Written by London Swaminathan

Post No. 16,080

Date uploaded in London – 12 August 2026

Contact – swami_48@yahoo.com

Pictures are taken from various sources for spreading knowledge.

this is a non- commercial blog. Thanks for your great pictures.

tamilandvedas.com, swamiindology.blogspot.com

xxxx 

POINTS TO BE NOTED:

IN THE PREVIOUS CHAPTER 20, words PAYAN AND NAYAN are used in 8 couplets. Some see them as Sanskrit words (PAYAN=PALA/N). but it is subject to more research

In this chapter 21, we see similar views in Bhagavad Gita and Dhammapada.

“Dharmo Rakshati Rakshitah” is a famous quote in all Sanskrit scriptures. It is echoed by Valluvar in Kural 204.

The shadow (Kural 208) simile is used in Dhammapada (125).

It is interesting to see a few English translators use God of Justice or Dharma.

It is also interesting to note that no Sanskrit word is used in 10 Kurals; but chapter has the word Adhikaram.

Yama’s accountant name is CHITRAGUPTA meaning Hidden Drawing or Hidden Picture. Hindu children are told that everything they do are accounted by Chitra Gupta; this is what translated by Valluvar and Buddha as SHADOW.

Our Words, Thoughts and Deeds (Mano, Vak, Kayam in Sanskrit) create pictures; Yama is a Super Computer; He calculates them through Chitra Gupta and gives awards or punishments.

Shadow= Chitra Gupta (Gupta= hidden; Chitra= picture)

***

Following Translations are used:

1.A Aranganatha Mudaliyar – ANM+2 ( 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

****

Part 39; 21. தீவினையச்சம் – Fear of sin,  Dread of Evil Deeds

Dread of Evil Deeds

201.Hardened into sin, the wicked fear not the dark forces of evil; but the noble flee away from them—.A Aranganatha Mudaliyar – ANM+2 ( B.L. Aranganatha iyer and R. Srinivasa Desikan), Year 1933

***

201.The very thought of wrong -doing frightens good men;

Bad men do not possess this precious quality— S M Diaz, I G of Police- SMD, Year 2000

***

201
With sinful act men cease to feel the dread of ill within,
The excellent will dread the wanton pride of cherished sin.
Those who have experience of evil deeds will not fear, but the excellent will fear the pride of sin.– Rev.Dr.GU Pope – GUP, Year 1886

***
201.Sinners fear not the pride of sin.
The worthy dread the ill within.       Suddhananda Bharathiyar- SB
***
201.Those who are under the illusion caused by their past evil actions will have no fear for doing evil.  The good will fear– EVS Publishers, Singapore- EVS, Year 1986

***

201. தீவினையார் அஞ்சார் விழுமியார் அஞ்சுவர்
தீவினை என்னுஞ் செருக்கு

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

202.Evil breeds evil; therefore, it is dreaded more than scorching fires—– ANM+2

***

202.As evil gives rise to a chain of evil, it is wise to shrink from sin,

As from something more terrible than fire—– SMD

***

202
Since evils new from evils ever grow,
Evil than fire works out more dreaded woe.
Because evil produces evil, therefore should evil be feared more than fire. – GUP
***
202.Since evil begets evil dire
Fear ye evil more than fire– SB. 

***     

202.Since evil deeds produce evil results such evil deeds are feared more than fire— EVS

***

202.Ill deeds give rise to ills alone;

Ill deeds must then be feared far more than fire– H A Popley – HAP (not full book; only selected couplets) Year 1931

***

202. தீயவை தீய பயத்தலால் தீயவை
தீயினும் அஞ்சப் படும்

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

203.It is the height of wisdom to do no evil even to enemies—– ANM+2

***

203.The best and most precious knowledge of all,

Is not to return evil for evil—– SMD

***

203
Even to those that hate make no return of ill;
So shalt thou wisdom’s highest law, ’tis said, fulfil.
To do no evil to enemies will be called the chief of all virtues. – GUP
***
203.The wisest of the wise are those
Who injure not even their foes– SB.       

***

203.Refraining from evil even to those who do harm is said to be the highest of all wisdom– EVS

***

203. அறிவினுள் எல்லாந் தலையென்ப தீய
செறுவார்க்கும் செய்யா விடல்

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

204.Design not the ruin of another even in an unwary moment, lest the God of  justice should compass your own–– ANM+2

***

204.Even by inadvertence, do not plan evil for others,

Lest Dharma should decree the schemer’s own ruin—– SMD

***

204
Though good thy soul forget, plot not thy neighbour’s fall,
Thy plans shall ‘virtue’s Power’ by ruin to thyself forestall.
Even though forgetfulness meditate not the ruin of another. Virtue will meditate the ruin of him who thus meditates. – GUP

***

204.His ruin virtue plots who plans
The ruin of another man’s– SB.       

