Kural 0436 - ЁЯМД родрой்ройைрод் родிро░ுрод்родி родро▓ைрооை роЪெроп் – Lead By Correcting Self

Self-correction before judging others; Kural 436’s timeless wisdom on leadership, justice, and personal growth. Insights, practices, story

ЁЯТб роЪிрои்родройை - Insight

Key Questions

  • Universal: Why is it easier to spot others’ faults than our own?
  • Universal: How can I gain credibility when advising or correcting others?
  • Scholar (Leadership): What makes a leader’s judgment legitimate in the eyes of their people?
  • Scholar (Management): How do organizations build cultures of accountability?
  • Scholar (Philosophy): Why must self-knowledge precede justice?
  • Scholar (Politics): How can rulers prevent hypocrisy in governance?
  • Scholar (Business): What makes criticism effective in corporate teams?
  • Scholar (Psychology): Why does hypocrisy erode trust so quickly in social groups?
  • Scholar (Spiritual): How do traditions ensure self-cleansing before reforming others?
  • Scholar (Sports): How can athletes focus on self-improvement instead of blaming rivals?

Key Insight

Thiruvalluvar: Judgment without self-correction returns as self-condemnation; only the one who removes his own faults before naming others stands blameless in authority, trust, and truth.

ЁЯУЬ роХுро▒ро│் – Kural

роХுро▒ро│் 436

родрой்роХுро▒்ро▒роо் роиீроХ்роХிрок் рокிро▒ро░்роХுро▒்ро▒роЩ் роХாрог்роХிро▒்рокிрой் 
роОрой்роХுро▒்ро▒ рооாроХுроо் роЗро▒ைроХ்роХு.
[рокொро░ுроЯ்рокாро▓், роЕро░роЪிропро▓், роХுро▒்ро▒роЩ்роХроЯிродро▓்]

роЪрои்родி рокிро░ிрок்рокு 

родрой் роХுро▒்ро▒роо் роиீроХ்роХிрок் рокிро▒ро░் роХுро▒்ро▒роо் роХாрог்роХிро▒்рокிрой் 
роОрой் роХுро▒்ро▒роо் роЖроХுроо் роЗро▒ைроХ்роХு 

Transliteration

Thankutram Neekkip Pirarkutrang Kaankirpin
Enkutra Maakum Iraikku?

taс╣Йkuс╣Яс╣Яam n─лkkip piс╣Яarkuс╣Яс╣Яaс╣Е k─Бс╣Зkiс╣Яpiс╣Й
eс╣Йkuс╣Яс╣Яa m─Бkum iс╣Яaikku.

English Translation

He who removes his own faults before finding fault with others,
stands free of blame before the Highest Authority.

Purpose of This Kural

The purpose of this Kural is to remind leaders and individuals that true judgment begins with self-purification. Without first correcting one’s own faults, any criticism of others turns hollow and ultimately condemns the critic himself.

Relevance / Need in Today’s Context

In today’s world of leadership, governance, business, and family life, this Kural underscores the importance of accountability. From CEOs to parents, credibility comes only when we fix our own flaws before demanding correction from others.

ЁЯФдЁЯУЪрокродро╡ுро░ை - Design of Words

(Building blocks of the verse)

рокродро╡ுро░ை - Word Meanings in Tamil

родрой் - родрой்ройுроЯைроп

роХுро▒்ро▒роо் - рокிро┤ை; рокро┤ி; родுрой்рокроо்; роЙроЯро▒்роХுро▒ை; родீроЩ்роХு; роЕрокро░ாродроо்; родீроЯ்роЯு

родрой்роХுро▒்ро▒роо் - родрой்ройுроЯைроп роХுро▒்ро▒роЩ்роХро│ை, (родройродு роиாроЯ்роЯிрой் / роХுроЯுроо்рокрод்родிрой் роХுро▒்ро▒роЩ்роХро│்)

роиீроХ்роХுродро▓் - роТро┤ிрод்родро▓்; ро╡ிроЯுро╡ிрод்родро▓்; роХро┤ிрод்родро▓்; роТродுроХ்роХுродро▓்; роЕро┤ிрод்родро▓்; роЕроХро▒்ро▒ுродро▓்; рокிро░ிрод்родро▓்; родிро▒род்родро▓்; рооாро▒்ро▒ுродро▓்; роХைро╡ிроЯுродро▓்

роиீроХ்роХிрок் - роХрог்роЯு роЙрогро░்рои்родு рокிрой்рокு роХро│ைрои்родு роЪро░ி роЪெроп்родு

рокிро▒ро░் - роЕропро▓ாро░், роЕрой்ройிропро░்

роХுро▒்ро▒роо் - рокிро┤ை; рокро┤ி; родுрой்рокроо்; роЙроЯро▒்роХுро▒ை; родீроЩ்роХு; роЕрокро░ாродроо்; родீроЯ்роЯு

рокிро▒ро░்роХுро▒்ро▒роЩ் - рокிро▒ро░் роХுро▒்ро▒роЩ்роХро│ை

роХாрогுродро▓் - роЕро▒ிродро▓்; роХாрог்роЯро▓்; роЪрои்родிрод்родро▓்; роЪெроп்родро▓்; ро╡рогроЩ்роХுродро▓்.

рокிрой் - рокிрой்ройுроХை; рокிрой்рокроХ்роХроо்; роЗроЯроо்; роХроЯை; рокிро▒்роХாро▓роо்; родроо்рокி; рокிро▒роХு; роПро┤ройுро░ுрокு.

роХாрог்роХிро▒்рокிрой் - рокிрой்рокு роХாрог்роХிрой்ро▒ро╡рой் роиீродி роЪொро▓்роХிрой்ро▒ро╡рой்

роОрой் - роОрой்рой; ро╡ிройாро╡ிройைроХ்роХுро▒ிрок்рокு; роРропроХ்роХிро│ро╡ி; роЗроХро┤்роЪ்роЪிроХ்роХுро▒ிрок்рокு; 'роОродு'роЕро▓்ро▓родு'роОродை'роОройрок்рокொро░ுро│்рокроЯுроо்роЗроЯைроЪ்роЪொро▓்; родрой்рооைроТро░ுрооைроЪ்роЪொро▓்; ропாрой்роОрой்рокродு ро╡ேро▒்ро▒ுрооைрок் рокொро░ுро│ிро▓் роЕроЯைропுроо்родிро░ிрокு; роУро░்роЕроЪைроЪ்роЪொро▓்.

роХுро▒்ро▒роо் - рокிро┤ை; рокро┤ி; родுрой்рокроо்; роЙроЯро▒்роХுро▒ை; родீроЩ்роХு; роЕрокро░ாродроо்; родீроЯ்роЯு

роОрой்роХுро▒்ро▒ рооாроХுроо் - роОрой்рой родро╡ро▒ு/роХுро▒்ро▒роо் ро╡ро░ுроо்/роиிроХро┤ுроо் 

роЗро▒ை - роЙропро░роо்; родро▓ை; роХроЯро╡ுро│்; родро▓ைро╡рой்; роЕро░роЪрой்; роЙропро░்рои்родோрой்; рооூрод்родோрой்; рокெро░ுрооைропிро▒்роЪிро▒рои்родோрой்; роХрогро╡рой்; рокро▒ро╡ைропிро▒роХு; роХроЯрой்; ро╡ீроЯ்роЯிро▒рок்рокு; рооро▒ுрооொро┤ி; роорогிроХ்роХроЯ்роЯு; роХுроЯிропிро▒ை; роЪிро▒ுрооை; роЕро▒்рокроо்; роХாро▓ро╡ிро░ைро╡ு; роЪிро╡рой்; рокிро░роорой்; рооாрооро░роо்.

роЗро▒ைроХ்роХு - роЕрои்род родро▓ைро╡ройுроХ்роХு ?

Unpacking Each Word — Its Meaning and Impact

родрой் (ṯan) – one’s own, ownership of agency
ЁЯСЙ Establishes moral locus. The gaze is first inward, making accountability personal rather than abstract. It frames leadership as self-governance before governance.

роХுро▒்ро▒роо் (kuс╣Яс╣Яam) – fault; blame; harm; deficiency; stain
ЁЯСЙ A multi-valent term that spans moral error, practical harm, and reputational stain. This elasticity widens the verse’s jurisdiction from private flaw to public risk, raising the stakes for leaders.

