Created by Jijith Nadumuri at 11 Oct 2011 10:24 and updated at 11 Oct 2011 10:24
TIRUKKURAL of Tiruvalluvar, the Tamil poet
BOOK 1
VIRTUE
DIVISION 2
1.2 Domestic Virtue
ADHIKARAM 2
1.2.2 The Goodness of the Help to Domestic Life
51.
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.
52.
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.
53.
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
54.
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
55.
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.
56.
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.
57.
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.
58.
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.
59.
Who have not spouses that in Virtue s praise delight,
The 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.
60.
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.
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