Post No. 13,798
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Sanskrit Poets and Tamil Poets attack Women 4 (last part) Post No.13,798)
Here are more proverbs from Tamil and Sanskrit books; there are over 500 proverbs in Tamil on women. They praise and criticise women. In Sanskrit there are over 300 proverbs in Suktisudha book (published by Chinmaya International); they also praise good women and criticise bad women.
I am giving some from Percival’s collection of Tamil proverbs from Project Madurai website. Percival translated them literally without getting the inner meaning; he did not read them between the lines. Any way his collection is a starting point. Two more foreigners collected Tamil proverbs totalling 20,000. Thanks to them our research has become easier.
Following proverbs show how Hindus treated chaste women and Mother as Goddesses. Other women were treated as second class citizens; they were deprived of education; wife beating, marrying them very young, treating widows as lower births, ridiculing sterile women, Tamil ghost Neeli who killed 70 business men are included.
80. அஞ்சு வயது ஆண்பிள்ளைக்கு ஐம்பது வயதுப் பெண் கால் முடக்கவேண்டும்.
A woman of fifty must bend the knee before a boy of five.
Referring to the deference paid to the male sex by the Hindus.
86. அடக்கமே பெண்ணுக்கு அழகு.
Modesty is the ornament of a woman.
The proverb may be used of moderation generally and self-restraint.
123. அடுக்களைக்கு ஒரு பெண்ணும் அம்பலத்துக்கு ஒரு ஆணும் இருக்கிறதென்கிறான்.
He says, to cook, there is a woman; for outdoor work, a man.
Spoken of needful help already at hand.
4891. பெண்டிர்க்கு அழகு போசாதிருத்தல்.
Not to remonstrate with her husband is an ornament in a woman.
6016. வேலைக்கள்ளிக்குப் பிள்ளை மேல் சாக்கு, வெட்கம் கெட்ட நாறிக்கு அகமுடையான் மேலே சாக்கு.
An idle woman pleads her child in excuse for her faults, a shameless woman, her husband.
4810. புருஷன் அடிக்கக் கொழுந்தன் கோபித்தது போல.
Like the younger brother of the husband, rebuking him for beating his wife.
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அடுப்பூதும் பெண்களுக்கு படிப்பு எதற்கு ?
No need for education for women; they fit in kitchen only
ஆவதும் பெண்ணாலே அழிவதும் பெண்ணாலே
Women can make it or mar it
314. அரிவை மொழி கேட்டால் அபத்தன் ஆவான்.
He who listens to the words of a woman will be accounted worthless.
366. அவசாரியென்று ஆனைமேல் ஏறலாம் திருடியென்று தெருவில் வரலாமா?
As an abandoned woman one may ride on an elephant, but can one go along a street as a thief?
433. அழிந்தவள் ஆரோடு போனால் என்ன?
What matters it with whom an abandoned woman goes ?
1528. எண்ணறக் கற்று எழுத்தற வாசித்தாலும் பெண் புத்தி பின் புத்தியே.
No matter how skilled a woman may be in numbers and letters, her judgment will be second rate.
Many modern Hindus of the day (1873, though themselves earnest about University honours, evince but very little interest regarding the intellectual and moral culture of their daughters. The Rev R. M. Banerjee, a learned brahman of Calcutta, very recently gave a sad account of the disabilities to which native ladies in that city are subject.
2990. கோடி தனம் இருந்தாலும் குணம் இல்லா மங்கையை மணம் முடிக்கல் ஆகாது.
It is not good to marry a girl, no matter how great her wealth, if her natural temper is exceptionable.
2938. கொடி சுற்றிப் பெண் பிறந்தால் கோத்திரத்திற்கு ஆகாது.
It is an evil omen to a tribe for a girl to be born with her navel string round the body.
2665. குமரியாய் இருக்கையிற் கொண்டாட்டம் கிழவியாய் இருக்கிற போது திண்டாட்டம்.
When young, a woman is full of hilarity, when old her portion is vexation.
3387. செட்டியை நீலி தொடர்ந்ததுபோல.
As Nili-a cruel woman-followed the Chetty.
3782. தான் பத்தினி ஆனால் தேவடியாள் தெருவிலும் குடி இருக்கலாம்.
If a woman be chaste she may live in the street of the harlots.
3874. துணிகிறவளுக்கு வெட்கம் இல்லை, அழுகிறவளுக்குத் துக்கம் இல்லை.
An impudent woman has no shame, a weeping woman has no sorrow.
4105. நல்ல மாட்டிற்கு ஒரு அடி , நல்ல பெண்ணுக்கு ஒரு சொல்.
A good bullock requires but one blow, and a good woman only one word.
