Holy Kural with Commentary by "Phd" Siva

Parimelazhaghar's commentary in its original form: 941 மிகினும் குறையினும் நோய்செய்யும் நூலோர் வளிமுதலா எண்ணிய மூன்று. மிகினும் குறையினும் - உணவும் செயல்களும் ஒருவன் பகுதிக்கு ஒத்த அளவின் அன்றி அதனின் மிகுமாயினும் குறையுமாயினும் ; நூலோர் வளிமுதலா எண்ணிய மூன்று நோய் செய்யும் - ஆயுள்வேத முடையாரால் வாதமுதலாக எண்ணப்பட்ட மூன்று நோயும் அவருக்குத் துன்பஞ் செய்யும். விளக்கம்   (' நூலோர் எண்ணிய ' எனவே , அவர் அவ்வாற்றான் வகுத்த வாதப்பகுதி பித்தப்பகுதி ஐயப்பகுதி என்னும் பகுதிப்பாடும் பெற்றாம். அவற்றிற்கு உணவு ஒத்தலாவது சுவை வீரியங்களானும் அளவானும் பொருந்துதல். செயல்கள் ஒத்தலாவது மனமொழி மெய்களாற் செய்யும் தொழில்களை அவை வருந்துவதற்கு முன்னே ஒழிதல். இவை இரண்டும் இங்ஙனமின்றி மிகுதல் குறைதல் செய்யின் , அவை தத்தம் நிலையின் நில்லாவாய் வருத்தும் என்பதாம். காரணம் இரண்டும் அவாய்நிலையான் வந்தன. முற்று உம்மை விகாரத்தால் தொக்கது. இதனால் யாக்கைகட்கு இயல்பாகிய நோய் மூவகைத்து என்பதூஉம் , அவை துன்பஞ்செய்தற்காரணம் இருவகைத்து என்பதூஉம் கூறப்பட்டன இன்பம்

#KROM 75. "Proper Behavior is the Highest Learning!" Those who learnt many kinds yet unable to put them in practice by their appropriate, exemplary behavior are still deemed to be unwise. உலகத்தோடு ஒட்ட ஒழுகல் பலகற்றும் கல்லார் அறிவு இலாதார்.  140 ulagatthODu oTTa ozhugal palakaRRum kallaar aRivu ilaadhaar. Here the reference to the "conduct according to the 'world'" implies exemplary, universal conduct, suitable according to the differing temperaments. The temperaments of people are primarily classified as thought-oriented, feeling-oriented, and energy-oriented. One who has mastery in natural behavior will be able to appropriately act, from his center, according to the people who exhibit different combinations of the above orientations. Sri Parimel Azhagar says, "The result of learning is intelligence and good behavior is the sign of intelligence. The best conduct is to live in complete harmony with the Nature!" --- #108GURU 41. ॐ  सु

#KROM 74. "Who is a Balanced Person?" A person with equanimity responds to different kinds of people by adapting suitable styles while maintaining his inner consistency. தகுதி என ஒன்று நன்றே பகுதியால் பாற்பட்டு ஒழுகப் பெறின்.  111 thagudhi ena onRu nanRE pagudhiyaal paaRpaTTu ozhugap peRin. ஸமபா4வ் மெனெத்தெ  சொக்கட்கு3ண்ணு  ஒண்டேஸ்பு2ரொ  ஸுபா4வ்தா4னுக் பொள்க3த்த களையத்.   (thagudhi = equanimity; pagudhi => prakruti = nature, characteristics) At one end, applying the same mode of behavior to all, as one believes inside, leads to rigidity. This kind of people either will impose on others by force if they can wield or will be ignored as irrelevant. At the other end, adjusting to the people according to their temperament without one's inner integrity will lead to despicable opportunistic behavior! Sri Valluvar lays down carefully here the "balanced" definition of encouraging outer adaptation while expecting integrity. --- #108GURU 40. ॐ समभाव स्

