Tirukkural-On Virtue-Family Life-Kural 45

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Anbum aranum udaithaayin ilvalkkai
Panbum payanum adhu.

Family life actuated by love and virtue,
Endows it with character and happiness.

Love here refers to the householder's attitude to the wife and children, and virtue to his dealing with the various sections of people, referred to by the poet in the earlier Kurals. The virtue in this respect, fundamentally arises out of the 'Paziyangi paathundal' concept of Kural 44. with love and virtue as cornerstones of domestic life, its character and purpose are assured.

In this couplet, love and virtue are directly balanced against character and life's purpose, each to each. In fact, the word 'payan' to my mind, could imply along with all that is good in this life eternal reward also, which could ultimately be considered the purpose of life.

The following lines from Sangam literature are relevant to this and to the following two Kurals:

Anbilan aranilan yenapadaan
(Kalithogai)

Payanum panbum paadari tholukalum
(Natrinai-160.2)

Aranthalai piriyaa tholukalum
(Aham-173.1)

Aranari pilaiyaathaatrin oluki
(Madhuraikanchi-500)