***

204.Do not wish for another’s ruin even absentmindedly. If you do, your own ruin is certain to befall– EVS

***

204.Plan not another’s ruin, even in forgetful mood;

Or Virtue will herself the planner’s ruin plan– HAP

***

204. மறந்தும் பிறன்கேடு சூழற்க சூழின்
அறஞ்சூழும் சூழ்ந்தவன் கேடு

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

205.Let poverty be no plea for committing evil, for evil deeds make your poorer still—– ANM+2

***

205.Poverty should not incite one to wrong- doing for

It will result in absence of virtue in all births—– SMD

***

205
Make not thy poverty a plea for ill;
Thy evil deeds will make thee poorer still.
Commit not evil, saying, “I am poor”: if you do, you will become poorer still. – GUP
***
205.Who makes poverty plea for ill
Shall reduce himself poorer still– SB.   

***   

205.Do no evil for the sake  of redemption from poverty. If you do so, you will grow more and more poor– EVS

***

205. இலன்என்று தீயவை செய்யற்க செய்யின்
இலனாகும் மற்றும் பெயர்த்து

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
206.Commit not evil, lest your own doors should be darkened by you—– ANM+2

***

206.The man who does not want to be consumed by evil, as by a burning disease,

Shall not ever think or do evil to others—– SMD

***

206
What ranks as evil spare to do, if thou would’st shun
Affliction sore through ill to thee by others done.
Let him not do evil to others who desires not that sorrows should pursue him. – GUP

***

206.From wounding others let him refrain
Who would from harm himself remain– SB.     

***
206. one who would be free from their retributive suffering caused by evil action should refrain from doing evil to others — EVS
***

206. தீப்பால தான்பிறர்கண் செய்யற்க நோய்ப்பால
தன்னை அடல்வேண்டா தான்

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

207.There is a way of escape from the wrath of every other foe; but the evil deeds of a wicked man relentlessly pursue him down to utter ruin—– ANM+2

***

207.Other enemies one might hope to escape, but one cannot evade

The inexorable pursuit of the effect of one’s own evil deeds—– SMD

***

207
From every enmity incurred there is to ‘scape, a way;
The wrath of evil deeds will dog men’s steps, and slay.
However great be the enmity men have incurred they may still live. The enmity of sin will incessantly pursue and kill. – GUP

***

207.Men may escape other foes and live
But sin its deadly blow will give– SB.   

***   
207.one may escape great enmity but it is not possible to escape the retribution of evil deeds– EVS
***

207.Men may escape scot free from every foe;

But ill deeds wrath will dog the steps and slay at last—HAP

***

207. எனைப்பகை யுற்றாரும் உய்வர் வினைப்பகை
வீயாது பின்சென்று அடும்

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
 

208.Like a shadow do evils dog the steps of the injurer—– ANM+2

***

208.Just as the shadows follow the feet wherever they go,

The effect of evil follows the evil-doer relentlessly –– SMD

***

208
Man’s shadow dogs his steps where’re he wends;
Destruction thus on sinful deeds attends.
Destruction will dwell at the heels of those who commit evil even as their shadow that leaves them not. – GUP

***
208.Ruin follows who evil do
As shadow follows as they go– SB.     

***

208.Just as one’s shadow follows one wherever one goes, destruction follows the path of the evil doer– EVS

***

208. தீயவை செய்தார் கெடுதல் நிழல்தன்னை
வீயாது அடிஉரைந் தற்று

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

209.For the well-being of yourself, which you hold dear, raise not your guilty arm against another—– ANM+2

***

209.If you love yourself, it is wise to eschew

Even the thought of wrong-doing—– SMD

***

209
Beware, if to thyself thyself is dear,
Lest thou to aught that ranks as ill draw near!
If a man love himself, let him not commit any sin however small. – GUP

***
209.Let none who loves himself at all
Think of evil however small– SB.        209

***

209.If a man care for the well being of his own self he should do no harm whatever to others– EVS

***

209. தன்னைத்தான் காதல னாயின் எனைத்தொன்றும்
துன்னற்க தீவினைப் பால்

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

210.He rests secure from the ills of life who does not stray away from the straight path to stain his hands with wicked deeds–– ANM+2

***

210.Even if a man has got into unrighteous ways, he will be

A rare one indeed, if he does not do evil to others—– SMD

***

210
The man, to devious way of sin that never turned aside,
From ruin rests secure, whatever ills betide.
Know ye that he is freed from destruction who commits no evil, going to neither side of the right path. – GUP

***

210. He is secure, know ye, from ills
Who slips not right path to do evils– SB.       

***

210.If one will not swerve from the path of righteousness  and do evil to others, know ye that no evil can befall one– EVS

***
210. அருங்கேடன் என்பது அறிக மருங்கோடித்
தீவினை செய்யான் எனின்
to be continued……………

Tags- Part 39; 21. தீவினையச்சம் – Fear of sin,  Dread of Evil Deeds, Tirukkural Encyclopaedia- Chapter 21 (Kural 201-210)