родрой்роХுро▒்ро▒роо் (tankaс╣Яс╣Яam) – one’s own faults (including family/nation/org)
ЁЯСЙ Broadens “self” to systems under one’s care. Leaders inherit the faults of their house, team, or nation; evasion is impossible because stewardship fuses identity and domain.

роиீроХ்роХிрок் (n─лkkiс╣Я) – after discerning, then removing/correcting
ЁЯСЙ Not just deletion but a process arc: perceive → diagnose → rectify. It encodes reflection → reform → release as the prerequisite rhythm before looking outward.

рокிро▒ро░் (piс╣Яar) – others, outsiders
ЁЯСЙ Marks the ethical horizon. Only after inner rectification does the circle widen. It warns against premature moral export—judging others without finishing the work at home.

рокிро▒ро░்роХுро▒்ро▒роо் роХாрог்роХிро▒்рокிрой் (piс╣Яarkaс╣Яс╣Яam k─Бс╣Еkiс╣Яpin) – if one then judges others’ faults
ЁЯСЙ The conditional gate. “If (after that) one sees/speaks judgment” implies that outward critique is licensed only by prior self-purification; else it is procedurally invalid.
роОрой் (eс╣Й) – what/which? interrogative and deictic
ЁЯСЙ Injects a sharp self-question. Before blaming, the speaker must ask, “What then is my fault here?” The word turns judgment into self-audit at the decisive moment.

роОрой்роХுро▒்ро▒рооாроХுроо் (eс╣Йkuс╣Яс╣Яam ─Бkum) – becomes my fault
ЁЯСЙ Causal reversal. Unrighteous judging converts the other’s fault into mine—a jurisprudential boomerang. Authority misused is self-incriminating.

роЗро▒ைроХ்роХு (iс╣Яaikku) – to the Lord/Chief/Authority (the One above)
ЁЯСЙ Final court of appeal. Whether read as God, Conscience, Dharma, or Sovereign Law, it declares that accountability is vertical, not just social. Appearances can pass; answerability cannot.

Summary
  • The verse relocates judgment’s starting point to “self-as-steward,” expanding “self” to include one’s charge.
  • “роиீроХ்роХிрок்” encodes a disciplined correction cycle as the moral license for any outward critique.
  • The conditional “роХாрог்роХிро▒்рокிрой்” warns that judging others without prior self-rectification transmutes their fault into mine.
  • “роЗро▒ைроХ்роХு” fixes final accountability to a higher court—ethical, spiritual, or constitutional.
  • Final essence: In leadership, judgment without prior self-correction is itself a culpable fault before the Highest Authority.

Analytical Framework for Interpreting Each Kural

Tamil Grammar Analysis

  • Compound structure: “родрой் роХுро▒்ро▒роо்” (tatpuruс╣гa-like determinative: genitive sense “one’s-own fault” implied).
  • Verbal participle: “роиீроХ்роХிрок்” = “роиீроХ்роХி + рок்” (conjunctive participle), denoting prior completed action before the main clause; temporal-sequential force (“after removing”).
  • Object chain and conditional: “рокிро▒ро░் роХுро▒்ро▒роо் роХாрог்роХிро▒்рокிрой்” uses present progressive/gnomic “роХாрог்роХிро▒рой்” + conditional “-рокிрой்” compressed as “-рокிрой்” → “роХாрог்роХிро▒்рокிрой்” (if/when one judges/sees).
  • Deictic-interrogative pivot: “роОрой்” functions as interrogative pronoun triggering reflexive accountability: “what then is my fault?” morphologically concise, semantically loaded.
  • Copular transformation: “роОрой்роХுро▒்ро▒ рооாроХுроо்” uses “роЖроХுроо்” (becomes) to express conversion/attribution; “роОрой் + роХுро▒்ро▒роо் + роЖроХுроо்” → “becomes my fault.”
  • Dative of accountability: “роЗро▒ைроХ்роХு” (dative case “-роХ்роХு”) → to/for the Lord/Authority, marking recipient of responsibility/judgment.
  • Repetition for emphasis: “роХுро▒்ро▒роо்” thrice—anaphoric focus intensifying semantic core.
  • Meter: Kural venpa form (concise, balanced caesurae), enabling antithetic symmetry between inner removal and outer judgment.

Summary

  • “роиீроХ்роХிрок்” sets a completed-prior-action precondition.
  • Conditional “роХாрог்роХிро▒்рокிрой்” gates legitimacy of judging.
  • “роЖроХுроо்” encodes fault transference to the self.
  • Dative “роЗро▒ைроХ்роХு” fixes vertical accountability.

Lexical Analysis (word-choice, semantic range)

– Start with the building blocks: key terms, their shades of meaning.

  • “роХுро▒்ро▒роо்”: polysemy spans moral error, harm, deficiency, pollution, penalty; the poem leverages this breadth to cover ethical, operational, and reputational dimensions.
  • “роиீроХ்роХுродро▓்”: a semantic ladder—discern → separate → remove → reform; not mere subtraction but restorative correction.
  • “рокிро▒ро░்”: socially exterior, normatively distant; cues fairness and non-partiality as an ideal once the self is addressed.
  • “роХாрогுродро▓்”: more than “see”—recognize, assess, pronounce; in leadership, it shades into adjudication.
  • “роОрой்”: interrogative that flips perception back to the perceiver, enforcing reflexivity.
  • “роЗро▒ை”: range from God to sovereign to supreme norm; plural valence invites spiritual, constitutional, or institutional readings.

Summary

  • Key lexemes are deliberately multi-valent, widening scope from personal ethics to public governance.
  • The interrogative “роОрой்” forces reflexivity at the act of judgment.
  • “роЗро▒ை” universalizes the forum of accountability.

Structural Analysis (form and order of words)

– Show how those words are arranged in the Kural’s compact form.

  • Sequence architecture: Self (родрой்) → Removal (роиீроХ்роХிрок்) → Other (рокிро▒ро░்) → Conditional judgment (роХாрог்роХிро▒்рокிрой்) → Reflexive reversal (роОрой்роХுро▒்ро▒рооாроХுроо்) → Higher court (роЗро▒ைроХ்роХு).

  • Conditional logic: If-then forms an ethical circuit breaker; without the “if” condition met (self-correction), outward judgment loops back as guilt.

  • Ring emphasis: “роХுро▒்ро▒роо்” appears at self, other, and return-to-self positions—creating a ring where unpurified judgment closes on the judge.

  • Vertical closure: ends on “роЗро▒ைроХ்роХு,” lifting the discourse from horizontal sociality to vertical ultimacy.

Summary

  • The couplet is a conditional loop: unlicensed judging returns as self-fault.

  • Structure moves inward → outward → upward, ensuring closure in a higher forum.

Aesthetic/Poetic Analysis (style, imagery, brevity, literary effect)

– Highlight beauty, terseness, rhythm, double meanings.
(This works well right after structure, since you’re still close to the “form” side.)
  • Compression: Vast ethical logic in crystalline brevity; every word bears juridical weight.

  • Repetition: Triple “роХுро▒்ро▒роо்” works like a drumbeat—self, other, self—audibly enacting moral recursion.

  • Contrast: “роиீроХ்роХிрок்” (cleansing) vs “роХாрог்роХிро▒்рокிрой்” (judging) creates a cleansing–condemning polarity.

  • Cadence: Participial glide into conditional, then sudden pivot with “роОрой்,” producing a catch in the breath that mirrors conscience awakening.

  • Final lift: “роЗро▒ைроХ்роХு” gives a resonant fade—more echo than period—invoking awe and accountability.

Summary

  • Sound and repetition reinforce the ethical ricochet.

  • The closing “роЗро▒ைроХ்роХு” provides a solemn, upward resonance.

Hermeneutical Analysis (principle of interpretation, coherence with whole text)

– Open up interpretation: how does this Kural connect with its chapter/theme, or the text as a whole?
  • Inner-first canon: Read alongside the tradition of self-purification before admonition—the verse guards against hypocrisy and weaponized morality.

  • Leadership lens: Expands “родрой்” to stewardship domains—home, team, polity; thus leaders must institute internal audits before external enforcement.

  • Judicial ethics: The text functions as procedure, not mere advice—due process begins with the judge’s integrity.

  • Theological vs constitutional: “роЗро▒ைроХ்роХு” can be God/Dharma or the State/Constitution; either way, higher law scrutinizes the scrutinizers.

  • Practical hermeneutic: The meaning ripens in practice—only those who habitually “роиீроХ்роХிрок்” earn moral clarity to judge well.

