Written by London Swaminathan

Post No. 15,996

Date uploaded in London – 19 July 2026

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tamilandvedas.com, swamiindology.blogspot.com

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In chapter 15, following are the points to be noted:

H A Poley did not select any couplet from this chapter. May be it is not applicable to westerners!

Paavam/sin, Thol (shoulder) are two Sanskrit words used in this chapter.

The Tamil word PERAANMAI in Kural 148 is translated as Heroic manhood or manly excellence by two of the translators. Literally translated it would sound Great Heroism; in India two are praised as Mahaaveer (Great Heroes) because they were known for their self-control; they are Hanuma and Mahavir (Jain Tirtankara).

Examples for couplet 146 are plenty in Hindu Puranas: Indra, Ravana, Vali, Narakasura are well known examples.

Since Buddha in Dhammapada 309 and Bhartruhari  in his Niti Sataka also deal with this subject, Hindus have admitted this an issue even 2600 years ago!

Dubbing this as a sin (Paavam) shows that Tiru Valluvar is a Pukka Hindu.

Geography of Hindus: Hindus were great in Geography and History. Even Kalidasa and Sangam poets mentioned about “ thousands of kings that ruled the world”. It shows that they knew world history 2000 years ago. All through the Tamil and Sanskrit literature the round earth circled by sea (Kural 149) is mentioned.

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Part 30

பிறனில் விழையாமை – Against coveting another’s wife- Not coveting another’s Wife

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; only selected couplets) Year 1931

7.Tamil Original

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146. Hatred, sin, dread and infamy ever dogs the steps of an adulterer- A Aranganatha Mudaliyar – ANM+2 and B.L. Aranganatha iyer and R. Srinivasa Desikan. Year 1933

***

146.Enmity, sin fear, and shame will never leave those

Who lust after the neighbour’s wife— S M Diaz, I G of Police- SMD, Year 2000

***

146
Who home ivades, from him pass nevermore,
Hatred and sin, fear, foul disgrace; these four.
Hatred, sin, fear, disgrace; these four will never leave him who goes in to his neighbour’s wife- Rev.Dr.GU Pope – GUP. Year 1886

***

146.Hatred, sin, fear, and shame-these four
Stain adulterers ever more- Suddhananda Bharathiyar – SB

***

146.The man who commits adultery can never escape enmity, sin, fear and infamy- EVS Publishers, Singapore- EVS, Year 1986

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146. பகைபாவம் அச்சம் பழியென நான்கும்
இகவாவாம் இல்லிறப்பான் கண்

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147. He is a virtuous householder that lusts not after a woman who belongs to another- ANM+2

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147.A virtuous householder is one who does not desire

To violate the femininity of another man’s wife–– SMD

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147
Who sees the wife, another’s own, with no desiring eye
In sure domestic bliss he dwelleth ever virtuously.
He who desires not the womanhood of her who should walk according to the will of another will be praised as a virtuous house-holder. – GUP
***

147.He is the righteous householder
His neighbour’s wife who covets never– SB.        

***

147.The ideal householder is he who will not be attracted by feminine grace of another man’s wife– EVS

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147. அறனியலான் இல்வாழ்வான் என்பான் பிறனியலான்
பெண்மை நயவா தவன்.

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148. The heroic manhood that turns away from the charms of the wife of another is not mere virtue; it is the very soul of perfection– ANM+2

***

148.The character of restraining from amorous glances of his neighbour’s woman,

Is really the outstanding virtue of a righteous man —– SMD

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148
Manly excellence, that looks not on another’s wife,
Is not virtue merely, ’tis full ‘propriety’ of life.
That noble manliness which looks not at the wife of another is the virtue and dignity of the great. – GUP
***

148.They lead a high-souled manly life
The pure who eye not another’s wife. – SB        

***

148.For the righteous, the fortitude of resisting the lust for another’s wife is not only a virtue, but also is the perfection of their character-  – EVS

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148. பிறன்மனை நோக்காத பேராண்மை சான்றோர்க்கு
அறனொன்றோ ஆன்ற ஒழுக்கு.

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149. All the good things of the earth encircled by the dread sea, verily belong unto the noble one who clasps not the arms of the spouse of his neighbour- ANM+2

***

149.The one who is due for all the good in this wide world,

Is the man who keeps away from his neighbour’s woman—– SMD

***

149
Who ‘re good indeed, on earth begirt by ocean’s gruesome tide?
The men who touch not her that is another’s bride.
Is it asked, “who are those who shall obtain good in this world surrounded by the terror-producing sea ?” Those who touch not the shoulder of her who belongs to another. – GUP

***

149.Good in storm bound earth is with those
Who clasp not arms of another’s spouse– SB.        

***

149.Those who  do not defile themselves by embracing another’s wife are eligible for the blessings of this ocean girt world- – EVS

***
149. நலக்குரியார் யாரெனின் நாமநீர் வைப்பின்
பிறற்குஉரியாள் தோள்தோயா தார்

***

150. In the teeth of every other sin and transgression of virtue, it were well for the soul, if it is free from the taint of adultery- ANM+2

***

150.Even if one does not practise anyother virtue and is a sinner,

It were best that he does not trespass into the homelife of his neighbour–– SMD

***

150
Though virtue’s bounds he pass, and evil dee ds hath wrought;
At least, ’tis good if neighbour’s wife he covet not.
Though a man perform no virtuous deeds and commit (every) vice, it will be well if he desire not the womanhood of her who is within the limit (of the house) of another. – GUP

***

150.Sinners breaking virtue’s behest
Lust not for another’s wife at least– SB

***

150.Although one does all sins and does nothing meritorious, it would be well if one would not violate the chastity of another’s wife- – EVS

***

H A Popley – HAP (not full book; only selected couplets) Year 1931 skipped Chapter 15.

***
150. அறன்வரையான் அல்ல செயினும் பிறன்வரையாள்
பெண்மை நயவாமை நன்று.
to be continued………………………..

Tags- Tirukkural Encyclopaedia- Chapter 15 (Kural 146-150) –Part 30, பிறனில் விழையாமை, Against coveting another’s wife,

Not coveting another’s Wife