Thirukkural-On Wealth-On Education-Kural 399

On Education

oi-Priya

By Priya Devi

Wednesday, April 25, 2012, 11:51

Thaamin puruvadhu ulahin purakkandu
Kaamuruvar katrarin dhaar

When the learned see that their learning contributes to make all the world happy,
They are pleased and pursue their learning more.

The idea here is that the learning and its consequences of good works of the truly educated as envisaged by Valluvar, not only help to make them contented and happy, but also contribute to the sum total of human happiness around. Education and its resultant deeds are one field, which does not provoke jealousy. The resultant happiness is all-embracing.

The learned men, therefore, feel that the more they learn, the more good they can do and add to the joy of the populace around, in their environment.

A famous passage from Thirumanthiram is relevant here:

“Yaam petra inbam peruga ivaiyagam"