Summary

  • The kural prescribes procedural righteousness: cleanse self/system, then judge.

  • Authority is examined by a higher norm; hypocrisy voids jurisdiction.

Epistemological Analysis (nature and source of knowledge)

– Probe the claim to knowledge: is it experiential, ethical, spiritual, observational?
  • Problem of access: One’s own faults are harder to perceive due to bias/blind spots; the verse demands methods (reflection, counsel, audit) to know-and-remove them.

  • Validity condition: Knowledge-claims about others’ faults lack epistemic warrant unless preceded by inner correction; self-knowledge legitimizes outward knowledge.

  • Error transference: Mistaken appraisal (born of unclean lenses) creates false positives; the verse treats this as knowledge failure punished as moral fault.

  • Reliability: “роиீроХ்роХிрок்” implies iterative error-correction, upgrading the reliability of one’s judgments.

Summary

  • Epistemic humility is mandatory; cleanse perception to license evaluation.

  • Without inner correction, judgments are unreliable and culpable.

Ontological Analysis (what is being spoken of)

– Identify the “being/reality” in focus: life, virtue, world, self, society, etc.
  • Nature of “fault”: Not merely act-based; it adheres as stain/defect to the agent and the system they helm.

  • Identity-stewardship fusion: “родрой்” ontologically includes one’s sphere of responsibility; leader and domain are entwined.

  • Conversion dynamic: “роОрой்роХுро▒்ро▒рооாроХுроо்” states a real transformation—misjudgment is a new fault, not just a procedural glitch.

  • Teleology: “роЗро▒ைроХ்роХு” posits a final cause/end—an ultimate order in which actions are measured.

Summary

  • Fault is a real adhesion to person-and-polity.

  • Misused judgment ontologically becomes the judge’s fault under ultimate order.

Ethical/Practical Analysis (virtue prescribed, conduct demanded)

– End with the directive force: the actionable takeaway — what life-guidance is being commanded.
  • Practice sequence for leaders:

    • Diagnose own/system faults (list, evidence, witnesses).

    • “роиீроХ்роХுрок்” cycle: remediate, document, verify closure.

    • Only then open others’ cases with transparency and appeal routes.

  • Guardrails: conflict-of-interest checks; peer review; disclosure of personal rectifications to model integrity.

  • Communication: Replace blame-first language with process-first language; ask “роОрой்?” as a standing pre-brief question.

  • Accountability: Maintain an “роЗро▒ைроХ்роХு” ledger—what would stand before the highest court (conscience/constitution/God)?

  • Sanctions: When leaders violate this order, treat judgments issued as procedurally tainted; review and rectify.

Summary

  • Ethical order: self-correction → licensed judgment → upward accountability.

  • Operationalize with audits, COI checks, and transparent procedure.

Layered Contextual Understanding — Why, Where, What, When, How?

Why this metaphor? (Hermeneutical + Ontological)
The Kural frames fault not as an isolated act but as a stain that clings to self and system. By tying judgment of others to prior removal of one’s own faults, it turns justice into a reflexive mirror—where hypocrisy itself becomes the new fault before the ultimate Authority.

Where does this apply? (Ethical/Practical)
It applies wherever leadership, governance, or stewardship is exercised—family, institutions, or state. Leaders must first resolve internal flaws before claiming the right to scrutinize others, else their authority collapses into culpability.

What is the key idea? (Epistemological)
Knowledge of others’ faults lacks validity unless purified by self-correction. True judgment becomes reliable only when the lens of perception has been cleansed of one’s own distortions.

When is it relevant? (Hermeneutical + Ethical/Practical)
It is most relevant when authority is about to pass judgment—be it in the courtroom, assembly, or family dispute. The timing is crucial: only after rectifying personal or systemic error does outward judgment gain legitimacy.

How is it expressed poetically? (Lexical + Structural + Aesthetic)

  • “роХுро▒்ро▒роо்” repeats thrice, circling from self to others and back to self, dramatizing the boomerang of blame.

  • The participial “роиீроХ்роХிрок்” encodes a prior-action sequence: purification must precede judgment.

  • The sudden interrogative “роОрой்” arrests the flow, pulling the spotlight onto the judge’s conscience.

  • The closure “роЗро▒ைроХ்роХு” lifts the verse beyond human courts to a higher tribunal, giving it solemn resonance.

Final English Meaning (1–2 lines distilled meaning)
One who judges others without first correcting his own faults makes those very faults his own in the eyes of the Highest Authority. True justice begins with self-purification before extending to others.

High Level Meaning

родрой் роХுро▒்ро▒роо் роиீроХ்роХிрок்
ЁЯСЙ рооுродро▓ிро▓் роТро░ுро╡ро░் родрой்ройுроЯைроп рокிро┤ைроХро│், роХுро▒ைроХро│், роиிро░்ро╡ாроХрод் родро╡ро▒ுроХро│ை роЕроЯைропாро│роо் роХрог்роЯு родிро░ுрод்родிроХ் роХொро│்ро│ ро╡ேрог்роЯுроо். родрой்ройைроХ் роЪுрод்родрок்рокроЯுрод்родிроп рокிрой்рокே роЕро╡ро░் роЙрог்рооைропாрой роироо்рокிроХ்роХை рооро▒்ро▒ுроо் роородிрок்рокைрок் рокெро▒ுро╡ாро░்.

рокிро▒ро░் роХுро▒்ро▒роо் роХாрог்роХிро▒்рокிрой்
ЁЯСЙ родрой்ройுроЯைроп роХுро▒ைроХро│ை роЪро░ி роЪெроп்род рокிрой் роороЯ்роЯுрооே рокிро▒ро░் роХுро▒்ро▒роЩ்роХро│ை роЖро░ாропுроо் роЙро░ிрооை роХிроЯைроХ்роХுроо். роЗро▓்ро▓ைропெройிро▓் роЪாроЯро▓் ро╡ெро▒ுроо் ро╡ாро░்род்родைропாроХி, роОрои்родрод் родாроХ்роХрооுроо் роПро▒்рокроЯாродு.

роОрой் роХுро▒்ро▒роо் роЖроХுроо் роЗро▒ைроХ்роХு
ЁЯСЙ родрой் роХுро▒ைроХро│ை роиீроХ்роХாрооро▓் рокிро▒ро░ைроЪ் роЪாроЯிройாро▓், роЕрои்родроХ் роХுро▒்ро▒рооே родрой்ройிроЯрооே родிро░ுроо்рокுроо். роЪрооூроХрод்родிро▓ுроо், роЙропро░்рои்род роиீродிропிро▓ுроо் роЕродு роЕро╡ро░ுроХ்роХே рокொро▒ுрок்рокாроХி, роЕро╡ро░родு роЖроЯ்роЪி роироо்рокிроХ்роХைропை роЗро┤роХ்роХுроо்.

ЁЯУЭ рокொро┤ிрок்рокுро░ை - Full Meaning

рооுро┤ுрок்рокொро░ுро│் — Full Meaning in Tamil

родрой் роХுро▒்ро▒роЩ்роХро│ை роиீроХ்роХாрооро▓் рокிро▒ро░ிрой் роХுро▒்ро▒роЩ்роХро│ை роХாрог்рокро╡рой், рокிро▒ро░் роХுро▒்ро▒род்родைроЪ் роЪொро▓்ро▓ுроо் родро░ுрогрод்родிро▓ேропே роЕрои்род роХுро▒்ро▒роо் родрой்ройிроЯрооே ро╡рои்родு роЪேро░ுроо்; роПройெройிро▓் родрой் рооீродு роХுро▒்ро▒роЩ்роХро│் роЗрой்ройுроо் роЗро░ுроХ்роХிрой்ро▒рой. родрой்ройைроХ் роХро│ைрои்родு роЪுрод்родрок்рокроЯுрод்родிроп рокிрой்рокே роиீродிропுроо் роЖроЯ்роЪிропுроо் родொроЯроЩ்роХ рооுроЯிропுроо்; роЗро▓்ро▓ைропேро▓் роЗро▒ைро╡ройிроЯрооுроо் роЙрой்ройрод роиீродிропிроЯрооுроо் (роЪроЯ்роЯрод்родிроЯрооுроо்) роЕрои்род роХுро▒்ро▒роо் роЕро╡ро░ுроХ்роХே ро╡рои்родு роЪேро░ுроо்

Mirror of Justice – The faults we project on others return to us when uncorrected. Inspired by Nicholas Roerich’s symbolic clarity.

