Thirukkural-On Virtue-True Knowledge-Kural 356

True Knowledge

oi-Priya Devi

By Priya Devi

Monday, March 22, 2010, 17:16

Katreenndu meypporul kandaar thalaippaduvar
Matreendu vaaraa neri.

Those who have assiduously learnt to realize the truth,
Are well on the way to release from births.

Realization of Truth automatically leads to release from births. This interpretation is confirmed by the following passage of Araneri:

Arivir arivaava thenin marupirapu
matreendu vaara neri (Araneri-125)

The explanation given by Parimelalagar of the first line of the Kural, is worth recording, because it conjures up before the mind"s eye, a picture similar to those bands of Greek inquirers after truth, who learnt at the feet of Socrates. He refers to:

'those who have listened to the lessons on
truth, before men of ripe wisdom and rare
experience, and thus realized what Truth is"

Such persons could certainly be called 'katreenndu meypporul kandaar'

This and the two kurals following, teach the three-fold paths, of 'listening", 'thinking with testing" and finally 'contemplation" laid down for realizing Godhead.

We talk so much about the scientific method these days; this was already appreciated and used in the old days but it was directed towards philosophical and religious goals normally. In the case of Valluvar, it was the universal religion of reaching Godhead through rational channels.