Kural 0343 - ЁЯТк роЖроЪைроХро│ை ро╡ிроЯ்роЯுро╡ிроЯு ро╡ро▓ிрооை рокெро▒ு - Let go of desires, gain strength

Master the five senses and renounce desires to gain true inner strength and lasting peace — wisdom from Thirukkural 343. insights practices stories

Key Questions

  1. What must I give up to gain true power over myself?
  2. Socrates (via dialectic inquiry): Can a man be free if he is ruled by what he sees, hears, tastes, or touches?
  3. Aristotle (via ethics and virtue): Is not temperance a virtue, and does not the virtuous man restrain his appetites for the sake of reason and the good life?
  4. Immanuel Kant (via duty and reason): Should not the moral law within us demand mastery over the sensory inclinations that cloud our rational will?
  5. Werner Heisenberg (via uncertainty and inner clarity): If external knowledge is uncertain and the observer is never separate from the observed, must not clarity come from disciplining the inner senses first?
  6. Werner Heisenberg (via uncertainty and inner clarity):  Is not the act of perceiving shaped by what we desire to see — and thus, is self-mastery the foundation of true understanding?
  7. Laozi / Eastern Wisdom: Can you govern the world if you cannot govern yourself?

    Thiruvalluvar: True strength is not gained by accumulating power, but by renouncing the desires that weaken the soul — mastery of the senses is the first and final victory.

роХுро▒ро│் 0343

роЕроЯро▓்ро╡ேрог்роЯுроо் роРрои்родрой் рокுро▓род்родை ро╡ிроЯро▓்ро╡ேрог்роЯுроо்
ро╡ேрог்роЯிроп ро╡ெро▓்ро▓ாроо் роТро░ுроЩ்роХு
[роЕро▒род்родுрок்рокாро▓், родுро▒ро╡ро▒ро╡ிропро▓், родுро▒ро╡ு]
(For English meaning scroll to the bottom of this post)

роЪொро▒்роХро│ிрой் рокொро░ுро│ுро░ைроХро│்

роЕроЯро▓் - ро╡ро▓ிрооை; ро╡ெро▒்ро▒ி рокோро░் роХொро▓ை рокроХை рооீрой்ро╡роХை.

ро╡ேрог்роЯுроо் - v─Ус╣Зс╣нum   imp. v. + dat. veeNum ро╡ேрогுроо் want; should, need 
ро╡ேрог்роЯுродро▓் - ро╡ிро░ுроо்рокுродро▓்; ро╡ிро░ுроо்рокிроХ்роХேроЯ்роЯро▓்; ро╡ிро▓ைроХ்роХுро╡ாроЩ்роХுродро▓்; роЗрой்ро▒ிропрооைропாродродாродро▓்.

роРрои்родрой் - роРрои்родு
рокுро▓род்родை - рокுро▓рой்роХро│் - роРроо்рокுро▓рой் роиுроХро░்роЪ்роЪி ропாроХிроп роЪுро╡ை, роТро│ி, роКро▒ு, роУроЪை, роиாро▒்ро▒роо் роОрой்рокро╡ை; рокொро▒ி; роХро░ுрооேрои்родிро░ிропроо்; роЕро▒ிро╡ுроЯைрооை; роЕро▒ிро╡ுроХ்роХூро░்рооை; ро╡ெро│ிрок்рокроЯроХ்роХாрог்роЯро▓்; роЙро▒ுрок்рокு; ро╡ропро▓்; роиூро▓்ро╡ройрок்рокுро│்роТрой்ро▒ு.

ро╡ிроЯро▓் - рооுро▒்ро▒ுроо்роиீроЩ்роХுроХை; роКро▒்ро▒ுроХை; роХுро▒்ро▒роо்.