“роХுро▒ро│ிрой் родொроЯроХ்роХрод்родிро▓் родрой் роОрой்ро▒ுроо், рооுроЯிро╡ிро▓் роЗро▒ைроХ்роХு роОрой்ро▒ுроо் ро╡ைрод்родிро░ுрок்рокродрой் рооூро▓роо், родிро░ுро╡ро│்ро│ுро╡ро░் роиீродிропெрой்рокродு родрой்ройைроХ் роХро│ைрои்родு роЪுрод்родрок்рокроЯுрод்родிроп рокிрой்рокே родொроЯроЩ்роХுроХிро▒родு роОрой்ро▒ுроо், роЗро▒ுродிропிро▓் роЙропро░் роиீродிроорой்ро▒род்родிрой் рооுрой் (higher tribunal) роиிро▒்роХிро▒родு роОрой்ро▒ுроо் роЙрогро░்род்родுроХிро▒ாро░். роЗрои்род роТро▓ி рокро▓ рооро░рокுроХро│ோроЯு роТрод்родிроЪைроХ்роХிро▒родு: роХாроЩ்рокூроЪிропро╕் (Confucius) ‘Self-cultivation must precede governance’ роОройроХ் роХூро▒ிройாро░்; роХிро▒ிро╕்родро╡ роЪுро╡ிроЪேро╖роо் (Christian Gospel) ‘Why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye when you have a plank in your own?’ роОрой்ро▒ு роОроЪ்роЪро░ிроХ்роХிро▒родு.”

роТро░ுро╡ро░் рооுродро▓ிро▓் родрой்ройுроЯைроп роХுро▒்ро▒роЩ்роХро│ை роХрог்роЯро▒ிрои்родு родிро░ுрод்родிроХ்роХொро│்ро│ ро╡ேрог்роЯுроо். роЗроЩ்роХு ‘родрой்роХுро▒்ро▒роо்’ роОрой்ро▒ாро▓் родройிрок்рокроЯ்роЯ роХுро▒்ро▒роЩ்роХро│் роороЯ்роЯுрооро▓்ро▓, роХுроЯுроо்рокроо் роЕро▓்ро▓родு роЖроЯ்роЪிропிро▓் роЙро│்ро│ роХுро▒ைроХро│ுроо் роЕроЯроЩ்роХுроо்.

роЕро╡்ро╡ாро▒ு родрой்ройுроЯைроп роХுро▒்ро▒роЩ்роХро│ை роиீроХ்роХிро╡ிроЯ்роЯு рокிро▒ро░் роХுро▒்ро▒роЩ்роХро│ை роЖро░ாропுроо் роТро░ுро╡ро░ுроХ்роХு роОрои்родрод் родро╡ро▒ுроо் роиிроХро┤ுроо்? роиிроХро┤ாродு роОрой்ро▒ு роиேро░роЯிропாроХроЪ் роЪொро▓்ро▓ாрооро▓், роЕрод்родроХைроп роиிро▓ைрооைропிро▓் родро╡ро▒ு роЙрог்роЯாроХாродு роОрой்рокродைроХ் роХுро▒ிроХ்роХிро▒ாро░் родிро░ுро╡ро│்ро│ுро╡ро░்.

рокிро▒ро░் роХுро▒்ро▒роЩ்роХро│ை роХாрог்рокродு роОро│ிродு; роЕродிро▓் роироороХ்роХுроЪ் роЪெроп்роп ро╡ேрог்роЯிроп роЙро┤ைрок்рокு роОродுро╡ுроо் роЗро▓்ро▓ை. роЖройாро▓் родрой் роХுро▒்ро▒роЩ்роХро│ைроЪ் роЪро░ிроЪெроп்роп рооுропро▒்роЪி родேро╡ைрок்рокроЯுро╡родாро▓் рокро▓ро░் роЕродைрод் родро╡ிро░்роХ்роХிрой்ро▒ройро░்.

роЗрои்родроХ் роХுро▒ро│் роиுроЯ்рокрооாрой роЙро│ро╡ிропро▓ை ро╡ெро│ிрок்рокроЯுрод்родுроХிро▒родு: рокிро▒ро░் роХுро▒்ро▒роЩ்роХро│ைроЪ் роЪாроЯுро╡родு роОро│ிродு, рооுропро▒்роЪி роЗро▓்ро▓ாрооро▓ேропே роЪெроп்роп рооுроЯிропுроо். роЖройாро▓் родрой்ройுроЯைроп роХுро▒்ро▒роЩ்роХро│ை роиீроХ்роХுро╡родு роХроЯிройрооுроо் родாро┤்рооைропுроо் ро╡ேрог்роЯுроо். ро╕்роЯோропிроХ் (Stoic) родрод்родுро╡роЮாройி роОрокிроХ்роЯெроЯро╕் (Epictetus) роЪொрой்ройродு роЗродைропே роЙро▒ுродிрок்рокроЯுрод்родுроХிро▒родு: ‘If you want to improve, be content to be thought foolish and stupid’ — (роиீ рооுрой்ройேро▒ ро╡ிро░ுроо்рокிройாро▓், рооூроЯройாроХро╡ுроо் роЪிро░ிрок்рокுроХ்роХுро░ிропро╡ройாроХро╡ுроо் роХро░ுродрок்рокроЯрод் родропாро░் роЖроХ ро╡ேрог்роЯுроо்). роЙрог்рооைропாрой роЪீро░்родிро░ுрод்родроо் роОрой்ро▒ாро▓், рокுроХро┤ைрок் рокெро▒ுро╡родро▒்роХு рооுрой் рооройро╡ро▓ிропை роПро▒்роХுроо் родுрогிро╡ு ро╡ேрог்роЯுроо்

рооேро▓ுроо், рокிро▒ро░் роХுро▒்ро▒роЩ்роХро│ைроЪ் роЪொро▓்ро▓ுро╡родாро▓் роироороХ்роХு роОро╡்ро╡ிрод роирой்рооைропுроо் роЗро▓்ро▓ை (роирог்рокройை роиро▓்ро╡ро┤ிрок்рокроЯுрод்родுро╡родு родройி ро╡ிро╖ропроо்). роЖройாро▓் родрой் роХுро▒்ро▒роЩ்роХро│ை роиீроХ்роХி роЪெроо்рооைрок்рокроЯுрод்родிроХ்роХொрог்роЯாро▓் роироороХ்роХு роирой்рооைропுроо், роХுроЯுроо்рокрод்родிро▒்роХுроо் роЪрооுродாропрод்родிро▒்роХுроо் роЙрокропோроХрооுроо் роХிроЯைроХ்роХுроо்.

роЕро░роЪро░ிрой் роиிро▓ைрооைропிро▓ுроо் роЗродுро╡ே рокொро░ுрои்родுроо். роЕро╡ро░் роЖроЯ்роЪிропிро▓ுроо் роиிро░்ро╡ாроХрод்родிро▓ுроо் роЙро│்ро│ роХுро▒ைроХро│ை рооுродро▓ிро▓் роиீроХ்роХி рокிро▒ро░் роХுро▒்ро▒роЩ்роХро│ை роиீроХ்роХிройாро▓், роЕро╡ро░ுроХ்роХுроХ் роХுро▒்ро▒рооோ роХுро▒்ро▒рок்рокாроЯுோ роПро▒்рокроЯாродு.

