Kural Chronicles

KURAL 202

ARATHUPAAL

ILLARAVIYAL

ADHIKAARAM 21: THEEVINAI ACHAM – FEAR OF DOING EVIL

தீயவை தீய பயத்தலால் தீயவை
தீயினும் அஞ்சப் படும்.

Theeyavai theeya payathalaal theeyavai

Theeyinum anjap padum

Evil begets evil. So evil is to be feared more than fire itself.

Theeyavai: evil objects or deeds;  Theeya: evil;  Payathal: gives or brings about;  Thee: fire;  Anjappadum: will be feared, acham means fear.

Evil begets evil – what does it mean? When someone does an evil to you, you tend to take it out on someone and the cycle continues. Also, when you do an evil, by the law of the universe, you will get it back many fold.

Just as we would fear to touch fire, Valluvar says, ‘fear more to do evil.’ We know that fire scorches; nobody will willingly touch it. Fire is capable of destroying all in its path. However, fire has its uses too. It produces light, it gives warmth, when used in moderation. Evil though has no redeeming features – it is  just that – purely and simply evil.

Why then do we even think of doing evil! Fear evil or it will scorch your soul! I will sign off today with this dire warning.