Back to Library
Kural No. 262 · Virtue (Aram) · Ch 27

Penance

தவம்
Original Kural · ஓலைச்சுவடி
தவமும் தவமுடையார்க்கு ஆகும் அதனை
அஃதிலார் மேற்கொள் வது.

Thavamum Thavamutaiyaarkku Aakum Adhanai / Aqdhilaar Merkol Vadhu

Classical English couplet — “To 'penitents' sincere avails their 'penitence';Where that is not, 'tis but a vain pretence”

Read this Kural in your own language
Choose from 26 languages · narrated with native voice
A
Simple English Meaning

What it says in plain words

“Austerities can only be borne, and their benefits enjoyed, by those who have practised them (in a former birth); it will be useless for those who have not done so, to attempt to practise them (now)

B
எளிய தமிழ் விளக்கம் · Simple Tamil Interpretation

The classical Tamil reading

தவக்கோலமும் தவஒழுக்கமும் உடையவர்க்கே பொருந்துவதாகும்; அக் கோலத்தை தவஒழுக்கம் இல்லாதவர் மேற்கொள்வது வீண்முயற்சியாகும்.

C
ஆழமான தமிழ் விளக்கம் · Deeper Tamil Commentary

An expanded Tamil interpretation

உறுதிப்பாடும், மன அடக்கமும் உடையவருக்கே தவத்தின் பெருமை வாய்க்கும் எனவே கட்டுப்பாடான ஒழுக்கம் இல்லாதவர்கள், தவத்தை மேற்கொள்வது வீண் செயலேயாகும்

AI Companion · Inscribing the English commentary…

Claude is reading the verified Tamil and classical English text and writing the deeper meaning, examples, applications, a leadership lesson and a reflection question. Once, then cached for everyone.

Thirukkural Wisdom

Ancient Tamil wisdom — made simple, practical and useful for the modern world, in your own language.

Disclaimer

This application provides educational explanations of the Thirukkural. English meanings and AI-assisted explanations are intended to make the text easier to understand. Classical texts can have multiple valid interpretations.

Thirukkural Wisdom for the World·Timeless Tamil couplets for global minds·© 2026
Choose your language
Tamil & English are always shown · pick a third language

Every Kural is presented in Tamil and English by default. If you'd like a third language alongside, choose one below. You can change or remove it anytime.

You can change this anytime from the globe button in the header.