#KROM 73. "The Great Achievers!" Great are those who perform deeds that are most difficult to accomplish. Rest toil in mundane activities, unable to achieve lofty purpose. செயற்கரிய செய்வார் பெரியர் சிறியர் செயற்கரிய செய்கலாதார்.  26 seyaRkariya seyvaar periyar siRiyar seyaRkariya seykalaadhaar. Out of all human achievements, the most difficult accomplishment is to realize oneself and the greatest help one can offer to another human being is to help him realize himself! All other achievements, however esteemed they may be in the objective standards, are still limited by time, space, or form. --- #108GURU 39. ॐ आत्मज्ञान प्रदायक श्री सत्गुरवे नमः ஓம் ஆத்மஞான ப்ரதா3யக ஸ்ரீ ஸத்கு3ரவே  நம: #KURAL 26 Recently Occurred in Mind --- #PHD (D.l. Sivakumar​) Jai Gurudev! AUM! http://kromphd.blogspot.com (in English) http://soukromphd.blogspot.com (in Sourashtra)

#KROM 72. "The Top Most Activity Universally!" Sharing the food (and earnings) with others and protecting the lives of all forms are declared, by the scriptures of various lands, as the most noblest of all activities. பகுத்து உண்டு பல்உயிர் ஓம்புதல் நூலோர் தொகுத்தவற்றுள் எல்லாம் தலை.  322 pagutthu uNDu pal uyir Ombuthal nUlOr thogutthavaRRuL ellaam thalai. In this Kural, Sri Valluvar gives a comprehensive advice and also states it in a positive manner under the chapter of "Non-Killing." When a person feeds and nourishes a life-form, he will automatically abstain from doing any harm to that life-form let alone killing it! --- #108GURU 38. ॐ सकलजीव पोषक अन्नदात्रे नमः ஓம் ஸகலஜீவ போஷக அன்னதா3த்ரே நம: #KURAL 322 Recently Occurred in Mind --- #PHD (D.l. Sivakumar​) Jai Gurudev! AUM! http://kromphd.blogspot.com (in English) http://soukromphd.blogspot.com (in Sourashtra)

#KROM 71. "Help of a Wealthy Great Soul - Gold Medal!" Wealth of a great soul will help others like an unfailing medicinal herb. மருந்தாகித் தப்பா மரத்தற்றால் செல்வம் பெருந் தகையான்கண் படின்.  217 marundhaagith thappaa maratthaRRaal selvam perun thagaiyaankaN paDin. In this final Kural of the trio, the focus is on the "soul" ("Guru") quality of the giver. The soul quality is chiefly composed of all-encompassing qualities of wisdom, love, service, and bliss and can expand in these aspects infinitely without any limit. The medicinal herbs, cited in the simile, typically grow in wild terrains with less or no care offered in their growth. Also, commonly, all parts of the bush (branches, leaves, fruit, etc.) have medicinal value and are used in making different forms of medicines. While taking less or nothing from its surroundings in the form of care or maintenance, the unfailing life-giving herb exemplifies the ultimate act of "self-offering&

#KROM 70. "Help Offered By An Efficient Giver - A Silver Medal!" Wealth possessed by a noble, efficient person will be as beneficial to others like a bounteous fruit-bearing tree, at a townsquare, for its citizens. பயன்மரம் உள்ளூர்ப் பழுத்தற்றால் செல்வம் நயன் உடையான்கண் படின்.  216 payanmaram uLLUrp pazhutthaRRaal selvam nayan uDaiyaankaN paDin. The focus is on the "energy" ("mother") aspect of the giver, in this second Kural of the trio. The fruit-bearing tree, mentioned in the simile, exhibits its efficiency and usefulness in converting less-accessible forms of energy (sunlight, water, nutrients, etc.) into a more readily usable form of energy (food). In the act of giving, the tree sheds part of its body as fruit while, thankfully, possessing the regenerative ability for its prolonged use with periodic yields. Although not a must, a certain amount of care and maintenance help the tree to function at its best efficiency. In contrast with ot

