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Showing posts from August, 2025

Moodhurai - 12th Century Didactic Poetry - Avvayar - 23

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  kaRpiLaVodu oppar kayavar kadunsinaththu poRpiLaVodu oppaarum PolvaRe-vilpidiththu neerkizhiya eyidha vaduPola maaRuMe seerozhugu saandRor sinam The anger of the common people can shatter relations like a crack in a rock, impossible to mend. However, the anger of scholars is like a crack in gold, capable of healing. Their anger will fade away like a trace of an arrow piercing a waterway.

Moodhurai - 12th Century Didactic Poetry - Avvayar - 22

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  ezhudhiyavaa RekaaN irangumada nenje karudhiyavaa RaaMo karumam-karuthipPoi kaRpagaththai SernDhorukku kaanjirangaayeenDhel muRpavathir seidha vinai You get what you deserve, o stupid soul. For those who beg to the tree of Paradise to obtain what all they desire, but only get bitter fruits due to their past life's deeds, whom to blame for that?

Moodhurai - 12th Century Didactic Poetry - Avvayar - 21

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  illaaL akaththirukka illaadhadhu ondRillai illaaLum illaaLe yaamaayin-illaaL valikidandha maatRam uraikkuMel av-il pulikidandha thooraai vidum. When your life partner shares their life with you, there is no shortage of happiness. However, living with a partner who uses abusive words towards you is like living in a jungle roamed by a tiger—it is not conducive to living.

Moodhurai - 12th Century Didactic Poetry - Avvayar - 20

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udanpirandhaar suttraththaar enRirukka VeNdaa udanpirandhe kollum viyaadhi-udanpiravaa maamalaiyil uLLa marundhe piNitheerkkum ammarundhu Polvaarum uNdu Diseases originate from within, but the mountain where the herbs that cure them grow is unrelated to the human body. Similarly, don’t be naïve to believe that only relatives are beloved and outsiders are haters.

Moodhurai - 12th Century Didactic Poetry - Avvayar - 19

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aazha amukki mugakkinum aazhkadalneer naazhi mugavaadhu naalnaazhi-Thozhi nidhiyum kaNavaNum Nerpadinum thaththam vidhiyin payaNe payan Even if you try, you can't hold the whole ocean in a mud pot. Husband, household and harmony in a woman's life will be ordained only according to her fate.

Moodhurai - 12th Century Didactic Poetry - Avvayar - 18

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seeriyar kettaalum seeriyaRe seeriyarmaR Rallaadhaar kettaalangu ennaagum-seeriya ponnin kudamudaindhal ponnaagum ennaa maNNin kudamudaindhak kaal Nobles will remain noble even when they are poor. When a golden pot breaks, its still gold. But if a mud pot breaks, it becomes dust. 

Moodhurai - 12th Century Didactic Poetry - Avvayar - 17

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attra kuLathin aRuneer paRavai Pola uRRuzhi theervaar uRavallar-akkuLaththil kottiyum aambalum neydhalum PolaVe otti yuRuvaar uRavu Unlike the birds which fly away after the pond gets dried, relations are like the flora and fish who stick in that pond all weather. Manipulators are not your well wishers.