ро╡ேрог்роЯுроо் - v─Ус╣Зс╣нum   imp. v. + dat. veeNum ро╡ேрогுроо் want; should, need 
ро╡ேрог்роЯுродро▓் - ро╡ிро░ுроо்рокுродро▓்; ро╡ிро░ுроо்рокிроХ்роХேроЯ்роЯро▓்; ро╡ிро▓ைроХ்роХுро╡ாроЩ்роХுродро▓்; роЗрой்ро▒ிропрооைропாродродாродро▓்

ро╡ேрог்роЯிроп - v─Ус╣Зс╣нiya   adj. id. 1. Indispensable; роЗрой்ро▒ிропрооைропாрод. 2. Required; родேро╡ைропாрой. 3. Sufficient; рокோродுрооாрой. 4. Many;рооிроХுродிропாрой. ро╡ேрог்роЯிроп роиாро│் роОрой்ройோроЯுроо் рокро┤роХிроп роиீ(родாропு. роорог்роЯро▓род். 10)

роОро▓்ро▓ாроо் - рооுро┤ுродுроо்

роТро░ுроЩ்роХு - рооுро┤ுрооை; рооுро┤ுродுроо்; роОро▓்ро▓ாроо்; роОро▓்ро▓ாроЩ்роХூроЯிроиிро▒்роХை; роЕроЯроХ்роХроо்; роТро░ுроХாро▓род்родிро▓்; роТро░ுроЪேро░; роТро░ுродрой்рооை; роЕро┤ிро╡ு.

рооுро┤ுрок்рокொро░ுро│்

роЕроЯро▓் роОрой்ро▒ாро▓் ро╡ро▓ிрооை, ро╡ெро▒்ро▒ி роОрой்ро▒ рокொро░ுро│ிро▓ே роЗроЩ்роХு роиாроо் роОроЯுрод்родுроХ்роХொро│்ро│ ро╡ேрог்роЯுроо். роЖродро▓ாро▓் роТро░ுро╡ро░ுроХ்роХு ро╡ро▓ிрооை ро╡ேрог்роЯுроо் роОрой்ро▒ாро▓் роЕро╡ро░் роРрои்родு рокுро▓рой்роХро│ைропுроо் роЕроЯроХ்роХ ро╡ேрог்роЯுроо், роиாроо் роЖроЪைрок்рокроЯுроХிрой்ро▒ роОро▓்ро▓ாро╡ро▒்ро▒ைропுроо் роТро░ுроЪேро░ ро╡ிроЯ்роЯொро┤ிроп ро╡ேрог்роЯுроо். роЕро╡்ро╡ாро▒ு роЪெроп்родாро▓் роЕродு роироороХ்роХு ро╡ро▓ிрооைропே. рооுрой்рокு роХுро▒ро│் 341: ропாродройிрой் ропாродройிрой் роиீроЩ்роХிропாрой் роиோродро▓் роЕродройிрой் роЕродройிрой் роЗро▓рой் роЪொрой்ройродுрок்рокோро▓ ро╡ேрог்роЯாроо் роОрой்ро▒ு ро╡ிроЯுро╡родройாро▓் роироороХ்роХு роЗрой்рокрооே. роЕродுрок்рокோро▓ро╡ே роЗроХ்роХுро▒ро│ிро▓் роЪொро▓்ро▓рок்рокроЯுро╡родு роОрой்ройро╡ெрой்ро▒ாро▓் ро╡ிроЯ்роЯொро┤ிро╡родройாро▓் ро╡ро▓ிрооை роироороХ்роХு роОрой்роХிро▒ாро░் родிро░ுро╡ро│்ро│ுро╡ро░். ро╡ро▓ிрооை ро╡ேрог்роЯுроо் роОрой்ро▒ாро▓் ро╡ро▓ிрооைроХ்роХு родроЯைроХро▒்роХро│ாроп் роЗро░ுроХ்роХிрой்ро▒ роЕройைрод்родைропுроо் (роРроо்рокுро▓рой்роХро│், роЖроЪைроХро│்) роТро░ுроЪேро░ ро╡ிроЯ்роЯொро┤ிроп ро╡ேрог்роЯுроо். 

