Thursday, May 26, 2016

Thirukkural Chapter 94 - Gambling


Couplet 931 
Seek not the gamester's play; though you should win,
Your gain is as the baited hook the fish takes in
Explanation
Though able to win, let not one desire gambling; (for) even what is won is like a fish swallowing the iron in fish-hook

Couplet 932 
Is there for gamblers, too, that gaining one a hundred lose, some way
That they may good obtain, and see a prosperous day
Explanation
That they may good obtain, and see a prosperous day? Is there indeed a means of livelihood that can bestow happiness on gamblers who gain one and lose a hundred?

Couplet 933 
If prince unceasing speak of nought but play,
Treasure and revenue will pass from him away
Explanation
If the king is incessantly addicted to the rolling dice in the hope of gain, his wealth and the resources thereof will take their departure and fall into other's hands

Couplet 934 
Gaming brings many woes, and ruins fair renown;
Nothing to want brings men so surely down
Explanation
There is nothing else that brings (us) poverty like gambling which causes many a misery and destroys (one's) reputation

Couplet 935 
The dice, and gaming-hall, and gamester's art, they eager sought,
Thirsting for gain- the men in other days who came to nought
Explanation
Penniless are those who by reason of their attachment would never forsake gambling, the gamblingplace and the handling (of dice)

Couplet 936 
Gambling's Misfortune's other name: o'er whom she casts her veil,
They suffer grievous want, and sorrows sore bewail
Explanation
Those who are swallowed by the goddess called "gambling" will never have their hunger satisfied, but suffer the pangs of hell in the next world

Couplet 937 
Ancestral wealth and noble fame to ruin haste,
If men in gambler's halls their precious moments waste
Explanation
To waste time at the place of gambling will destroy inherited wealth and goodness of character

Couplet 938 
Gambling wastes wealth, to falsehood bends the soul: it drives away
All grace, and leaves the man to utter misery a prey
Explanation
Gambling destroys property, teaches falsehood, puts an end to benevolence, and brings in misery (here and hereafter)

Couplet 939 
Clothes, wealth, food, praise, and learning, all depart
From him on gambler's gain who sets his heart
Explanation
The habit of gambling prevents the attainment of these five: clothing, wealth, food, fame and learning

Couplet 940 
Howe'er he lose, the gambler's heart is ever in the play;
E'en so the soul, despite its griefs, would live on earth alway
Explanation
As the gambler loves (his vice) the more he loses by it, so does the soul love (the body) the more it suffers through it

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