Tirukkural Chapter 24 - Couplets 4,5,6

திருக்குறள் -THIRUKKURAL அதிகாரம் 24 - புகழ் CHAPTER 24 - ON FAME *** 24/04. நிலவரை நீள்புகழ் ஆற்றின் புலவரை போற்றது புத்தேள் உலகு. 24/04. Nilavarai neellpugazh aarrtrin pulavarai Porrtradhu puththell ulagu. 24/04. If one's fame goes up to the frontiers of the world, The heaven will praise him, but not the Devas there. *** Radha: How long one's fame remains in the world? Madhavi: Can anyone try to cook A pumpkin drawn in a book? Likewise, name and fame Remain inside a glass frame. As it's, out of sight, out of mind, Some names one can find When you turn the pages Of past historical records. Some famous persons One can even trace In postal stamps, Or in currency notes. *** 24/05. நத்தம்போல் கேடும் உளதாகும் சாக்காடும் வித்தகர்க்கு அல்லால் அரிது. 24/05. Naththampol kedum ulladhagum saakkaadum Viththagarkhu allaal aridhu. 24/05. Wise men feel poverty as growth and death as living, When their fame goes up, after donating their wealth. *** Radha: How is it, poverty is growth And death is living? Madhavi: Wise men attach no value For wealth, but they give due Attention to the suffering mass, Whose lives are meaningless? They live even after death, As their fame and wealth Save many living beings Thro' Trusts in their names. When they were born, They didn't bring anything. When they died then, They took with them nothing. So, for wealth, they don't care, But for people, they do care, As it was only from them They earned their fame. *** 24/06. தோன்றின் புகழொடு தோன்றுக; அஃதிலார் தோன்றலின் தோன்றாமை நன்று. 24/06. Thondrrin pugazhodu thondrruga; agdhilaar Thonrralin thonrraamai nandru. 24/06. If one should live, better live with fame Otherwise even if born, it is better not be born. *** Radha: What an extreme point For one born is better not born? Madhavi: Everyone is born with a mission And if it's not understood by one His or her life is in vain. It's like as if they aren't born. Within one's own circle, If one proves his credential, Then the object of his mission Is fully in commission. From dust a diamond Comes to this world, And from muddy water Lotus flowers appear. Like a diamond here, Or a lotus flower, Let all those born In the world shine. ***