роРроо்рокுро▓рой்роХро│ைропுроо் роХроЯ்роЯுрок்рокроЯுрод்родுроо் роХро░ுро╡ி роОрой்ро▒ாро▓் роЕродு роироородு рооройроЪாроХுроо். роЙродாро░рогрооாроХ, роТро░ுро╡ро░ுроХ்роХு роХрог்рогைрод் родிро▒рои்родுроХ்роХொрог்роЯே родூроЩ்роХுроо் рокொро┤ுродு  (роЕродு роЙрог்рооைропிро▓் роТро░ு роиோропுроо் роХுроЯ) роЕро╡ро░் роОродைропுроо் рокாро░்рок்рокродு роЗро▓்ро▓ை. роПройெройிро▓் роЕро╡ро░் рооройроЪு родாрой் рокாро░்роХ்роХிро▒родு (роЕро▒ிро╡ிропро▓ாроХ рокாро░்род்родாро▓் роТро░ுро╡ро░் родூроЩ்роХுроо் рокொро┤ுродு роХрог்рогுроХ்роХுроо் рооூро▓ைроХ்роХுроо் роЙро│்ро│ роТро░ு роиро░роо்рокு роЪெропро▓ிро▓் роЗро░ுроХ்роХாродு). роЖродро▓ாро▓் ро╡ро▓ிрооை ро╡ேрог்роЯுроо் роОрой்ро▒ாро▓் роРроо்рокுро▓рой் роиுроХро░்роЪ்роЪி ропாроХிроп роЪுро╡ை, роТро│ி, роКро▒ு, роУроЪை, роиாро▒்ро▒роо் роОрой்рокро╡ро▒்ро▒ை роЕроЯроХ்роХ ро╡ேрог்роЯுроо். роЕродройாро▓் ро╡ро░ுроо் роЖроЪைроХро│் роЕройைрод்родைропுроо் ро╡ிроЯ்роЯொро┤ிроп ро╡ேрог்роЯுроо். 

рокро░ிрооேро▓ро┤роХро░் роЙро░ை “ро╡ீроЯு роОроп்родுро╡ாро░ுроХ்роХு”роОрой்роХிро▒родு. рооро▒ுрок்рокродро▒்роХு роЗро▓்ро▓ைропெрой்ро▒ாро▓ுроо், роЕро╡ро░் роХீро┤்роХாрогுроо் роиாро▓роЯிропாро░ிрой் рокாроЯро▓ைропொроЯ்роЯி рокொро░ுро│் роЪெроп்родிро░ுроХ்роХро▓ாроо் роОрой்ро▒ு роХро░ுрод роЗроЯрооுрог்роЯு. роЕрок்рокாроЯро▓ாройродு:

рооெроп்ро╡ாроп்роХрог் рооூроХ்роХுроЪ் роЪெро╡ிропெройрок் рокேро░்рокெро▒்ро▒
роРро╡ாроп ро╡ேроЯ்роХை роЕро╡ாро╡ிройைроХ் – роХைро╡ாроп்
роХро▓роЩ்роХாрооро▓் роХாрод்родுроп்роХ்роХுроо் роЖро▒்ро▒ро▓் роЙроЯைропாрой்
ро╡ிро▓роЩ்роХாродு ро╡ீроЯு рокெро▒ுроо். (роиாро▓роЯி 59)

“роХроЪроЯ்роЯுро▒ு ро╡ிройைрод்родொро┤ிро▒் роХро│்ро╡ ро░ாропுро┤ро▓்
роЕроЪроЯ்роЯро░்роХро│் роРро╡ро░ை роЕро▒ுро╡ ро░ாроХ்роХிроп
ро╡роЪிроЯ்роЯрой்” (роХроо்рок.родிро░ுро╡ро╡родாро░.77)

“роРрои்родொ роЯாроХிроп рооுрок்рокроХை рооро░ுроЩ்роХро▒ роЕроХро▒்ро▒ி
роЙроп்рои்родு рокோропிройро░்” (роХроо்рок.роорои்родிро░ 64_

“рооிроЯро▓ுро▒ு рокுро▓рой்роХро│் ро╡ெрой்ро▒ рооெроп்род்родро╡ро░்”
“роЕроЯроХ்роХிроРроо் рокுро▓рой்роХро│் ро╡ெрой்ро▒ родро╡рок்рокропрой்’ (роХроо்рок.роХроЯро▓்родாро╡ு.11,29)

“ро╡ீроЯுрооிрой் рооுро▒்ро▒ро╡ுроо்” (родிро░ுро╡ாроп் 1.2:1)