4157. நாணம் இல்லாத பெண் நகைப்புக்கு இடம் வைப்பாள்.
An impudent woman gives occasion to be laughed at.
739. ஆயிரம் சொன்னாலும் அவசாரி சமுசாரியாகாள்.
Though a thousand-times admonished, faithless woman will not become a faithful wife.
988. இரங்காதவர் உண்டா ? பெண் என்றால் பேயும் இரங்கும்.
Are there those who have no pity ? If the word woman be uttered even a demon will be moved with compassion.
1050. இரு மனது மங்கையோடு இணங்குவது அவம்.
To associate with a double minded woman is fatal.
667.ஆணிக்கு இணங்கின பொன்னும் மாமிக்கு இணங்கின பெண்ணும் அருமை. Standard gold,and a woman at one with her mother-in-law are rare.
668. ஆணுக்கு அவகேடு செய்தாலும் பெண்ணுக்குப் பிழைகேடு செய்யலாகாது.
Although one may injurer a man; a woman may not be injuriously treated.
669.ஆணை அடித்து வளர், பெண்ணைப் போற்றி வளர்.
Train a boy strictly, but a girl kindly.
714. ஆமுடையானைக் கொன்ற அற நீலி.
A most abandoned woman who murdered her own husband.
4891. பெண்டிர்க்கு அழகு போசாதிருத்தல்.
Not to remonstrate with her husband is an ornament in a woman.
4903. பெண்ணைக் கொண்டு பையன் பேயானான், பிள்ளை பெற்றுச் சிறுக்கி நாயானாள்.
Having married a wife the boy has become a fool, having given birth to a child the damsel has become mean in appearance.
4905. பெண் புத்தி கேட்கிறவன் பேய்.
He who listens to the advice of women is a fool.
4906. பெண் புத்தி பின் புத்தி.
The thoughts of women are after-thoughts.
4907. பெண் வளர்த்தி பீர்க்கங்கொடி.
The growing of women is that of a gourd creeper.
4949. பேதைமை என்பது மாதர்க்கு அணிகலம்.
Simplicity is the ornament of a woman.
4950. பேயானாலும் தாய், நீரானாலும் மோர்.
Though like a demon she is a mother, though mere slop, it is butter-milk.
4885. பெண் என்றால் பேயும் இரங்கும்.
Even a demon will pity a woman.
4516. பத்தினியைத் தொட்டதும் துரியோதனன் பட்டதும்.
By touching the virtuous woman, Dropati, Duriyodhana was ruined.
4534. பரியத்துக்கு அஞ்சிக் குருட்டுக் கண்ணியைக் கொண்டது போல.
Like marrying a blind woman to avoid paying the nuptial present.
2303. கள்ளிக்கு கல நீர் கண்ணிலே.
A thievish woman has a kalam of tears in her eyes.
2304. கள்ளிக்கு வேலி ஏன், சுள்ளிக்குக் கோடாலி ஏன்?
What avails a fence against a thievish woman, or an axe for cutting twigs?
2057. கண்டதைக் கேளாவிட்டால் கொண்டவன் அடிப்பான்.
If she does not attend to the affairs of her family, her husband will beat her.
1784. ஐயர் கதிர் போல அம்மாள் குதிர் போல.
The husband is like an ear of corn, the wife is like a rice bin or grain receptacle.
2188. கரைப்பக்கம் பாதை இருக்கக் கப்பல் ஏறினவனும், சொல்லாத தை மனையாளுக்குச் சொன்னவனும் பட்ட பாடுபோல.
Like the misery endured by him who embarked when there was a way by land, and by the husband who revealed to his wife that which he ought not.
2215. கல் ஆகிலும் கணவன், புல் ஆகிலும் புருஷன்.
Though in heart hard as a stone, and worthless as a blade of grass, he is your husband.
2726. குலமகட்கு அழகு தன் கொழுநனைப் பேணுதல்.
It becomes a lawful wife to honour her husband.
2368. காகம் கர் என்றால் கணவனை அப்பா என்று கட்டிக்கொள்ளுவாளாம்.
4125. நற்பெண்டீர் நல்லதைக் கண்டால் நமது நாயகனுக்கு என்பார்.
When a faithful wife finds a good thing, she will keep it for her husband.
89. அடங்காத பெண்சாதியினாலே அத்தைக்கும் நமக்கும் பொல்லாப்பு.
A disobedient wife is an evil both to her mother and to one’s self.
Spoken of a person inimical alike to two parties.
90. அடங்காத மனைவியும் ஆங்கார புருஷனும்.
A disobedient wife and a self-willed husband.
Said of uncongenial society.
281. அரசனை நம்பிப் புருஷனைக் கைவிட்டது போல.
