Tirukkural-On Virtue - The Glory Of Renunciation - Kural 27

Courtesy: Ramanandha Adigalar Foundation

1. Cuvaioli uooruocai naattramenru aindhin
   Vakaiterivaan Kattae ulaku.

Only the man, who has the capacity to make the right use of his five senses without letting undue desires dominate and so sublimate his enjoyment of the senses, will attain heaven on earth. And that is Valluvar"s ideal for the 'Sanron" – virtuous gentleman of his own conception.

Parimelalagar"s interpretation of this Kural is a complicated one, based on the Sankhya philosophy, which is the Science of the Sattvika, Rajasika and Tamasika gunas propounded by Kapila. The bhagvad Gita would explain 'an ordained action done without love or hatred by one not desirous of the fruits and free from attachment" is Sattvika; 'the action which is performed desiring desires, or with self-conceit and with much effort" is Rajasika; and 'the action which is undertaken through delusion without heed to consequence" is Tamasika (Gita 18, 23-25). Obviously, therefore, only a person who has Sattvikaguna will be in a position to make the right use of his senses without undue attachment to desires or fruits. He alone can live a noble life on earth. I wonder whether it is really necessary to go all that way. It is straight and simple enough to understand, that only a person who comprehends, appreciates and uses his five senses, within the prescribed limits of acknowledged righteousness, can expect to live the life of man on earth, in the Valluvar way, 'Vaazlvaangu vaazldhal" (i.e.,) only then he will become a God on earth-of Kural 50.

The following Naladiar is relevant here:

Maeivaai kanmooku seviyenap paeyarpaetra

Aivaaya Vaetkaiya Vaavinaik-Kaivaai

Kalangaamal Kaaithuiku Maattral Udaiyaan

Vilangaamal Veedu Perum.