рооேро▓ுроо்: роЕро╖ோроХ் роЙро░ை

рооро▒்ро▒ роЙро░ைроХро│்

рокро░ிрооேро▓ро┤роХро░் роЙро░ை

роРрои்родрой் рокுро▓род்родை роЕроЯро▓் ро╡ேрог்роЯுроо் - ро╡ீроЯு роОроп்родுро╡ாро░்роХ்роХுроЪ் роЪெро╡ி рооுродро▓ிроп роРроо்рокொро▒ிроХроЯ்роХு роЙро░ிропро╡ாроп роУроЪை рооுродро▓ிроп роРроо்рокுро▓рой்роХро│ைропுроо் роХெроЯுрод்родро▓் ро╡ேрог்роЯுроо், ро╡ேрог்роЯிроп роОро▓்ро▓ாроо் роТро░ுроЩ்роХு ро╡ிроЯро▓் ро╡ேрог்роЯுроо் ; - роХெроЯுроХ்роХுроЩ்роХாро▓் роЕро╡ро▒்ро▒ை роиுроХро░்родро▒்рокொро░ுроЯ்роЯுрод் родாроо் рокроЯைрод்род рокொро░ுро│் рооுро┤ுро╡родைропுроо் роТро░ுроЩ்роХே ро╡ிроЯுродро▓் ро╡ேрог்роЯுроо். (рокுро▓роо் роОрой்ро▒родு, роЕро╡ро▒்ро▒ை роиுроХро░்родро▓ை. роЕродு рооройрод்родைрод் родுрой்рокрод்родாройுроо் рокாро╡род்родாройுроо் роЕрой்ро▒ி ро╡ாро░ாрод рокொро░ுро│்роХро│் рооேро▓ро▓்ро▓родு ро╡ீроЯ்роЯு роиெро▒ிропாроХிроп ропோроХроЮாройроЩ்роХро│ிро▓் роЪெро▓ுрод்родாрооைропிрой், роЕродройை 'роЕроЯро▓் ро╡ேрог்роЯுроо்' роОрой்ро▒ுроо், роЕроГродு роЕрок்рокொро░ுро│்роХро│் рооேро▓் роЪெро▓்ро▓ிрой் роЕрои்роиுроХро░்роЪ்роЪி ро╡ிро▒роХுрокெро▒்ро▒ родро┤ро▓்рокோро▓் рооுро▒ுроХுро╡родро▓்ро▓родு роЕроЯрок்рокроЯாрооைропிрой், 'ро╡ேрог்роЯிроп роОро▓்ро▓ாроо் роТро░ுроЩ்роХு ро╡ிроЯро▓் ро╡ேрог்роЯுроо்' роОрой்ро▒ுроо் роХூро▒ிройாро░்.).

роорогроХ்роХுроЯро╡ро░் роЙро░ை

родுро▒рок்рокாро░்роХ்роХுрок் рокொро▒ிроХ ро│ைрои்родிройுроХ்роХுроо் роиுроХро░்роЪ்роЪிропாрой роРрои்родிройைропுроЩ் роХொро▓்ро▓ுродро▓் ро╡ேрог்роЯுроо்: роЕродро▒்роХாроХрод் родாроо் ро╡ிро░ுроо்рокிрой роОро▓்ро▓ாро╡ро▒்ро▒ைропுроо் роТро░ு роХாро▓род்родிро▓ே ро╡ிроЯுродро▓் ро╡ேрог்роЯுроо்.

рооு.ро╡ро░родро░ாроЪройாро░் роЙро░ை

роРроо்рокொро▒ிроХро│ுроХ்роХுроо் роЙро░ிроп роРрои்родு рокுро▓рой்роХро│ிрой் роЖроЪைропைропுроо் ро╡ெро▓்ро▓ுродро▓் ро╡ேрог்роЯுроо், роЕро╡ро▒்ро▒ிро▒்роХு ро╡ேрог்роЯிроп рокொро░ுро│்роХро│ை роОро▓்ро▓ாроо் роТро░ு роЪேро░ ро╡ிроЯ ро╡ேрог்роЯுроо்.