Like losing a husband through trusting in a king.
714. ஆமுடையானைக் கொன்ற அற நீலி.
A most abandoned woman who murdered her own husband.
5240. மாலை சுற்றிப் பெண் பிறந்தால் மாமனுக்கு ஆகாது.
For a girl to be born with a garland round her neck is ominous to her maternal uncle.
This மாலை may be either the navel-string or a thin membrane that covers the head, and which, sometimes decends like a ring, to the neck, it is then called மாலை, if otherwise முகமூடி a veil.
3259. சிறைச்சாலைக்கு அறை இல்லை , தேவடியாளுக்கு முறை இல்லை.
A prison has no apartments, a temple girl observes no relationships.
6029. வேலையைப் பார்த்துப் பெண்ணை எடு, சாலையைப் பார்த்து ஊருக்கு நட.
After ascertaining her domestic skill take a girl in marriage, proceed to your village taking care not to miss the road.
5621. வாதுக்கு ஆடின தேவடியாள் வயது சென்றால் கழுதை மேய்ப்பாள்.
When a distinguished dancing girl becomes old, she may tend assess.
5661. வாழ்கிற பெண்ணைத் தாயார் கெடுத்தது போல.
As a mother ruined a girl that was settled in life.
5905. வெள்ளாட்டிக்குச் சன்னதம் வந்தால் விழுந்து விழுந்து கும்பிட வேண்டும்.
If a servant girl, be possessed of a devil, all must fall down before her.
2302. கள்ளிக்குத் தண்ணீர் கண்ணிலே, நீலிக்குத் தண்ணீர் நிமையிலே.
The tears of a thievish woman are in her eyes, those of an abandoned woman are in her eyebrows.
5431. மேலாம் மினுக்கியைக் கொண்டவன் கெட்டான், மேட்டிலே பயிரிட்டவன் கெட்டான்.
He who marries a woman of great beauty will be ruined, he who sows on hilly ground, will be impoverished.
5466. மெளனி குடியைக் கெடுப்பாள்.
A reserved woman will destroy her family.
5852. வெட்கம் அற்ற பெண்பிள்ளை வீண்.
A woman without shame is worthless.
5523.வதுவை செய்து வாழ்.
Get married and live prosperously.
5653. வாழாத பெண்ணுக்கு மை ஏண்டி, பொட்டு ஏண்டி, மஞ்சள் குளி ஏண்டி?
Of what use are paint, the marriage symbol and turmeric water, to a woman who refuses to become a wife?
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Anti Women Proverbs
The minds of women are fickle – Katha Sarit Sagara
Even gods find the intentions of women inscrutable – Brhat Katha Manjari
It is indeed sad that women cannot tolerate other women- Katha Sarit Sagara
WOMEN , LIKE FLOWER GARLANDS, APPEAL ONLY FROM A DISTACE –Ramayana Manjari
There is no women free of jealousy – Subhasitaratna kanda manjusa
Do not over honour a young beauty- Satopadesaprabandha
A prostitute swindles all of one’s wealth – Brhat Katha Manjari
Crooked women are bereft of morals, fickle, shrewd, and sowers of dissension- Valmiki Ramayana
Women, after fleecing men, cast them away like squeezed out red lac dye-
Mrchchakatika
Audumbarani pushpanisvetavarnam cha vayasam
Matsyapadam jaleth pasyeth na naree hrudayastitam
Meaning
You may see the flowers of Ficus glomerata flowers, white crow feet of fish in water, but you may not know what a woman thinks.
Dushtaa bharyaaamrtyureva na samsayah
Living with a bad wife………………………………………….is like living with a snake
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Pro Women Proverbs
One Mother is greater than 1000 Fathers!
Women were adored not only for their beauty but also for their intellectual acumen. We have 27 Rig Vedic poetesses around 1500 BC and 27 Tamil poetesses around 3rd Century AD. Gatha Saptasati has ten poetesses. We don’t find such a galaxy of women poets in any other part of the ancient world. The following quotations will prove the respect they commanded 2000 or 3000 years ago:
“ Yatra naryast pujyante ramante tatra devatah
Yatraitastu na pujyante sarvastatraphalah kriyah”
Manu smriti 3-56, Mahabharata 13-45-5
‘Where women are worshipped, there the gods are delighted; but where they are not worshipped, all religious ceremonies become futile’—Manu Smriti.
One acharya/Guru excels ten Upadhyayas/teachers in glory; a father excels 100 acharyas/Gurus in glory; but a MOTHER excels even a thousand fathers in glory (Manu 2-145)
“Her father protects her in childhood, her husband protects her in youth, and her sons protect her in old age; a woman is never independent”. Manu IX-9 (The meaning is that she is always protected and not left alone without support)
In Saptashati, Durga says, “He who conquers me in battle, he who humbles my pride, he who is my equal in this world, he shall be my husband”.
