51 மனைத்தக்க மாண்புடையள் ஆகித்தற் கொண்டான்
வளத்தக்காள் வாழ்க்கைத் துணைTranslation:
As doth the house beseem, she shows her wifely dignity;
As doth her husband's wealth befit, she spends: help - meet is she.
She who has the excellence of home virtues, and can expend within the means of her husband, is a help in the domestic state.
Meaning:
A spouse who possesses virtues required for the family and spends within the means is the ideal life partner52 மனைமாட்சி இல்லாள்கண் இல்லாயின் வாழ்க்கை
எனைமாட்சித் தாயினும் இல்Translation:
If household excellence be wanting in the wife,
Howe'er with splendour lived, all worthless is the life.
If the wife be devoid of domestic excellence, whatever (other) greatness be possessed, the conjugal state, is nothing.
Meaning:
If your spouse doesn't possess the virtues needed for married life, whatever else you possess in life is irrelevant53 இல்லதென் இல்லவள் மாண்பானால் உள்ளதென்
இல்லவள் மாணாக் கடைTranslation:
There is no lack within the house, where wife in worth excels,
There is no luck within the house, where wife dishonoured dwells.
If his wife be eminent (in virtue), what does (that man) not possess ? If she be without excellence, what does (he) possess ?
Meaning:
If your spouse has the qualities suited for family life, what is it that you don't have? If not, what is it that you have?
54 பெண்ணின் பெருந்தக்க யாவுள கற்பென்னும்
திண்மைஉண் டாகப் பெறின்Translation:
If Woman might of chastity retain,
What choicer treasure doth the world contain?
What is more excellent than a wife, if she possess the stability of chastity ?
Meaning:
If your spouse is strongly virtuous, can there be anything worthier that your spouse?
55 தெய்வம் தொழாஅள் கொழுநற் றொழுதெழுவாள்
பெய்யெனப் பெய்யும் மழைTranslation:
No God adoring, low she bends before her lord;
Then rising, serves: the rain falls instant at her word!
If she, who does not worship God, but who rising worships her husband, say, "let it rain," it will rain.
Meaning:
Rain will pour instantly at the order of a wife who prays not to God but to her husband
56 தற்காத்துத் தற்கொண்டாற் பேணித் தகைசான்ற
சொற்காத்துச் சோர்விலாள் பெண்Translation:
Who guards herself, for husband's comfort cares, her household's fame,
In perfect wise with sleepless soul preserves, -give her a woman's name.
She is a wife who unweariedly guards herself, takes care of her husband, and preserves an
unsullied fame.
Meaning:
A woman not only protects herself, but tirelessly takes care of her husband and preserves the family reputation.
57 சிறைகாக்கும் காப்பெவன் செய்யும் மகளிர்
நிறைகாக்கும் காப்பே தலைTranslation:
Of what avail is watch and ward?
Honour's woman's safest guard.
What avails the guard of a prison ? The chief guard of a woman is her chastity.
Meaning:
Is it of any use to possess women by imposing physical barriers? A woman will remain virtuous only on her own volition.
58 பெற்றாற் பெறின்பெறுவர் பெண்டிர் பெருஞ்சிறப்புப்
புத்தேளிர் வாழும் உலகுTranslation:
If wife be wholly true to him who gained her as his bride,
Great glory gains she in the world where gods bliss abide.
If women shew reverence to their husbands, they will obtain great excellence in the world where the gods flourish.
Meaning:
If a woman gets a spouse with great character, she will enjoy the glory of heaven on earth.
59 புகழ்புரிந் தில்லிலோர்க் கில்லை இகழ்வார்முன்
ஏறுபோல் பீடு நடைTranslation:
Who have not spouses that in virtue's praise delight,
They lion-like can never walk in scorner's sight.
The man whose wife seeks not the praise (of chastity) cannot walk with lion-like stately step, before those who revile them.
Meaning:
Those who dont have respectable family lives, will not be able to stride with a lion-like pride before their opponents.
60 மங்கலம் என்ப மனைமாட்சி மற்றதன்
நன்கலம் நன்மக்கட் பேறுTranslation:
The house's 'blessing', men pronounce the house-wife excellent;
The gain of blessed children is its goodly ornament.
The excellence of a wife is the good of her husband; and good children are the jewels of that goodness.
Meaning:
A great harmonious married life is a boon; having good offsprings adds luster to it.
This post first appeared on Thirukural (Couplets) - A Tamil Classic Literacy, please read the originial post: here