#KROM 69. "Help of A Broadminded Soul - A Bronze Medal!" A broadminded, high-thinking person using his wealth willingly for the betterment of the world is like a pond full of water serving the needs of its surroundings! ஊருணி நீர் நிறைந்தற்றே உலகு அவாம் பேரறிவாளன் திரு.  215 UruNi neer niRaindhaRRE ulagu avaam pEraRivaaLan thiru. (UruNi = pond; avaam = willingly; thiru = wealth) In a set of three Kurals, Sri Valluvar has given three wonderful similes to illustrate the help offered by philanthropists of different characteristics. All three extol the use and greatness of the giver while attributing different shades ("good-better-best") based on the relative degree of their involvement and sacrifice in the act of giving. The first of the trio focuses on the "intelligence" ("father") aspect of the giver. Correspondingly, the use of pond in the metaphor indicates the rating of "good" for the giver's involvement and sacrifi

#KROM 68. "Dead While Living vs. True Living!" One who help others by understanding their (common) need is truly living; the other indifferent one is considered dead while living! ஒத்தது அறிவான் உயிர் வாழ்வான் மற்றையான் செத்தாருள் வைக்கப் படும்.  214 otthadhu aRivaan uyir vaazhvaan maRRaiyaan setthaaruL vaikkap paDum. (otthadhu = similar or common) In this Kural, Sri Valluvar reiterates the importance of proactively helping others which is essential for living. In life, unless one progresses upward, by default, he is on the downward mode only. One cannot remain neutral or indifferent, which will sooner or later become a negative state. Here, Sri Valluvar also gives a hint by mentioning "similar or common" aspect that the needs of all human beings have the same essence, i.e., increase happiness; decrease pain ("sukha pravrutti; dukha nivrutti"). --- #108GURU 34. ॐ सर्वजन जीवन परोपकाराय नमः ஓம் ஸர்வஜன ஜீவன பரோபகாராய நம: #KURAL 214 Recently

#KROM 67. "How to Become Prosperous?" A crow does not hide, when it finds its feed; instead calls its kind to share and feeds together. Those who do likewise (sharing their wealth with others without shielding it), will find their prosperity continue to grow! காக்கை கரவா கரைந்து உண்ணும் ஆக்கமும் அன்ன நீரார்க்கே உள.  527 kaakkai karavaa karaindhu uNNum aakkamum anna nIraarkkE uLa. It is a good thing that many work hard for their family but, after a certain point, if they are afflicted by the syndrome of "Us Four No More!," their growth will invariably hit a plateau. Here, the secret of continued success is spelled out. In a feast, when you call for food for the person sitting next to you, your empty plate will also get served along with. Similarly, the best way to develop one's prosperity is to include others' welfare in it. --- #108GURU 33. ॐ सकल ऐश्वर्य सम्पद् प्रतिभागाय नमः ஓம் ஸகல ஐச்வர்ய ஸம்பத்3 பிரதிபா4கா3ய நம: #KURAL 527 Recently Occurr

#KROM 66. "Evil of Glutting!" Without properly sensing one's digestive capacity, feeding on large quantity gluttonously will develop innumerable diseases! தீ அளவன்றித் தெரியான் பெரிது உண்ணின் நோய் அளவின்றிப் படும்.  947 thee aLavanRith theriyaan peridhu uNNin nOi aLavinRip paDum. [thee ~ (digestive) fire] Continuing the dynamics of how to feed oneself, Sri Valluvar advises to develop the sense for one's digestive fire and its capacity. There is no "one size fits all". Depending on the physical constitution and the nature of work, the intake varies from person to person. The Mother Nature ingeniously distributes the resources to the need by appropriate matching. Likewise It expects human-beings, armed with intelligence, to act accordingly. There is only so much one must feed as his capacity permits, regardless of his affordability. Otherwise the nature automatically balances out the extra energy in the form of disease. --- #108GURU 32. ॐ दीप्ता