роЖроЯ்роЪிропாро│ро░்роХро│ுроХ்роХுроо் роиிро░்ро╡ாроХிроХро│ுроХ்роХுроо் роЗроХ்роХро▓்ро╡ி рооேро▓ுроо் роЖро┤рооாроХிро▒родு: роТро░ு роЕро░роЪрой் родрой் роиிро░்ро╡ாроХрод் родுро▒ைропிро▓் роЙро│்ро│ роХுро▒்ро▒роЩ்роХро│ை рооுродро▓ிро▓் роиீроХ்роХி ро╡ிроЯ்роЯுрок் рокிро▒ро░் роХுро▒்ро▒роЩ்роХро│ை роЖро░ாроп்рои்родாро▓், роЕро╡рой் роХுро▒்ро▒рооро▒்ро▒ роЖро│ுрооைропாроХ роиிро▒்рокாрой். роЗродு рооройுро╕்рооிро░ுродி (Manusmriti) рокோродройைропோроЯு роТро▓ிроХ்роХிро▒родு: роЖроЯ்роЪிропாро│ро░்роХро│் родроЩ்роХро│் роХுро▒்ро▒роЩ்роХро│ை роиீроХ்роХிроп рокிро▒роХே рокிро▒ро░ைрод் родрог்роЯிроХ்роХ ро╡ேрог்роЯுроо். роХுро▒ро│ிрой் роЗро▒ுродிропிро▓் ро╡ро░ுроо் роЗро▒ைроХ்роХு роОрой்ро▒ роЪொро▓் рооிроХுрои்род роХройрод்родை роЙроЯைропродு: роЗро▒ைро╡рой், родро░்роороо் (Dharma), роЪроЯ்роЯроо் (Law) роЖроХிропро╡ро▒்ро▒ிрой் рооுрой்рокே роиீродிрокродி родாройுроо் роиீродிрокродி роЪெроп்ропрок்рокроЯுроХிро▒ாро░். роЗроЩ்роХு ро╡роЮ்роЪроо்/роЗро░роЯ்роЯை рооுроХроо் (Hypocrisy) роОрой்рокродு роЪாродாро░рогроХ் роХுро▒்ро▒роо் роЕро▓்ро▓; роЕродு роЗро░ுрок்рокிрой் роТро┤ுроЩ்роХைропே роХுро▓ைроХ்роХுроо் роХுро▒்ро▒рооாроХுроо் (fault in the order of being).

Weeds Before Words – A leader must clear his own field before judging others. Inspired by Marc Chagall’s metaphorical imagery.

роОрои்родро╡ொро░ு рооройிродройுроо் родрой்ройிроЯрооே роХுро▒்ро▒роЩ்роХро│் роЗро░ுроХ்роХுроо்рокோродு рокிро▒ро░ைроЪ் роЪாроЯிройாро▓், роОродிро░ாро│ி роЙроЯройே роЪொро▓்ро╡ாрой்: ‘рооுродро▓ிро▓் роЙрой்ройை роиீ родிро░ுрод்родிроХ்роХொро│்; рокிрой்рокு роОроЩ்роХро│ைрод் родிро░ுрод்родро▓ாроо்.’ роЗродைропுроо் роиிройைро╡ிро▓் роХொро│்роХ.

“роЗрои்родроХ் роХுро▒ро│் роТро░ு роХрог்рогாроЯி рокோро▓ роЪெропро▓்рокроЯுроХிро▒родு: роЕродு родрой் роХுро▒்ро▒род்родிро▓ிро░ுрои்родு родொроЯроЩ்роХி, рокிро▒ро░் роХுро▒்ро▒роЩ்роХро│ை роиோроХ்роХிроЪ் роЪெро▓்роХிро▒родு, рокிрой்ройро░் рооீрог்роЯுроо் родрой்ройிроЯрооே родிро░ுроо்рокுроХிро▒родு. роЪீро░்родிро░ுрод்родроо் роЗро▓்ро▓ாрооро▓் роЪெроп்ропுроо் роиீродிрокродி ро╡ேро▓ை, рокுродிроп роХுро▒்ро▒рооாроХрод் родிро░ுроо்рокிрок் рокாроп்роХிро▒родு. роХாроЩ்рокூроЪிроп (Confucian), роХிро▒ிро╕்родро╡ (Christian), ро╕்роЯோропிроХ் (Stoic), родро░்роо (Dharmic) рооро░рокுроХро│் роЕройைрод்родுроо் роЗроЩ்роХு роТрой்ро▒ிрогைроХிрой்ро▒рой: родрой்ройைроХ் роХро│ைрои்родு роЪீро░்родிро░ுрод்родுро╡родுродாрой் роЙрог்рооைропாрой роЖроЯ்роЪிроХ்роХாрой ро╡ேро░ாроХுроо். родிро░ுро╡ро│்ро│ுро╡ро░ிрой் роЪுро░ுроХ்роХрооாрой роХுро▒ро│ிро▓், родрой் роХுро▒்ро▒роЩ்роХро│ை роиீроХ்роХாрооро▓் рокிро▒ро░ைроЪ் роЪாроЯுрокро╡рой் родாройே родрой்ройுроЯைроп роХுро▒்ро▒ро╡ாро│ிропாроХ рооாро▒ுроХிро▒ாрой்; роЖройாро▓் родрой்ройைроЪ் роЪீро░்родிро░ுрод்родிропро╡рой் роЙропро░்рои்род роиீродிроорой்ро▒род்родிрой் (highest law) рооுрой் роХுро▒்ро▒рооро▒்ро▒ро╡ройாроХ роиிро▒்роХிро▒ாрой்.”

рооро▒்ро▒ роЙро░ைроХро│் — Interpretations by Other Tamil Commentators

рокро░ிрооேро▓ро┤роХро░் роЙро░ை

родрой் роХுро▒்ро▒роо் роиீроХ்роХிрок் рокிро▒ро░் роХுро▒்ро▒роо் роХாрог்роХிро▒்рокிрой் - рооுрой்ройро░்род் родрой் роХுро▒்ро▒род்родைроХ் роХрог்роЯு роХроЯிрои்родு, рокிрой்ройро░்рок் рокிро▒ро░் роХுро▒்ро▒роЩ்роХாрог ро╡ро▓்ро▓ройாропிрой்; роЗро▒ைроХ்роХு роЖроХுроо் роХுро▒்ро▒роо் роОрой் - роЕро░роЪройுроХ்роХு роЖроХроХ்роХроЯро╡ роХுро▒்ро▒роо் ропாродு? 

ро╡ிро│роХ்роХроо் 
('роЕро░роЪройுроХ்роХுрод் родрой் роХுро▒்ро▒роо் роХроЯிропா ро╡ро┤ிропே рокிро▒ро░் роХுро▒்ро▒роо் роХроЯிродро▓் роХுро▒்ро▒рооாроо்; роЕродு роХроЯிрои்родро╡ро┤ி рооுро▒ை роЪெроп்родро▓ாроо்' роОрой்рокாро░், 'роОрой் роХுро▒்ро▒роо் роЖроХுроо்' роОрой்ро▒ாро░்; роОройро╡ே, родрой் роХுро▒்ро▒роо் роХроЯிрои்родро╡ройே рооுро▒ை роЪெроп்родро▒்роХு роЙро░ிропро╡рой் роОрой்рокродாропிро▒்ро▒ு. роЗро╡ை роиாрой்роХு рокாроЯ்роЯாройுроо் роЕро╡ро▒்ро▒родு роХроЯிродро▒்рокாроЯு рокொродுро╡роХைропாро▓் роХூро▒рок்рокроЯ்роЯродு. роЗройிроЪ் роЪிро▒рок்рокு ро╡роХைропாро▓் роХூро▒ுрок.)

рокாрооро░ро░ுроХ்роХுроо் рокро░ிрооேро▓ро┤роХро░் роОро│ிроп роЙро░ை - роЪி.роЗро░ாроЬேрои்родிро░рой் 

роорогроХ்роХுроЯро╡ро░் роЙро░ை

родройроХ்роХுро│்ро│ роХுро▒்ро▒род்родை роиீроХ்роХிрок் рокிро▒ро░்рооாроЯ்роЯுро│்ро│ роХுро▒்ро▒род்родை роЖро░ாропро╡ро▓்ро▓ройாропிрой் роЕро░роЪройுроХ்роХு роОрой்рой роХுро▒்ро▒ рооுро│родாроо். роЗродு родрой்рооாроЯ்роЯுро│்ро│ роХுро▒்ро▒род்родை роиீроХ்роХுродро▓ே ропрой்ро▒ிрок் рокிро▒ро░் рооாроЯ்роЯுро│்ро│ роХுро▒்ро▒род்родைропுроо் роХроЯிроп ро╡ேрог்роЯுрооெрой்ро▒родு. 

рооு.ро╡ро░родро░ாроЪройாро░் роЙро░ை

рооுрой்ройே родрой் роХுро▒்ро▒род்родைроХ் роХрог்роЯு роиீроХ்роХி рокிро▒роХு рокிро▒ро░ுроЯைропроХ் роХுро▒்ро▒род்родை
роЖро░ாропро╡ро▓்ро▓ро╡ройாройாро▓், родро▓ைро╡ройுроХ்роХு роОрой்рой роХுро▒்ро▒рооாроХுроо்

роЪாро▓роорой் рокாрок்рокைропா роЙро░ை

рокроЯிроХ்роХாродро╡ро░் рооுродро▓ிро▓் родрой் роХுро▒்ро▒род்родைроХ் роХрог்роЯு ро╡ிро▓роХ்роХிрок் рокிро▒роХு роЕроЯுрод்родро╡ро░் роХுро▒்ро▒род்родைроХ் роХாрогுроо் роЖро▒்ро▒ро▓் рооிроХ்роХ роЕро░роЪிро▒்роХுроХ் роХுро▒்ро▒роо் роПродுроо் ро╡ро░ாродு!.

