திருக்குறள் — கடவுள் வாழ்த்து — Word-by-Word Meaning
திருக்குறள் — கடவுள் வாழ்த்து
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
அகர முதல
akara mudhala
Having the letter 'A' (akaram) as its first/beginning.
எழுத்தெல்லாம்
ezhuththellām
All the letters (of the alphabet).
ஆதி பகவன்
ādhi bhagavan
The primordial God (Adi Bhagavan), the first cause.
முதற்றே உலகு
mudhaṟṟē ulagu
Is the beginning/first of the world — as 'A' is of all letters, so God is of the universe.
கற்றதனால் ஆய பயன்
kaṟṟadhanāl āya payan
The benefit gained from all that one has learned.
வாலறிவன் நற்றாள் தொழாஅர் எனின்
vālaṟivan naṟṟāḷ thozhāar enin
If one does not worship the good feet of the Pure Intelligence (the all-wise God) — what use is learning?
மலர்மிசை ஏகினான்
malarmisai ēkinān
He who walks/dwells upon the (lotus) flower — i.e. who resides in the blossomed heart of devotees.
மாணடி சேர்ந்தார்
māṇaḍi sērndhār
Those who reach/cling to His glorious feet.
நிலமிசை நீடுவாழ்வார்
nilamisai nīḍuvāzhvār
Will live long and prosper upon this earth.
வேண்டுதல் வேண்டாமை இலான்
vēṇḍudhal vēṇḍāmai ilān
He who is free of both desire and aversion (likes and dislikes).
அடி சேர்ந்தார்க்கு யாண்டும் இடும்பை இல
aḍi sērndhārkku yāṇḍum iḍumbai ila
For those who reach His feet, there is no sorrow at any time.
இருள்சேர் இருவினையும்
iruḷsēr iruvinaiyum
The two deeds (good and evil karma) joined to the darkness (of delusion).
சேரா
sērā
Will not cling / will not approach.
இறைவன் பொருள்சேர் புகழ் புரிந்தார் மாட்டு
iṟaivan poruḷsēr pugazh purindhār māṭṭu
Upon those who devote themselves to the true and meaningful praise of the Lord.
பிறவிப் பெருங்கடல்
piṟavip perungaḍal
The vast ocean of births (the cycle of birth and death, samsara).
நீந்துவர்
nīndhuvar
They will swim across (cross over it).
நீந்தார் இறைவன் அடிசேராதார்
nīndhār iṟaivan aḍisērādhār
Those who do not reach the Lord's feet will not be able to cross it.
Complete Translation
ये तिरुक्कुरल के प्रथम अध्याय 'कडवुळ् वाष़्त्तु' (ईश्वर-स्तुति) के आरंभिक दोहे हैं, जिन्हें संत तिरुवळ्ळुवर ने रचा।
1. जैसे 'अ' अक्षर समस्त अक्षरों का आदि है, वैसे ही सनातन ईश्वर इस संसार का आदि (मूल कारण) है।
2. यदि कोई शुद्ध-ज्ञानस्वरूप ईश्वर के पावन चरणों की वंदना नहीं करता, तो उसके समस्त अर्जित ज्ञान का क्या लाभ?
3. जो प्रस्फुटित (हृदय-कमल) पर विराजमान प्रभु के दिव्य चरणों की शरण लेते हैं, वे इस धरा पर दीर्घकाल तक सुख से जीते हैं।
4. जो समस्त इच्छा और द्वेष से रहित प्रभु के चरणों की शरण लेते हैं, उन्हें कभी कोई दुःख नहीं होता।
5. अंधकार (मोह) से युक्त दोनों कर्म (पुण्य और पाप) उनसे नहीं चिपकते जो प्रभु की सच्ची स्तुति में लीन रहते हैं।
6. केवल वे ही जन्म-मरण के विशाल सागर को तैरकर पार करते हैं जो प्रभु के चरणों की शरण लेते हैं; शेष इसे पार नहीं कर पाते।
Origin & History
Source: Tirukkural, Chapter 1 — Kadavul Vazhthu (kurals 1-10), by Thiruvalluvar
Author: Thiruvalluvar
Period: Ancient Tamil classical era (c. 1st-5th century CE)
The Tirukkural is the masterwork of the sage Thiruvalluvar, who tradition says lived in Mylapore. Composed in the terse, elegant venba metre, its 1,330 couplets are arranged in 133 chapters of ten couplets each. The work opens not with worldly matters but with 'Kadavul Vazhthu', the praise of God, affirming that all virtue rests on the divine. These opening couplets have for centuries been the first lines Tamil children learn, and are recited as an invocation across the Tamil world.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Tirukkural?▼
The Tirukkural is a classic Tamil work of 1,330 couplets (kurals) on virtue (aram), wealth (porul) and love (inbam), composed by the sage Thiruvalluvar. Revered as the 'Tamil Veda', it is one of the most translated and honoured texts in the world, prized for its universal ethical wisdom across all religions.
What does the first kural 'Agara mudala' mean?▼
It means: just as the letter 'A' (akaram) is the first of all letters, so the eternal God (Adi Bhagavan) is the first cause of the world. It is among the most famous lines in Tamil and is often recited as a benediction before beginning any study or event.
Who was Thiruvalluvar?▼
Thiruvalluvar was an ancient Tamil poet-sage, traditionally dated to around the early centuries CE, who lived near Mylapore (Chennai). He is universally revered as 'Valluvar', and his Tirukkural is regarded as a timeless guide to righteous living that transcends caste, creed and religion.
Why does the Tirukkural begin with praise of God?▼
The opening chapter 'Kadavul Vazhthu' establishes God as the foundation of all virtue and the first cause of existence, teaching that learning and ethical life bear fruit only when grounded in devotion to the Lord's feet. This sets the spiritual basis for the whole work on virtue, wealth and love.
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