#KROM 65. "Medicine-Free Living!" No need for medicines, if you eat after making sure that the previously taken food is properly digested! மருந்து என வேண்டாவாம் யாக்கைக்கு அருந்தியது அற்றது போற்றி உணின்.  942 marundhu ena vENDaavaam yaakkaikku arundhiyadhu aRRadhu poRRi uNin. (yaakkai =  body ) Sri Valluvar describes here the dynamics of feeding oneself. One should eat only as much as he can digest! If you feed more than you can digest, even when you can afford, the food energy will end up dissipating in the form of disease. Instead, consistent with the "energy economics" theme we saw before, feeding other needy persons would be the proper investment one can make! Sri Parimel Azhagar in his "encyclopedic" Kural commentary (circa 10 - 12th century), provides a gist of ancient Ayurvedic texts{1} throughout this entire chapter (95. மருந்து). In this Kural, he mentions the following indications on how to know the previously taken food has digest

#KROM 64. "Rain's Vital Benefit to the World!" O Rain, you become relishable food for those hunger-bound humans and higher life-forms who cannot survive without consuming it, in addition to being the life-giving water for the consumption of all life-forms! துப்பார்க்குத் துப்பு ஆய துப்பாக்கித் துப்பார்க்குத் துப்பு ஆயதூஉம் மழை. 12 thuppaarkkuth thuppu aaya thuppaakkith thupparkkuth thuppu aayathUum mazhai. (thuppu =  enjoyment; object of enjoyment; food  ) Sri Valluvar uses a "tongue-twister" figure of speech for describing the glory of rain in giving the vitality to the world. Hunger is a key aspect in the functioning of the world. It creates the need for food and the rain helps to fulfill the need, however, the fulfillment requires life-forms to exert effort on their part. Saint Vallalar echoes this Kural beautifully by praising the Lord for becoming the relishable healthy food in order to appease hunger in this world ("இப்பாரில் பசிக்கே தந்த

#KROM 63. "The Safest Money Deposit!" The safest deposit one can invest his earned wealth is to feed the needy who are in the grip of emaciating hunger! அற்றார் அழிபசி தீர்த்தல் அஃது ஒருவன் பெற்றான் பொருள் வைப்புழி. 226 aRRaar azhipasi theertthal akhdhu oruvan peRRaan poruL vaippuzhi. (vaippuzhi = safety locker) Wealth, a form of energy, is not immediately perishable, but cannot benefit the earner beyond a life-time; Whereas food, another form of energy, is quickly perishable, but can last beyond a life-time as good karma resulting from saving the highly-evolved life forms from deterioration. As we saw before, the karma never expires until it yields its results. Here, Sri Valluvar connects these two opposite ends of the "energy economics" spectrum, by advising to convert one form of seemingly non-perishable, yet limited-use wealth to another form which is perishable, yet bestows never-expiring benefit. --- #108GURU 29. ॐ क्षुध्रोग निवारण अक्षय पदुमनिद

#KROM 62. "Conquering Hunger is a Great Achievement!" Powerful are those who conquer their hunger, by meditation; even greater are those who eradicate hunger of others, by feeding them! ஆற்றுவார் ஆற்றல் பசியாற்றல் அப்பசியை மாற்றுவார் ஆற்றலின் பின். 225 aaRRuvaar aaRRal pasiyaaRRal appasiyai maaRRuvaar aaRRalin pin. In this Kural, Sri Valluvar mentions about an uncommon technique of transmuting life-force (praaNic energy) to conquer hunger. There are documented evidence of yogis{1} and even Christian saints {2} who lived by Universal Life-Energy (or God's Light) in place of food{3}. Although Sri Valluvar notes this as a great achievement, knowing the rarity of this feat, he pragmatically praises the act of feeding the poor as still greater achievement. Eradicating hunger is the best use the rich people can do by deploying their accumulated wealth, which is nothing but a form of potential energy. --- {1}- http://www.crystalclarity.com/yogananda/chap46.php (Sai

