61 பெறுமவற்றுள் யாமறிவ தில்லை அறிவறிந்த
மக்கட்பே றல்ல பிறTranslation:
Of all that men acquire, we know not any greater gain,
Than that which by the birth of learned Children men obtain.
Among all the benefits that may be acquired, we know no greater benefit than the acquisition of intelligent children.
Meaning:
Other than having children who are wise enough to know what needs to be known, there is no other treasure that I value more.62 எழுபிறப்பும் தீயவை தீண்டா பழிபிறங்காப்
பண்புடை மக்கட் பெறின்Translation:
Who children gain, that none reproach, of virtuous worth,
No evils touch them, through the sev'n-fold maze of birth.
The evils of the seven births shall not touch those who obtain children of a good disposition, free from vice.
Meaning:
No harm will befell one for even seven births, if one gives birth to children who have irreproachable character.63 தம்பொருள் என்பதம் மக்கள் அவர்பொருள்
தந்தம் வினையான் வரும்Translation:
'Man's children are his fortune,' say the wise;
From each one's deeds his varied fortunes rise.
Men will call their sons their wealth, because it flows to them through the deeds which they (sons) perform on their behalf.
Meaning:
One’s children are defined as one’s wealth; the wealth that the children make will be through their own deeds.
64 அமிழ்தினும் ஆற்ற இனிதேதம் மக்கள்
சிறுகை அளாவிய கூழ்Translation:
Than God's ambrosia sweeter far the food before men laid,
In which the little hands of children of their own have play'd.
The rice in which the little hand of their children has dabbled will be far sweeter (to the parent) than ambrosia.
Meaning:
The porridge stirred playfully with the tiny hands of one’s children is sweeter than nectar.
65 மக்கள்மெய் தீண்டல் உடற்கின்பம் மற்றவர்
சொற்கேட்டல் இன்பம் செவிக்குTranslation:
To patent sweet the touch of children dear;
Their voice is sweetest music to his ear.
The touch of children gives pleasure to the body, and the hearing of their words, pleasure to the ear.
Meaning:
The tender skin of one’s children is joyous to touch; their sweet voices rapturous to hear.
66 குழலினி தியாழினி தென்பதம் மக்கள்
மழலைச்சொல் கேளா தவர்Translation:
'The pipe is sweet,' 'the lute is sweet,' by them't will be averred,
Who music of their infants' lisping lips have never heard.
"The pipe is sweet, the lute is sweet," say those who have not heard the prattle of their own children.
Meaning:
Only those who don’t listen to their baby’s sweet babble will claim that a flute or yaazh sounds melodious.
67 தந்தை மகற்காற்றும் நன்றி அவையத்து
முந்தி இருப்பச் செயல்Translation:
Sire greatest boon on son confers, who makes him meet,
In councils of the wise to fill the highest seat.
The benefit which a Father should confer on his son is to give him precedence in the assembly of the learned.
Meaning:
The duty of a father towards his children is to give them a headstart in knowledge over the best of scholars.
68 தம்மின்தம் மக்கள் அறிவுடைமை மாநிலத்து
மன்னுயிர்க் கெல்லாம் இனிதுTranslation:
Their children's wisdom greater than their own confessed,
Through the wide world is sweet to every human breast.
That their children should possess knowledge is more pleasing to all men of this great earth than to themselves.
Meaning:
All living creatures on this earth feel prouder when their children are smarter than themselves.
69 ஈன்ற பொழுதின் பெரிதுவக்கும் தன்மகனைச்
சான்றோன் எனக்கேட்ட தாய்Translation:
When mother hears him named 'fulfill'd of wisdom's lore,'
Far greater joy she feels, than when her son she bore.
The mother who hears her son called "a wise man" will rejoice more than she did at his birth.
Meaning:
A mother feels more ecstatic to hear her son being praised as a noble scholar than when the son was born.
70 மகன் தந்தைக் காற்றும் உதவி இவன்தந்தை
என்நோற்றான் கொல்லெனும் சொல்Translation:
To sire, what best requital can by grateful child be done?
To make men say, 'What merit gained the father such a son?'
(So to act) that it may be said "by what great penance did his father beget him," is the benefit which a son should render to his father.
Meaning:
The duty of a son towards his father is to make others wonder what great deeds did the father do to deserve such a son.
This post first appeared on Thirukural (Couplets) - A Tamil Classic Literacy, please read the originial post: here
