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Tirukkural-On Virtue-Not Coveting Another's Wife-Kural 142

By Staff

Thirukkural In English, Kural 142
arankadai ninraarul ellaam pirankadai
ninraarin paedhaiyar il.

Of all the unrighteous sinners, there is none so foolish As the one who lusts after his neighbour's wife

The translation is self-explanatory. There may be many fools of doubtful virtue in this world but the worst is he who covets another man's wife. Parimelalagar would say that these men are infatuated fools because they do not even get the joy they are looking for, on account of the persistent fear lurking in their minds. The irrational foolishness of such conduct is what is emphasised in this couplet.

The expression 'arankadai' has been used in 'Ahanaanuru' 'arankadaipadaa a Vaalkai and 'Piran kadai ninraarar'

This would indicate that the connected ideas and expressions were prevalent among the learned men of the period.

Story first published: Wednesday, March 11, 2009, 15:03 [IST]
Read more about: good conduct coveting thirukural