Kural Chronicles

KURAL 267

ARATHUPAAL

THURAVARAVIYAL

ADHIKAARAM 27 : THAVAM – PENANCE

சுடச்சுடரும் பொன்போல் ஒளிவிடும் துன்பஞ்
சுடச்சுட நோற்கிற் பவர்க்கு.

Sudachudarum ponpol olividum thunbam

Sudachuda noarkir pavarkku

Like the gold that shines brighter the more it is heated, the man who bears pain in the name of penance becomes stronger and wiser.

Suda: on heating;  Sudarum: shines bright;  Pon: gold;  Pol:like;  Oli: light;  Vidum: gives;  Thunbam: pain;  Nonbu: penance

What is penance? Penance is punishment you give yourself to atone for something; or to attain something through meditation and spiritual discipline.

In days of old, sages and rishis used to deny themselves food or water and meditate on God for days and months on end, to attain spiritual power. That is called tapas or penance. We have read of so many great sages like Vashista, Viswamitra, Gowthama, Durvasa and others who had the power to bless or curse a person at will, by the strength of their penance.

In today’s world, how does it equate!  In a powerful analogy Valluvar states that if a man focusses wholly on his goal – braving any pain that he may encounter – he will come out successful; and stronger and wiser for the experience. Like gold that has been cast into the fire. However high the temperature, gold does not blacken. It loses it’s impurities and shines brighter than ever.

Shine like Pure Gold.