рокுро▓ிропூро░்роХ் роХேроЪிроХрой் роЙро░ை

родрой் роХுро▒்ро▒род்родைропுроо் ро╡ро░ாрооро▓் роиீроХ்роХிроХ் роХொрог்роЯு, рокிро▒ро░் роХுро▒்ро▒роЩ்роХро│ைропுроо் роХрог்роЯро▒ிрои்родு роиீроХ்роХுро╡ாройாройாро▓், роЕро░роЪройுроХ்роХு роОрой்рой роХுро▒்ро▒роо் роЙрог்роЯாроХுроо்?

роХுро▒ро│ுроо் рокொро░ுро│ுроо் - рокா.ро░ாроХро╡рой் роЙро░ை 

роЕро╡ройிро╡рой் рокроХ்роХроЩ்роХро│் - роЕро╖ோроХ் роЪுрок்ро░роорогிропрой் роЙро░ை

роЕро╖ோроХ் (роЗродிро▓் роЕро╡ро░் роЪொрой்рой роиிроХро┤்ро╡ு роХாрои்родி ро╡ாро┤்ро╡ிро▓் роироЯрои்род роиிроХро┤்ро╡ு)

Snippets from Orator Bharathi Bhaskar

ропாрой் родрооிро┤் роХாрогொро│ி 

ро▓ிроЯிропрой் роиாродро╕்ро╡ро░роо் -роЗрой் роХுро▒ро│ிроЪைроХ்роХாро╡ிропроо் - рокாроЯро▓் ро╡роЯிро╡ிро▓்

(Lydian Nadhaswaram - Thirukkural 1330 - Music Ethos)

рооேро▓ுроо்/More

роЮா. родேро╡роиேропрок் рокாро╡ாрогро░் роЙро░ை
родрой் роХுро▒்ро▒роо் роиீроХ்роХிрок் рокிро▒ро░்роХுро▒்ро▒роо் роХாрог்роХிро▒்рокிрой் - рооுрой்рокு родрой் роХுро▒்ро▒род்родைроХ் роХрог்роЯு роЕродை роиீроХ்роХிро╡ிроЯ்роЯுрок் рокிрой்рокு рокிро▒ро░் роХுро▒்ро▒род்родைроХ்роХாрог ро╡ро▓்ро▓ройாропிрой்; роЗро▒ைроХ்роХு роЖроХுроо் роХுро▒்ро▒роо் роОрой் - роЕро░роЪройுроХ்роХு ро╡ро░роХ்роХூроЯிроп роХுро▒்ро▒роо் ропாродு ? роТрой்ро▒ு рооிро▓்ро▓ை.

роЗродு роХுроЯிроХро│ிрой் ро╡ро┤роХ்роХுрод் родீро░்род்родுрод் родрог்роЯிрод்родро▓் рокро▒்ро▒ிропродு. рокிро▒ро░் роХுро▒்ро▒роЩ்роХрог்роЯு родрог்роЯிрок்рокро╡рой் рооுрой்рокு родாрой் роЕроХ்роХுро▒்ро▒рооிро▓்ро▓ாродро╡ройா ропிро░ுрод்родро▓் ро╡ேрог்роЯுроо். роЕро░роЪрой் родрой் роХுро▒்ро▒род்родை роиீроХ்роХாродு рокிро▒ро░் роХுро▒்ро▒род்родிро▒்роХுрод் родрог்роЯிрок்рокродே роХு ро▒் ро▒ рооா роо். роЕроЩ்роЩрой роорой்ро▒ிрод்родрой் роХுро▒்ро▒род்родை роиீроХ்роХிропрокிрой் родрог்роЯிрок்рокிрой் роЕродு рооுро▒ைроЪெроп்родро▓ாроо். роЕродு роЕро╡рой் роХроЯрооைропாродро▓ாро▓் 'роОрой்роХுро▒்ро▒ рооாроХுроо்' роОрой்ро▒ாро░். 'роХிро▓்' роЖро▒்ро▒ро▓ுрогро░்род்родுроо் роЗроЯைроиிро▓ை.

родрой்ройிроЯроо் роХுро▒்ро▒роо் роЙро│்ро│рокோродு, роЕроЯுрод்родро╡ро░்роХро│ிрой் роХுро▒்ро▒род்родைроХ் роХрог்роЯிроХ்роХро╡ோ, родрог்роЯிроХ்роХро╡ோ рооுроЯிропாродு рокோро╡родு роЗрой்ройுроо் роУро░் роЕро╡ро▓роо்.

роЕродைропுроо் ро╡ро│்ро│ுро╡ро░் роЪொро▓்ро▓ுроХிро▒ாро░்.

родрой்роХுро▒்ро▒роо் роиீроХ்роХிрок் рокிро▒ро░்роХுро▒்ро▒роЩ் роХாрог்роХிро▒்рокிрой் 
роОрой்роХுро▒்ро▒ рооாроХுроо் роЗро▒ைроХ்роХு

родрой்ройுроЯைроп роХுро▒்ро▒роЩ்роХро│ை рооுродро▓ிро▓் роиீроХ்роХிро╡ிроЯ்роЯு, рокிро▒роХு роЕроЯுрод்родро╡ро░்роХро│ுроЯைроп роХுро▒்ро▒род்родை роиீроХ்роХிройாро▓் роорой்ройро╡ройுроХ்роХு роТро░ு роХுро▒்ро▒рооுроо் ро╡ро░ாродு.

родрой்ройுроЯைроп роХுро▒்ро▒род்родை роиீроХ்роХிроХ் роХொро│்ро│ாрод рокோродு, рокிро▒ро░ுроХ்роХு роиீродி роЪொро▓்ро▓ுро╡родு роироХைроЪ் роЪுро╡ைропைрод்родாрой் роЙрог்роЯாроХ்роХுроо்.

роЯாроХ்роЯро░் роТро░ுро╡ро░் роХைропிро▓் роЪிроХро░ெроЯ்роЯைрок் рокுроХைроп ро╡ிроЯ்роЯுроХ் роХொрог்роЯே, роиோропாро│ிропைрок் рокாро░்род்родு роЪிроХро░ெроЯ் рокிроЯிроХ்роХாродே роОрой்ро▒ாро▓் роиோропாро│ி роЪிро░ிрок்рокாройா роЗро▓்ро▓ைропா?

ро╡ро░ுрооாройрод்родிро▒்роХாроХ роЕро░роЪே родро╡ро▒ாрой роЪெропро▓்роХро│ிро▓் роЗро▒роЩ்роХுрооாройாро▓் роХுроЯிроороХройுроо் ро╡ро░ுрооாройрод்родிро▒்роХாроХ родрой்рооாройрод்родை ро╡ிро▒்роХுроо் роЪெропро▓ைроЪ் роЪெроп்ропрод் родுрогிро╡ாро░்роХро│் роЗро▓்ро▓ைропா? роХோрой் роОро╡்ро╡ро┤ி роХுроЯிроХро│் роЕро╡்ро╡ро┤ிродாройே?

рокிро▒ро░்роХுро▒்ро▒роо் роиீроХ்роХுроо் рооுрой்ройே родрой் роХுро▒்ро▒роо் роиீроХ்роХு. рооுродро▓ிро▓் роЙрой் рооுродுроХைрок் рокாро░் роОрой்рокродு роХிро░ாроород்родுрок் рокро┤рооொро┤ி.

роЕроЯுрод்родро╡ройைроХ் роХுро▒்ро▒роо் роЪொро▓்ро▓ роЪுроЯ்роЯு ро╡ிро░ро▓ை роиீ роиீроЯ்роЯுроо் рокோродு, рооро▒்ро▒ ро╡ிро░ро▓்роХро│் роЙрой்ройைроЪ் роЪுроЯ்роЯுроХிрой்ро▒рой роОрой்роХிро▒родு роТро░ு рокாроЯ்роЯு.

