Kural Chronicles

KURAL 6

ADHIKAARAM 1: KADAVUL VAAZHTHU – IN PRAISE OF GOD

பொறிவாயில் ஐந்தவித்தான் பொய்தீர் ஒழுக்க
நெறிநின்றார் நீடுவாழ் வார்.

Porivaayil ainthavithaan poitheer ozhukka

Nerininraar needu vaazhvaar

Stand by the  true path of discipline of God who has conquered the desires of the five senses and you will live long.

Porivaayil ainthu: the five senses attributed to the body, nose, eyes, tongue and ears;  Avithaan: destroy; poi theer: not a lie meaning the truth;  Ozhukkam: discipline;  Neri: creed or path; Ninraar: those who stand by;  Needu: long;  Vaazhvaar: will live

God is above the desires created by the five senses of touch, smell, sight, taste and hearing. He has conquered them. If you were to do the same you will live long.

By long here, I mean literally long; not in the hearts of men alone. In today’s world especially, strict discipline is absolutely necessary for life. Not just ethical and moral discipline, but physical discipline first. Let’s see how we can control the five senses; I will begin with Gandhi’s the three monkeys:

• Mouth: Speak no evil. Be careful not to hurt others or say things you may regret later. Choose your words carefully. Equally importantly watch what you eat. Taste is only as far as the tongue. So choose to eat healthy.
• Eyes: See no evil. Choose to see the good in people and circumstances.
• Ears: Hear no evil. Do not give a ear to gossip. Choose to hear things that soothe the heart and improve the mind.

The other two sensory organs are nose and body or skin. The basic idea of controlling your senses is to give less importance to material gratification of sight, smell, taste, touch and hearing; In tamil there are two terms sitrinbam and Perinbam.

Sitrinbam is the search for the surface pleasures of life. Good food, soft clothes and soft sheets, exotic smells, beautiful sights, sexual gratification etc., etc.,. These are indeed things to be experienced but you will find the pleasure is only for the moment; It is extremely short lived. To cite a very basic example, if you have a lot of time on your hands it would be an extremely pleasurable choice to lie around on a soft bed; But there will come a point of time when your body is so unhealthy that you cannot even lie down comfortably. Choose to go for a walk or exercise instead and you will find that you sleep more easily. At every point choose more lasting alternatives. It may be difficult at the time but worth the effort, always.

Perinbam is great and lasting pleasure. The kind that comes from oneness with God. The kind that comes from a clear conscience and a healthy body. The kind that comes from thoughts of God and virtue. The more you think of God and virtue, the more peace you attain. Peace and joy ensure a happy long life.

Go forth and live happily.