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Chapter 56: கொடுங்கோன்மை

On Wealth & Statecraft Kingship Chapter 56

Kural 560

கொடுங்கோன்மை

Position 10/10

திருக்குறள்

ஆபயன் குன்றும் அறுதொழிலோர் நூல்மறப்பர் காவலன் காவான் எனின்.

Aapayan Kundrum Arudhozhilor Noolmarappar Kaavalan Kaavaan Enin

“The *six-functioned forget their lore Cows give less if kings guard no more * the six functions are: learning, teaching, giving, getting, sacrificing, kindling sacrifice These are duties of Vedic savants”

Where guardian guardeth not, udder of kine grows dry,And Brahmans' sacred lore will all forgotten lie

Story adaptations

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Kural #560

The Neglected Duty

The story illustrates that a leader's neglect leads to the loss of both economic stability (cattle) and cultural/intellectual heritage (knowledge). If the guardian (of the country) neglects to guard it, the produce of the cows will fail, and the men of six duties viz, the Brahmins will forget the vedas

8–14 yr 2 min