роЪாро▓роорой் рокாрок்рокைропா роЙро░ை

роЖроЪைроХро│ைрок் рокிро▒рок்рокிроХ்роХுроо் роРрои்родு рокுро▓рой்роХро│ைропுроо் роЕроЯроХ்роХ ро╡ேрог்роЯுроо்; роЕро╡ро▒்ро▒ை роЕроЯроХ்роХுро╡родро▒்роХுрод் родройроХ்роХுро░ிроп роЕройைрод்родைропுроо் ро╡ிроЯ்роЯு ро╡ிроЯ ро╡ேрог்роЯு்роо்.

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

родுро▒ро╡ுроХ்роХு роЕроЯிрок்рокроЯை рокுро▓ройроЯроХ்роХроо்.

English Meaning

To attain true strength or mastery, one must first conquer the five senses — sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch — which are the root of desires. These sensory experiences often lead the mind outward, creating attachments and cravings. Only by gaining control over these senses can one avoid being ruled by desire and distraction.

This act of self-restraint is not partial but total — one must renounce all that stimulates or feeds the senses. Just as external discipline requires inner strength, the mind plays a crucial role in regulating sensory impulses. When the mind is mastered, and the pull of pleasures is relinquished, the individual becomes powerful, composed, and free from suffering. True strength, says the Kural, lies not in external conquest, but in inner control and renunciation.

Poetic Rendering

To conquer the world, first still the tide,
Of senses five that pull and guide.
Let go desires, both near and far—
And strength shall rise like a steadfast star.

Questions by scholars ans Answers by Thiruvalluvar

  1. What must I give up to gain true power over myself?
    Thiruvalluvar: Give up the objects of sensory pleasure, and strength will arise within.

  2. Socrates (via dialectic inquiry): Can a man be free if he is ruled by what he sees, hears, tastes, or touches?
    Thiruvalluvar: No man is free who serves his senses; freedom begins where desire ends.

  3. Aristotle (via ethics and virtue): Is not temperance a virtue, and does not the virtuous man restrain his appetites for the sake of reason and the good life?
    Thiruvalluvar: The virtuous live by reigning in the senses; strength follows where restraint leads.

  4. Immanuel Kant (via duty and reason): Should not the moral law within us demand mastery over the sensory inclinations that cloud our rational will?
    Thiruvalluvar: When the senses are silenced, the mind aligns with duty and truth.

  5. Werner Heisenberg (via uncertainty and inner clarity): If external knowledge is uncertain and the observer is never separate from the observed, must not clarity come from disciplining the inner senses first?
    Thiruvalluvar: Only when the senses are stilled does the inner eye see without distortion.

  6. Werner Heisenberg (via uncertainty and inner clarity):  Is not the act of perceiving shaped by what we desire to see — and thus, is self-mastery the foundation of true understanding?
    Thiruvalluvar: Desire bends perception; mastery over it reveals the real

  7. Laozi / Eastern Wisdom: Can you govern the world if you cannot govern yourself?
    Thiruvalluvar: He who conquers the senses needs no throne — he already rules.

ЁЯОп Story: "The Archer and the Monkey" – A Story of Mastering the Senses

In an ancient village, there lived a young archer named Arun who wanted to be the best in the kingdom. He trained day and night, shooting arrows at distant targets, hitting bulls-eyes with ease. But whenever he went to competitions, something strange happened — he missed.

He wasn’t missing because he lacked skill — it was the noise of the crowd, the colorful clothes, the smell of food, and the cheering that distracted him. His eyes wandered, his ears twitched, his mind drifted. He had become like a monkey, jumping behind every distraction.

One day, an old monk came by and watched Arun train. The monk said,

“Your hands are steady, but your senses are wild. Until you tame them, your arrows will never fly true.”

So Arun began a new kind of training. He sat still for hours with his eyes closed, listening to his breath. He practiced focusing only on the target, ignoring sounds, smells, or movement. Day by day, he learned to pull his senses inward like drawing back a bowstring.

At the next competition, Arun stood tall. The crowd shouted, drums beat, food sizzled — but he heard none of it. His arrow flew straight and struck the center.