#KROM 61. "Breathlessness is Deathlessness!" Even the death can be conquered by those who intensely perform meditation, under proper guidance! கூற்றம் குதித்தலும் கைகூடும் நோற்றலின் ஆற்றல் தலைப் பட்டவர்க்கு. 269 kURRam kudhitthalum kaikUDum nORRalin aaRRal thalaip paTTavarkku. Breathlessness is deathlessness! Breath is the cord that ties the soul to the body. It is proven via scientific research, the faster the rate of breathing of a life form and the shorter its longevity and the slower the breathing rate, the longer the longevity. One who achieves stillness in breath by mastering through genuine meditation techniques can overcome the death. Two passages from the Christian Bible closely relates to this concept: {1} Be still, and know that I am God. {2} So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where

#KROM 60. "Immediate Execution of Karma!" Even if it is for a split moment, withstanding the wrath (power) of the realized saints of high caliber is extremely difficult! குணம் என்னும் குன்றேறி நின்றார் வெகுளி கணம் ஏயும் காத்தல் அரிது. 29 guNam ennum kunRu ERi ninRaar veguLi gaNamEyum kaatthal aridhu. It is quite rare to provoke a truly realized soul. However, if any misadventure ends up provoking such a saint, the execution of the karmic justice is immediate. The following story about Swami Trailanga of Benaras, from "Autobiography of a Yogi" by Sri Paramhansa Yogananda, illustrates this point: --- In spite of his round face and huge, barrel-like stomach, Swami Trailanga ate only occasionally. After weeks without food, he would break his fast with potfuls of clabbered milk {Butter milk} offered to him by devotees. A skeptic once determined to expose Trailanga as a charlatan. A large bucket of calcium-lime mixture, used in whitewashing walls, was placed

#KROM 59. "Yoga Technique for Sense-Control!" An adept who can control his (unruly elephants-like) five senses by using the "goad" of strongly magnetized energy flow will plant a seed for himself to be born in a world that is most elevated and sought after! உரன் என்னும் தோட்டியான் ஓர் ஐந்தும் காப்பான் வரன் என்னும் வைப்பிற்கு ஓர் வித்து. 24 uran ennum thOTTiyaan Or aindhum kaapaan varan ennum vaippiRku Or vittu. (uran = strong; thOTTi = anukusha = goad, elephant hook; varan = most elevated, desirable; vaippu = land) The master yogi Sri Valluvar encoded a yoga technique, in this Kural, for performing sense-control by using certain keywords (thoTTi, uran) . The shape of "goad" (elephant hook) resembles closely to the energy flow from spine to the spiritual eye - See the picture. Many advanced yoga techniques (1) follow this method of withdrawing the downward energy flow outgoing through senses into the spine and reverse it to flow upward. This is

#KROM 58. "Security is Primarily Internal!" What a well-guarded shelter would do (to a porous, disloyal heart)?  Only the self-protection that stems from consummate integrity of women is the foremost security! சிறை காக்கும் காப்பு  எவன்செய்யும் மகளிர் நிறை காக்கும் காப்பே தலை. 57 siRai kaakkum kaappu evan seiyyum magaLir niRai kaakkum kaappE thalai. Culturing of internal consciousness was given utmost importance by Sri Valluvar throughout in his entire Book of Kural and the external factors were assigned secondary or no importance. Being completely satisfied does not imply complacency here instead it places oneself in the path of excellence by competing against oneself to do better than before, instead of against others. The Perfection can only be sought inside, not externally. #108GURU 24. ॐ हेयोपादेय वर्जित सम्पूर्ण हृदयाय नमः ஓம்  ஹேயோபாதே3ய வர்ஜித சம்பூர்ண ஹ்ருத3யாய நம: #KURAL 57 Recently Occurred in Mind --- #PHD Jai Gurudev! AUM! http://kromphd.blogs