India was the only country in the world where women were free to choose their husbands. Eight types of marriages were offered to men and women. Men and women met and mixed freely at festivals like ‘Samanas’. Nowhere in the ancient world have we seen such a freedom.
“Let this heart of yours be mine, and let this heart of mine be yours”- Maha Bharata (1.3.9)
Matru Devo Bhava= Treat your Mother as a Goddess.
Kalaidasa on women
‘’Kanyeyam kula-jivitam‘’—Mahakavi Kalidas in Kumara Sambhava 6-63= ‘the girl is the very life of the family’
Nityam nivasate lakshmih kanyakasu prathisthita—Mahabharata 13-11-14= In the person of a girl, lies fortune as well as grace.
Kanyapyevam palaniya shikshaniyatiyatnatah (Mahanirvana Tantra 8-47)= a girl, too, should be brought up and educated with as much care as a son.
Purushavat yoshitopi kavi bhaveyuh, samskaro hyatmani samavaiti, na strainam paurusham va vibhagam apekshate. Shruyante drishyante cha rajaputryo mahamatya duhitaro ganikah kautuki-bharyashcha Shastra prahata bhuddayah kavayashcha—Rajashekhara in Kavya mimamsa=
Like men, women too, can be poets. For potentially inheres in the self, irrespective of sex differences. It is heard as also seen that princesses, daughters of ministers, courtesans and concubines are possessed of an extensive knowledge of the scriptures and also are poets.
And of feminine forms I am fame(Kirti), prosperity (Sri), speech (Vac), memory (Smrti) , intelligence (Medha), firmness(Dhrti) and patience (Kshama).—Bhagavad gita—X-34
All good qualities are kept in feminine forms
She is the true wife who is a good house wife. She is a true wife whose heart is devoted to her husband. She is a true wife who is faithful to her husband.
A man’s half is his wife. The wife is her husband’s best of friends…. The wife is the source of salvation.
Those who have wives can perform religious acts. Those that have wives lead domestic lives. Those that have wives can be happy; and those that have wives can achieve good fortune.
The sweet –speeched wives are their husband’s friends on the occasion of joy; they are as fathers on occasions of religious acts;they are as mothers in the hours of illness and woe.
Even in the deep forest, the wife is the refreshment and solace of her roaming husband. He who has a wife, is trusted by all. The wife, therefore, is man’s great means of salvation.
–Mahabharata
(Taken from the book Asia through Asian Eyes, Thames and Hudson, London, page176)
“Let this heart of yours be mine, and let this heart of mine be yours”- Mahabharata (1.3.9)
11.An ounce of mother is worth a ton of priest.
12.Like mother like daughter
13.Like mother like daughter; like yarn like the sari (Tamil Proverb)
14.The birth follows the belly (daughter is like her mother)
15.Is there a mother who does not pardon the mistake of her offspring? – Pratima Nataka
16.The mother’s side is the surest
17.The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world.
18.THERE MAY BE BAD SONS BUT NEVER A BAD MOTHER- Devi Aparadha Kshamapana Stotra
19.There is only one pretty child in the world, and every mother has it.
The owl thinks her own young fairest (For a crow its young one is golden- Tamil Proverb)
20.The good mother says not. “Will you?” but gives.
21.The mother’s breath is aye sweet.
22.The mother of the coward does not worry about him (Arabic proverb).
23.Mother and Motherland are greater than heaven (Jananii janma bhuumisca svargaadapi gariiyasii) – Kahavatranakar
24.Home life is blessed as long as mother is alive– Kahavatranakar
25.Unbrarable are the sorrows of mothers –Brhad Katha manjari
26.When a daughter is given away in marriage, mothers feel distressed-Pratinjaa yaugandharaayana
27.No god beyond mother (Na maatuh daivatam param)—Canakya Neeti
28.The teesth of the mother cat do not harm her kittens
29.For all humans, the mother indeed is the God of all Gods.
30.Hail the Mother as God! Hail the Father as God (Maatr Devo bhava pitr devo bhava) – Taittiriya Upanishad.
31.As the Mother, so the daughter –Kahavatratnakar
32.None indeed can nourish your body like the mother – Subhasitaratnavali
33.The caress of a mother is as soothing as a water-jet to the thirsty.
–subham–
Tags- Sanskrit Poets, Tamil Poets , on Women, part- 4 (last part) , Tamil, Sanskrit , Proverbs on girls, mothers, chaste women, ladies, Prostitues, courtesans,
Tamil and Vedas 