ЁЯкФ Moral (Essence of the story)

“If you seek true strength, conquer the five senses — and all else will follow.”

ЁЯЫа️Practice Tools for Daily Life

1. Mindful Pause Before Desire
Before reaching for anything tempting — a snack, phone, or impulsive purchase — pause for 5 deep breaths. Ask yourself: “Do I really need this, or am my senses just craving it?” This creates space between impulse and action.

2. Digital Detox Moments
Pick a daily 10-minute window where you turn off all screens and sensory distractions. Use this time for quiet reflection, meditation, or simply observing your breath. It trains your mind to rest from constant sensory stimulation.

3. Micro practice: Single-Sense Focus
For one minute, focus completely on just one sense — like hearing only the sounds around you, or noticing one smell deeply. This sharpens control over your senses.
Deeper learning methods (janan yoga style, lectio divina style)


Deeper Practice: Progressive Sensory Renunciation (Practical Detachment Training)

What it is:
A systematic approach where you gradually and mindfully reduce dependence on sensory pleasures to build inner resilience.

How to practice:

  1. Identify your strongest sensory cravings (e.g., social media, junk food, TV, excessive talking).

  2. Set small, achievable limits on these indulgences daily—like reducing screen time by 10 minutes or skipping one snack a day.

  3. Replace that time or space with mindful activities like walking, journaling, or breathing exercises.

  4. Observe the discomfort or urge that arises without reacting, cultivating patience and awareness.

  5. Reflect weekly on how letting go of small pleasures strengthens your focus and peace.

Why it works:
By intentionally stepping back from sensory indulgences in small, manageable steps, you train the mind to overcome attachment. This gradual process deepens self-control, reducing the mind’s restless pull and uncovering the strength Thiruvalluvar speaks of—true mastery begins with letting go.

Parallels in Other Philosophical and Religious Traditions

1. Thirugnanasamambadhar родிро░ுроЮாройроЪроо்рокрои்родро░்
“роРрои்родே роЗрой்рокроо் роЕроХро▒்ро▒ро▓் роОрой்рокродு роЖропுро│் ро╡ாроп்рок்рокிрой் роЕроЯிрок்рокроЯை.”
— Renouncing the pleasures of the five senses is the foundation of a long, peaceful life.

2. Hinduism — Bhagavad Gita (Chapter 2, Verse 60)
“рдпा рдиिрд╢ा рд╕рд░्рд╡рднूрддाрдиां рддрд╕्рдпां рдЬाрдЧрд░्рддि рд╕ंрдпрдоी |
рддрд╕्рдпां рд╢्рд░ेрд╖्рдаा рдЬाрдЧрд░्рддि рдиिрдзिрд░् рдмुрдж्рдзिрд░् рдорддं рдордо ||”
“The yogi who is master of the senses, awake during the night of delusion, is the wisest and possesses supreme wisdom.”
— Control of the senses leads to enlightenment and inner strength.

3. Buddhism — The Dhammapada (Verse 361)
"The wise man, restrained in his senses, attains peace; uncontrolled senses bring suffering."
— Mastery over sensory desires is key to liberation.

4. Jainism — Acaranga Sutra
“Vaya bhaya samapatti” (Detachment from sensual pleasures is essential for liberation.)
— The Tirthankaras teach strict control over the senses to overcome karma.

5. Stoicism (Western Philosophy)
Epictetus:
"Freedom is gained by mastering desires, not by indulging them."
— The Stoics emphasize self-control over passions as the path to virtue and peace.

6. Christianity — Bible (1 Corinthians 9:27)
"I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified."
— Self-mastery over bodily desires is vital to spiritual strength.

7. Islam — Hadith (Prophet Muhammad)
"The strong is not the one who overcomes people by his strength, but the strong is the one who controls himself while in anger."
— True strength lies in self-control, especially over impulses.

8. Taoism (Laozi — Tao Te Ching)
"He who conquers others is strong; he who conquers himself is mighty."
— Inner mastery surpasses external conquest.

Post a Comment

© 2013–2025 Author Rajesh. Articles on this site can be freely shared online. Publishing the articles—partly or fully—in print, TV, e-books, or other formats requires prior permission from the author Developed by Jago Desain