#KROM 57. "Love is a Prerequisite for Service!" What use is there if one wields all kinds of authority and power outside but devoid of love inside! புறத்து உறுப்பு எல்லாம் எவன்செய்யும் யாக்கை அகத்து உறுப்பு அன்பு இல் அவர்க்கு.  79 puRatthu uRuppu ellaam evan seiyyum yaakkai agatthu uRuppu anbu il avarkku. Many desire to become famous by offering their energy to the needy. It is a good thing! However, Sri Valluvar says that it is essential to have genuine love inside first. The trio: Love, Wisdom, and Energy must be balanced in order to have them expand perpetually. In this trio, the love and the wisdom one can strive to develop, however the energy is given based on the capacity one develops on the first two. If one does not have the love, the spent energy diminishes away without getting replenished and the unused energy is "spent" somehow by illness, financial loss, mental inharmony, etc, #108GURU 23. ॐ स्वान्त प्रेमावताराय नमः ஓம் ஸ்வாந்த ப்ரேமாவதாராய

#KROM 56. "Do No Evil if You Love Yourself !" One who is a lover of one's own (true) self, should not undertake any evil action! தன்னைத்தான் காதலன் ஆயின் எனைத்து ஒன்றும் துன்னற்க தீவினைப் பால்.  209 thannait thaan kaadhalan aayin enaitthu onRum thunnaRka theevinaip paal. (thunnutal = undertake, perform) An evil action is not something determined by some authority arbitrarily! An action is immediately determined as good or bad in the consciousness whether one is aware of it or not. Any evil action, which is nothing but an erroneous action, takes the performer's consciousness away from the balanced state (the natural state of the soul). Once moved away from the center, the consciousness must return back by the corresponding compensatory good action. In this KuRaL, Sri Valluvar advises to abstain from evil to begin with so that the energy can be conserved for expansive action. #108GURU 22. ॐ दुष्कर्म रहित स्वात्मप्रेम्याय नमः ஓம் துஷ்கர்ம ரஹித ஸ்வாத்மப்ரே

#KROM 55. "Aspiration and Integrity - Recipe for Greatness!" Be loyal to your own (higher) self in a manner women with integrity conduct themselves. This is the way to attain greatness! ஒருமை மகளிரே போலப் பெருமையும் தன்னைத்தான் கொண்டு ஒழுகின் உண்டு.  974 orumai magaLirE polap perumaiyum thannaith thaan koNDu ozhugin uNDu. Sri Valluvar emphasizes the principle of "inside out" here as he has done elsewhere. In order to achieve greatness, which is outwardly recognizable, one must possess the characteristics of a chaste woman, who is a symbol of inner strength. In addition, he also recommends an organic, holistic, continuous development to improve oneself by aspiring for the best one can achieve.     #108GURU 21. ॐ महिळभाव एकाग्रपूर्णचित्त स्वात्मानन्द महिमाय  नमः ஓம் மஹிளபா4வ ஏகாக்3ரபூர்ணசித்த ஸ்வாத்மானந்த3 மஹிமாய நம: #KURAL 974 Recently Occurred in Mind --- #PHD Jai Gurudev! AUM! http://kromphd.blogspot.com (in English) http://soukromphd.blogspot.

#KROM 54. "Talk Straight with No Hidden Agenda!" It is better if one can talk straight without convolution and is still better and balanced if there is no trace of conflict of interest inside. சொற்கோட்டம் இல்லது செப்பம் ஒருதலையா உட்கோட்டம் இன்மை பெறின்.  119 soRkOTTam illadhu cheppam oruthalayaa uTkOTTam inmai peRin. (kOTTam = kink; cheppam = best quality, balanced; oruthalai = certainty) If you look at any relationship issues, there will be some form of broken promise, either explicitly made or implicitly assumed, at the root of the issue. The degree of violation and the corresponding pain differ in a rather wide spectrum, from a trivial issue to a life-endangering issue. It is said that "Loyalty is the greatest virtue and betrayal is the worst sin." The saint-poet Avvaiyaar has defined chastity or loyalty as not breaking the promise ("kaRpu enappaduvadhu sol thiRambaamai")! #108GURU 20. ॐ वक्रहीन मितभाष वक्त्राय नमः ஓம் வக்ரஹீன மிதபா4ஷ வக