Comprehensive English Meaning & Poetic Rendering

The Judge and His Own Shadow – A Universal Reading of Kural 436

The Inner Court of Justice
Tiruvalluvar’s Kural 436 declares that if one judges others without first removing one’s own faults, those very faults return upon the judge. The word родрой்роХுро▒்ро▒роо் carries layered meanings: it is not only one’s personal errors but also the flaws within one’s household, community, or governance. By placing self at the opening of the couplet and роЗро▒ைроХ்роХு at its end, the poet makes clear that judgment begins only after self-purification and ends in the scrutiny of a higher tribunal. This rhythm echoes across traditions: Confucius taught that “self-cultivation (ф┐ош║л) must precede governance,” while the Christian Gospel warns, “Why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye when you have a plank in your own?” Both metaphors reinforce Tiruvalluvar’s call that correction of others becomes valid only after inward cleansing.

Infamous Crown - A corrupt panchayat head loses respect as villagers laugh at his dishonesty, showing that broken values tarnish true leadership. - Inspired by Marc Chagall’s metaphorical clarity

The Practical and Psychological Difficulty
The Kural also unveils a subtle psychology: finding faults in others is easy, almost effortless, but removing one’s own is laborious and humbling. To detect, acknowledge, and rectify personal flaws demands sincerity, courage, and sustained effort, which is why many prefer the easier work of pointing at others. The Stoic Epictetus framed the same truth: “If you want to improve, be content to be thought foolish and stupid,” meaning inner reform carries social cost as well as personal discipline. Modern leadership science affirms this—Harvard Business School’s model of Authentic Leadership insists that credibility comes only when leaders own and correct their blind spots first. Without such groundwork, any criticism of others is hollow and unconvincing.

The Leader and the Higher Tribunal
For rulers and administrators, the teaching deepens: if a king removes the faults within his own administration before identifying the faults of others, he becomes unassailable in moral authority. This resonates with the Manusmriti, which warns rulers that they must be free of vice before punishing their subjects. The final word роЗро▒ைроХ்роХு carries immense weight: it places the judge himself under judgment, whether by God, Dharma, or the Law. Hypocrisy here is not just poor leadership but a fault in the order of being itself. Contemporary research in Wharton and Stanford likewise confirms that teams trust correction only when leaders model accountability; without this, authority collapses both in human courts and before conscience.

 

Credible Leadership – Authority comes from fixing one’s own house first. Inspired by modern symbolic art clarity.

The Philosophical Closure
The couplet thus acts as a mirror. It begins with self-fault, moves to others’ faults, and circles back to the self, showing that judgment without purification boomerangs into new guilt. The Confucian, Christian, Stoic, and Dharmic strands converge here: self-rectification is the root of legitimate authority, whether personal or political. In Tiruvalluvar’s compressed poetry, the judge who ignores this order becomes his own accuser, while the one who follows it stands clear before the highest law.

Distilled Essence
True authority—whether of a person or a king—emerges only when self-correction precedes judgment of others. Without this inward discipline, every outward judgment returns as self-fault, both in society’s eyes and before the ultimate tribunal of justice.

English Meaning - As I taught a kid

Before one finds fault with and in others, he/she has to remove the faults in him/her as a preventive measure. When one can remove his/her faults, weaknesses, and shortcomings and points out the faults of others to them, he/she will be considered faultless and his/her suggestions will be acceptable. The main thing here is not just about being aware of one's faults but it is also removing them. Because, when finding faults is relatively easier, but when one removes them it takes a lot of effort. Spiritually speaking it makes one humble and one can understand how one can/could have done things differently. Also, correcting others is not going benefit us. Whereas if we correct ourselves, it will benefit us and it can also inspire and benefit our family and others. 

Poetic Rendering 

First remove the faults within,
before pointing to faults outside.
The hand that cleanses itself first
earns the right to lift the gavel.
Judge without cleansing the self,
and the fault returns doubled.
Only the purified voice can speak
without fear before the Highest Law.

ЁЯза Psychological Angle

(Explore human behavior, emotions, biases, ego patterns — only if naturally relevant)

Cognitive Dissonance (Festinger): Criticizing others while holding the same flaws creates mental discomfort; people dismiss such leaders as hypocrites. Example: a manager insisting on punctuality while arriving late loses trust.

Self-Awareness Theory (Duval & Wicklund): Awareness of one’s own behavior drives alignment between values and actions. Leaders who self-correct first embody this principle.

Attribution Bias (Social Psychology): We overestimate others’ faults while excusing our own. The Kural challenges this bias by demanding reversal — see and correct self first.

Real-Life Example:
In families, parents telling children not to use phones while scrolling themselves triggers disobedience and mistrust.

ЁЯФм Science & Systems Parallels

(Modern scientific or systemic connections — explained only if they truly align)

Neuroscience – Prefrontal Cortex Regulation: Self-control and self-correction rely on prefrontal circuits; judging others without managing self reflects poor regulation.

Systems Thinking – Feedback Loops: Negative feedback loops ensure stability; leaders correcting themselves first stabilize the system before influencing others.

Biology – Immune System: An immune system that attacks pathogens while ignoring internal faults (autoimmune disease) collapses — echoing hypocrisy in leadership.

ЁЯУЪЁЯФн роЪிрои்родройைро╡ெро│ி - Global Parallels 

родрооிро┤் роЗро▓роХ்роХிропроЪ் роЪெро▓்ро╡роо் - роТрок்рокுрооை — Parallels in Other Tamil Literary Works

”родроЩ்роХுро▒்ро▒роо் роиீроХ்роХро▓ ро░ாроХிрок் рокிро▒ро░்роХுро▒்ро▒роо்
роОроЩ்роХேройுроо் родீро░்род்родро▒் роХிроЯைрок்рокுроХுродро▓்” (рокро┤рооொро┤ி 124)

Parallels from Established Philosophical Traditions

  • Christian Scripture – Matthew 7:3–5 (“Remove the plank from your own eye before looking at the speck in your brother’s eye”): This is a near-direct parallel, emphasizing self-correction before judging others.
  • Confucian Analects – Self-cultivation (ф┐ош║л, xi┼л sh─Уn): Confucius stresses that before governing others, one must cultivate and rectify the self; order in family and state flows only from inner rectitude.
  • Stoicism – Epictetus, Discourses: Stoic practice warns against blaming others before mastering one’s own faults, framing hypocrisy as weakness in moral discipline.
  • Indian Dharma Shastra / Manusmriti (7.20): Advises rulers to be free of vice and faults before punishing or correcting subjects, else their judgments lack legitimacy.

Parallels from Established B-Schools

  • Harvard Business School (HBS) – Authentic Leadership (Bill George): Leaders must first confront and correct their own blind spots, weaknesses, and ethical lapses; without this self-awareness, they lose credibility in leading others.

  • Wharton / Stanford GSB – Psychological Safety & Leader Credibility (Amy Edmondson, Jeff Pfeffer): Teams accept critique and correction only when leaders model accountability themselves; leaders who fail to own mistakes undermine trust and authority.

Parallels from World Thoughts

Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics
  • “The man who is to judge must himself be virtuous.”
  • Meaning: Only the self-corrected can pass judgment, aligning with the Kural’s stress on self-purification.
Peter Drucker, The Effective Executive
  • “Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things.”
  • Meaning: Leaders must first align themselves with integrity before correcting others, echoing the Kural’s principle.
Mahatma Gandhi
  • “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.”
  • Meaning: Social and political reform must begin with personal self-reform, mirroring the Kural’s order.
Nelson Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom
  • “One cannot be prepared for something while secretly believing it will not happen.”
  • Meaning: Leadership credibility requires internal conviction and self-rectification before outward action.
Andrew Huberman (Neuroscience, Habits)
  • “Behavioral change must begin with small internal adjustments before expecting external results.”
  • Meaning: Inner correction enables outward impact, in line with the Kural’s teaching.
Roger Federer (Tennis Philosophy)
  • “You can’t control your opponent, only your own game.”
  • Meaning: Mastery begins with fixing one’s own errors before focusing on others’, echoing the Kural’s central theme.

ЁЯеБ роОро┤ுрод்родாро│ро░் роЬெропрооோроХройிрой் ро╡ெрог்рооுро░роЪு — Thematic Snippets from Venmurasu


ЁЯМА Visualization & Models

(Text-based diagrams, cycles, frameworks — applied only where the kural fits a structure)



Model: Flow Framework

Stages:
  1. Detect Self-Faults →
  2. Remove & Reform Self →
  3. Observe Others’ Faults →
  4. Correct with Credibility →
  5. Stand Clear before Law/Justice

ЁЯза роЕроХрок்рокропрогроо் – Inner Exploration

Scholar’s Questions — Valluvar’s Answers

Universal – Why is it easier to spot others’ faults than our own?
Thiruvalluvar: Seeing others’ faults costs nothing, but seeing our own demands effort, humility, and reform — only the latter brings true growth.

