Thirukkural-On Virtue-Impermanence Of The World-Kural 335

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Long before the tongue fails and the last hiccup comes up,It is wise to go for good deeds, without delay.

This translation is based on Manakudavar's. Parimelalagar would interpret 'Nalvinai' as virtues leading to release from birth. A wise man, therefore, will do good deeds at every opportunity instead of putting it off, lest it should become too late for any such activity, with failing tongue and hiccups.

I have referred to this Kural in my commentary on Kural 36 of chapter 4, quoting 'Naaladiar' and 'Silapathikarm' making also a brief reference to the 'Vilambalam' story of 'Jeevaka Chinthamani' which I have put down in full below.

A man who had not done his good deeds in time, was at his death bed. He felt remorse then and wanted to do some charity. As he could not speak, he indicated this to his wife with his hand, shaping it to represent a round bag. But apparently, his wife, who understood the sign well enough, pretended that he was asking for Vilambalam and said, as if in alarm, that he should surely not have Vilambalam in his current state of health. And so, the man died without doing what he intended to do.

"Kaiyaal podhithunaiyae kaatak
kayarkanaal adhanai kaataal
Aiyah vilaampazamae enkinreeir
aangatharkup paruvam anru en
Seykao enach sirandhaal poalach siravaak
katuraiyaal kuritha ellaam
Poiyae poruluraiyaa munnae
koduthundal purimin kandeer"

(Seevaka .1553)