#KROM 53. "Loyalty is the Greatest Virtue!" There is nothing else a man would need than a virtuous woman with hard-core loyalty, as his wife. பெண்ணின் பெருந்தக்க யாவுள கற்பென்னும் திண்மை உண்டாகப் பெறின்.  54 peNNin perunthakka yaavuLa kaRpennum thiNmai uNDaagap peRin. All human beings (Jeevathmaas) are considered as "female" companions to the only "male" God (Paramaathma)*. Loyalty to the Truth (i.e., God)  is the utmost virtue every human being must cultivate and adhere to in order to attain rapid progress in spirituality. #108GURU 19. ॐ मातृका विशेष्य विश्वास सत्भावाय नमः ஓம் மாத்ருகா விசேஷ்ய விச்வாஸ ஸத்பா4வாய நம: #KURAL 54  Recently Occurred in Mind --- * -  This evening Bhaduri expounded various philosophical points connected with the life of Mirabai, a medieval Rajputani princess who abandoned her court life to seek the company of sadhus. One great-sannyasi refused to receive her because she was a woman; her reply brought him humbly

#KROM 52. "True Experience is the Antidote for Doubt!" The heaven (salvation) is nearer than the earth to an adept who becomes free from doubt based on the true experience. ஐயத்தின் நீங்கித் தெளிந்தார்க்கு வையத்தின் வானம் நணியது உடைத்து.  353 aiyatthin neengith theLindhaarkku vaiyatthin vaanam naNiyadhu uDaitthu. Doubts are of multidimensional nature. At the fundamental level, there will be lingering doubts about the nature of God, soul, relationship to the world, karma, reincarnation, etc. Different religions define these concepts using different terms by emphasizing certain aspects in them which leads to differences between them. In the initial phase, it is quite difficult for an aspirant to sort out the differences himself. However, these differences can be reconciled through the maturity one gains from his personal experience by following the true teachings of a Guru. With this mature understanding in the universality of the truth, the flashy world no longer lu

#KROM 51. "Joy Multiplies in Sharing Knowledge!" The learned get motivated to learn more when their learning results in giving joy not only to them, but also to others. தாம் இன்புறுவது உலகு இன்புறக் கண்டு காமுறுவர் கற்றறிந்தார்.  399 thaam inbuRuvathu ulagu inbuRak kaNDu kaamuRuvar kaRRaRindhaar. Learning helps to improve one's standard of living, in the near future, and leads to salvation, eventually. Moreover, while learning itself, one derives pleasure from appreciating the artistic verbal and visual expressions of the subject matter. A noteworthy, meritorious study gets duly praised and recognized everywhere. Since the knowledge is not a limited resource like material wealth, the acquisition and protection of it is less painful and does not attract intense competition and rivalry as in the latter. When others benefit from your learning, their sincere appreciations and gratitude will give you a refined joy that will fuel further quest in you for learning mor

#KROM 50. "Knowledge is Endless!" A person with professional getup who does not have acumen for learning to cover depth and breadth with a penetrating intensity is like a well-decorated clay-toy! நுண் மாண் நுழை புலம் இல்லான் எழில் நலம் மண் மாண் புனைபாவை அற்று.  407 nuN maaN nuzhai pulam illaan ezhil nalam maN maaN punaipaavai aRRu. Many hit a plateau of boredom after a comparable material success since they typically are unaware of the wide variety of subjects where they can usefully utilize their time. The knowledge is endless. One must have capability to dive deep, to a tiny particle level, and to cover breadth, as vast as the sky, with a penetrating intensity. The more one learns the more vistas open up! The great poet-saint Avvaiyaar echoes this Kural in her Vinayagar Agaval: "அணுவிற்கு அணுவாய் அப்பாலுக்கு அப்பாலாய் கணு முற்றி நின்ற கரும்புள்ளே காட்டி" There are several bodies of knowledge in the Sanatana Dharma (traditional name for Hinduism) w

