Written by London Swaminathan

Post No. 15,752

Date uploaded in London –17 May 2026

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Tiru Valluvar emphasized chastity only for women like all old-fashioned Smriti (Hindu Law Books) writers. He shows himself as an old-fashioned writer in couplet 58 where he says they shall find glory in the world of Gods. He reminds us of Sita, Savitri, Damayanthy, Chandramathy, Kannaki et al

This is applicable only for people who follow oriental religions and not Abrahamic religions. So Tirukkural has no universal appeal. Tamils must have the guts to admit it. If ten Christian Bishops and Ten Maulvis approve Tirukkural as acceptable then we can say this book is for all. When we look at his attack on meat eaters it will be clearer. Even Buddhists eat meat. Even Asoka instructed his people to use less meat. Only Jains and orthodox South Indian Brahmins are pure vegetarians. In the Eastern part of India, Brahmins consume fish.

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Part 12

Following Translations are used:

1.A Aranganatha Mudaliyar – ANM+2 and B.L. Aranganatha iyer and R. Srinivasa Desikan. Year 1933 

2.S M Diaz, I G of Police- SMD Year 2000

3.Rev.Dr.GU Pope – GUP. Year 1886

4.Suddhananda Bharathiyar- SB

5.EVS Publishers, Singapore- EVS. Year 1986

6.H A Popley – HAP (not full book) Year 1931

7.Tamil Original

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56.She is a wife who, keeping watch over herself, tends her husband with loving kindness and jealously guards the honour of her home —ANM+2 and B.L. Aranganatha iyer and R. Srinivasa Desikan. Year 1933 

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56.One who never falters in protecting herself, while tending her husband

And keeping the good name of the family, is a woman indeed —S M Diaz, I G of Police- SMD Year 2000

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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.– .Rev.Dr.GU Pope – GUP. Year 1886

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56.The good wife guards herself from blame,
She tends her spouse and brings him fame–     Suddhananda Bharathiyar- SB

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56.She who guards her virtue, tenderly cares for her husband, and maintains  the reputation of both, is a good wife –EVS Publishers, Singapore- EVS. Year 1986

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56.She is true wife who, guarding self and cherishing her spouse,

With tireless goodness their good name unsullied holds HAP (not full book) Year 1931

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56. தற்காத்துத் தற்கொண்டாற் பேணித் தசைசான்ற
சொற்காத்துச் சோர்விலாள் பெண்

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57.Of what avail is your ceaseless watching and guarding? The surest armour of a woman is her own chastity–ANM+2

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57.Of what avail is watch and ward? A woman ‘s will is the best safeguard of her honour– SMD

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57.
Of what avail is wat ch and ward?
Honour’s woman’s safest guard.
What avails the guard of a prison ? The chief guard of a woman is her chastity.—GUP

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57.Of what avail are watch and ward?
Their purity is women’s guard.     – SB   

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57.Of what use are prison walls to protect a woman’s virtue? The woman’s possession of a firm mind is her best protection– EVS

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57.What is the use of prison’s ward for wife?

Her ward of chastity is chief —HAP

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57. சிறைகாக்குங் காப்புஎவன் செய்யும் மகளிர்
நிறைகாக்குங் காப்பே தலை

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58.In the world of the gods will be sung the glory of the lovely one who is true to him that gained her as his bride–ANM+2

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58. A wife who helps her husband to win name and fame, will not only share the honour

With her husband, but will gain glory in heaven– SMD

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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.—GUP

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58.Women who win their husbands’ heart
Shall flourish where the gods resort.   – SB     

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58.She who gains the affection of her husband by her faithful devotion to him is honoured among the Gods– EVS

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58.if wives their husbands cherish well,

they shall find glory in the world of Gods —HAP

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58. பெற்றாற் பெறின்பெறுவர் பெண்டிர் பெருஞ்சிறப்புப்
புத்தேளிர் வாழும் உலகு

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59.Never can a man boast of the lion-like gait before his scornful foes, whose wedded wife leads a shameless  life on earth —ANM+2

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59.If a man’s wife does not bring him credit and honour, he cannot walk

With proud leonine gait in the face of his detractors- SMD

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59.
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.– GUP

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59.A cuckold has not the lion-like gait
Before his detractors aright.       – SB 

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59.He who does not possess an ideal wife, who values the reputation of chastity cannot hold his head up among his friends – EVS

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59.They cannot walk with lion hearted pride,

Whose wives guard not their name ‘fore mocking eyes –BAP

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59. புகழ்புரிந்த இல்லிலோர்க்கு இல்லை இகழ்வவார்முன்
ஏறுபோல் பீடு நடை

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60.The wise deem the virtuous ways of a wife  a blessing and worthy offspring a good ornament of the home–ANM+2

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60.A good wife brings beauty and happiness to family life

And good children are its fine ornaments—SMD

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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.—GUP

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60.An honest wife is home’s delight
And children good are jewels abright. – SB       

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60.A virtuous wife is a blessing, and good children are its adornment – EVS

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60.A man’s good fortune is his wife’s own worth;

Its ornaments his good children are —HAP
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60. மங்கலம் என்ப மனைமாட்சி மற்றுஅதன்
நன்கலம் நன்மக்கட் பேறு

To be continued……………………………….

Tags-  Part 12, Who is a Good Wife? Who is a Bad Wife? Tirukkural Encyclopaedia ,Chapter 6 (Kural 56-60)