர்க்குஉறுகண் செய்யாமை

அற்றே தவத்திற்கு உரு.                                                                                        (குறள் – 261) 

Explanation:

According to Valluvar, penance involves enduring all sufferings and not causing sufferings to others. Generally, the term 'penance' is associated with the ascetics who strive for advancement in their spiritual pursuit. Valluvar's description of penance can also be interpreted as the dedicated pursuit of any desired goal despite all obstacles and hindrances and avoiding harm to others. 

In the chapter on Penance (Chapter 27), Valluvar mentions that the ascetics who perform penance may achieve whatever their heart's desire (Couplet 265), and they may even escape death (Couplet 269). These are exaggerated claims, and there is no evidence that any ascetic has ever achieved everything he desired or escaped death. The exaggerated claims associated with penance may be considered Valluvar's way of encouraging the ascetics to pursue their penance with sincerity, unlike some modern-day fake ascetics engaged in criminal activities.