#KROM 49. "Keen Listeners Only Speak Humble Words!" A person's speech will lack humility if he is not an astute listener to the fine, lofty topics! நுணங்கிய கேள்வியர் அல்லாது வணங்கிய வாயினர் ஆதல் அரிது.  419 nuNangiya kELviyar allaadhu vaNangiya vaayinar aadhal aridhu. By listening to the lofty ideals, one would automatically find himself to be infinitesimal in comparison with vastness of the ideal. Also, by nature, the hearing capability precedes the speech as a born deaf cannot speak. Similarly, without hearing proper subjects, a person's speech will lack its propriety. #108GURU 15. ॐ श्रोत्रिय विनयसम्पन्न भाषिताय नमः ஓம் ச்ரோத்ரிய விநய ஸம்பன்ன பா4ஷிதாய நம: #KURAL 419 Recently Occurred in Mind --- #PHD Jai Gurudev! AUM! http://kromphd.blogspot.com (in English) http://soukromphd.blogspot.com (in Sourashtra)

#KROM 48. "All Knowledge is Inside!" As you dig deeper (and remove the blocking crusts) in the well, the water oozes out. So does the fount of knowledge oozes out as you learn deeply (and remove the growth-blocking negative tendencies)! தொட்டனைத்து ஊறும் மணற்கேணி மாந்தர்க்கு கற்றனைத்து ஊறும் அறிவு.  396 thoTTanaitthu ooRum maNaRkENi maandharkku kaRRanaitthu ooRum aRivu. Through this beautiful analogy, Sri Valluvar figuratively conveys that the knowledge is truly inside and external aspects aid it to unfold. Here, the word "thoTTu" literally means "touching" that can be taken as either digging or removing the blocking deposits or both together, as done above. It is said, all-knowing intuitive knowledge is rooted in every heart with its circumference nowhere. It is also said, the true learning is really "unlearning" of what was learnt wrongly so that the all-knowing true nature of the soul shines forth. #108GURU 14. ॐ स्वयंप्रकाश आत्मत

#KROM 47. "Association is Stronger than Will Power!" One's intellectual attitude (or outlook) appears to be born of his mind, but, in reality, it is a result of the company he keeps! மனத்து உளது போலக் காட்டி ஒருவற்கு இனத்து உளது ஆகும் அறிவு. 454 manatthu uLadhu pOlak kaaTTi oruvaRku inatthu uLadhu aagum aRivu. As we saw earlier, the thoughts are universally not individually rooted, and so the formation of ideas follows the principle of receptivity. A set of multiple antennas collectively have a stronger receptivity of signals than an individual antenna. Similarly, depending on the company a person keeps his mental makeup is strongly influenced for better or worse. "Satsanga" (Association of the holy whose focus is on the Truth, i.e.,God) is of paramount importance for a spiritual aspirant. Sri Sankara Bhagavadpada says "Satsanga" leads to liberation in his famous Bhaja Govindam*. #108GURU 13. ॐ मुक्तिसाधन सत्संग वर्धनाय नमः ஓம் முக்திஸாத4

#KROM 46. "Thoughts are Universal!" A wise person will comprehend the true meaning behind the ideas that he hears from others regardless of their appearance or status. எப்பொருள் யார்யார் வாய் கேட்பினும் அப்பொருள் மெய்ப்பொருள் காண்பது அறிவு. 423 epporuL yaaryaar vaaik kETpinum apporuL meipporuL kaaNbathu aRivu. It is said that "Thoughts are universally, not individually, rooted." In this Kural, Sri Valluvar notes this impersonal, universal aspect of the truth. A person of discrimination must give higher weightage to the usefulness of the idea in order to accept it or not and assign lesser importance to the external factors. In Srimad Bhagavatham, it is mentioned that Sri DattaatrEya considered 24 different things of the world as his Guru*.   #108GURU 12. ॐ सर्वगत सद्गुरुतत्वाय नमः ஓம் ஸர்வக3த ஸத்3கு3ருதத்வாய  நம: #KURAL 423 Recently Occurred in Mind ---- * -   Timeless-Story-of-Guru-Dattatreya-and-his-24-teachers-.. --- #PHD Jai Gurudev! AUM! ht