Universal – How can I gain credibility when advising or correcting others?
Thiruvalluvar: Correct yourself first; then your words carry weight, for people trust the one who leads by example, not by command.

Scholar (Leadership) – What makes a leader’s judgment legitimate in the eyes of their people?
Thiruvalluvar: A leader who purges flaws in his own rule before pointing at others stands unassailable, for justice shines brighter when modeled.

Scholar (Management) – How do organizations build cultures of accountability?
Thiruvalluvar: Begin with self-audit; when leaders admit and fix their own errors, accountability flows naturally across the whole system.

Scholar (Philosophy) – Why must self-knowledge precede justice?
Thiruvalluvar: The mind clouded by its own errors cannot see truth in others; justice begins only when the self is cleansed of its bias.

Scholar (Politics) – How can rulers prevent hypocrisy in governance?
Thiruvalluvar: Let the king first remove corruption in his court; only then can he punish subjects without fault falling back upon himself.

Scholar (Business) – What makes criticism effective in corporate teams?
Thiruvalluvar: Criticism gains power when preceded by self-correction; otherwise, the critic loses trust and weakens the team.

Scholar (Psychology) – Why does hypocrisy erode trust so quickly in social groups?
Thiruvalluvar: Because people instinctively mirror truth — they reject words that conflict with deeds, exposing the fault of the speaker.

Scholar (Spiritual) – How do traditions ensure self-cleansing before reforming others?
Thiruvalluvar: Ritual, prayer, and meditation first turn the seeker inward; only after cleansing the self do they guide the community.

Scholar (Sports) – How can athletes focus on self-improvement instead of blaming rivals?
Thiruvalluvar: Victory lies in correcting one’s own errors; blaming rivals adds nothing, but refining oneself wins respect and the game.

Thiruvalluvar: Judgment without self-correction returns as self-condemnation; only the one who removes his own faults before naming others stands blameless in authority, trust, and truth.

ЁЯза Think With Me — Questions for Curious Young Minds (Ages 13–21)

  • When you tell a friend not to be late, do you check first if you are on time yourself?
    This builds awareness of fairness and consistency in everyday actions.

  • Can you recall a moment when you corrected your own mistake before pointing it out in someone else? How did it feel different?
    This helps you notice the respect that comes when you lead by example, not by words alone.

  • Why do you think people listen more carefully to someone who has already practiced what they preach?
    This turns reflection into understanding of credibility and trust in relationships.

Bonus Questions

  1. When you start looking for your faults, what should you do and what is the result of it?
  2. Before pointing others faults, what should you do? 

ЁЯМ┐ роХродைроХро│் - Stories

Story : The Judge and the Lantern


Once there was a wise judge who always carried a lantern. But the townsfolk mocked him: “Why carry light in daylight?” He replied, “This lantern is not for the streets, it is for me. Before I judge others, I must see if my own path is clear.” One day, a rival accused him of favoritism. Calmly, the judge revealed how he had once made the same mistake and corrected it. The people admired his honesty, and his judgment was accepted without protest. His rival fell silent.

Moral (Essence of the story):

True authority comes from self-correction, not self-righteousness.

Connection to Everyday Life:

In everyday life, whether in offices, courts, or families, credibility flows from first fixing ourselves.

ЁЯМЩ Bedtime Story: The King Who Cleaned His Room First


Long ago, a king loved to tell his ministers to keep the palace clean. But one little boy said, “Your own room is messy, why should we listen?” The king looked and saw dust and toys everywhere. He cleaned his room first, then asked the others to clean theirs. This time, everyone happily followed.

Moral (Essence of the story):

You must fix your own mess before asking others to fix theirs.

Connection to Everyday Life:

In life, don’t blame friends or classmates before checking your own work.

ЁЯЫа️роироЯைрооுро▒ை - Practical Tools

Wisdom becomes powerful only when lived. This section offers simple, actionable ways to apply the kural’s insight in daily life.
 

Tool 1: Self-Audit Journal (Leadership)

What: Weekly self-reflection on actions, decisions, and mistakes.
How: Write down 3 wins, 3 faults, and 1 correction step.
Impact: Builds humility, accountability, and credibility with teams.

Tool 2: Feedback Circle (Management)

What: Structured peer feedback within organizations.
How: Monthly roundtables where colleagues share one strength and one area of improvement.
Impact: Normalizes correction, prevents blind spots.
Tool 3: Mirror Conversations (Family & Relationships)
What: Before correcting a spouse/child, ask “Do I do this myself?”
How: Pause, reflect, and only speak if your own example is clean.
Impact: Builds trust and reduces hypocrisy in family life.

Tool 4: Pre-Mortem Analysis (Business & Teams)

What: Predict failures by first checking internal faults.
How: Teams imagine a project failed and ask, “What inside us caused it?”
Impact: Prevents blame-shifting, strengthens accountability.

Tool 5: Philosophical Practice (General Life)

What: Daily moment of self-examination before sleep.
How: Ask, “What did I do wrong today, and what will I correct tomorrow?”
Impact: Ancient but universal — builds conscience, humility, and peace.

Micropractice 1

Before giving advice, ask: “Have I fixed this in myself?”

Micropractice 2

End each day with one sentence of self-correction in a diary.

ЁЯЫа️Tools for Children

Age 7

What: “My Clean Corner” – child cleans their corner daily before pointing out siblings’ mess.
How: 5 minutes tidy up.
Impact: Builds self-responsibility.

Age 10

What: “Fault Finder Game” – spot one personal mistake each day.
How: Write in a notebook.
Impact: Teaches accountability playfully.

Age 13

What: “Peer Mirror” – with friends, share one thing each will improve.
How: Weekly chat.
Impact: Builds openness, humility.

Age 18

What: “Leadership Credibility Test” – check consistency before correcting juniors.
How: Self-audit before meetings.
Impact: Prepares for authentic leadership.

ЁЯМ╕ЁЯзРЁЯТОЁЯФН роиுроЯ்рокрод்родிрой் роЗродро┤்роХро│் — Petals of Subtle Insight (Applications in Today’s World)

Like petals of a flower, each kural opens to many meanings—this section shows its relevance through different lenses today. It’s about breadth of meaning, showing readers the range of modern applications of the kural. 
 
Category: Personal Virtue & Ethics
Theme: Self-correction as the foundation of integrity.
Why: Encourages honesty, humility, and personal responsibility.
Audience: Students, general public.
Tags: virtue, ethics, self-reflection.
Domain: Personal Development.

Category: Leadership & Governance
Theme: Leaders must reform their own faults before correcting others.
Why: Builds credibility and trust in governance.
Audience: Managers, political leaders.
Tags: leadership, accountability.
Domain: Management, Politics.

Category: Family & Relationships
Theme: Correcting oneself before advising family or peers.
Why: Avoids hypocrisy, teaches by example.
Audience: Parents, children, couples.
Tags: family, trust, self-example.
Domain: Family Life.

Category: Organizational Culture
Theme: Cultures of accountability grow when leaders model self-correction.
Why: Aligns organizational learning and credibility.
Audience: Businesses, entrepreneurs.
Tags: culture, credibility.
Domain: Business Studies.

ЁЯОн Masks & Misuses

(How the kural could be twisted, misapplied, or ego-driven — and the balanced meaning Valluvar intended)

Moral Superiority Misuse:
Some may weaponize this Kural to silence criticism, saying “you are not perfect, so you cannot speak.” Correct meaning: the Kural calls for humility, not paralysis.

Deflection Misuse: Leaders may pretend to “work on themselves” endlessly to avoid accountability. Correct meaning: self-correction should be genuine and visible.

Literal Misuse: Taken narrowly, one may think only personal flaws count, ignoring family or governance. Correct meaning: родрой்роХுро▒்ро▒роо் extends to household and administration.

ЁЯМ┐ рооுроХ்родாроп்рок்рокு - Punchline

“родрой் роХுро▒்ро▒роо் роиீроХ்роХி ро╡ாро┤்роХ – Live Fault-Free First.”

True authority and respect come only when we correct ourselves before pointing to others’ mistakes.