Tirukural

CHAPTER 7

The Blessing of Children

61

Of all blessings we know of none greater than the begetting of children endowed with intelligence.§

62

Those who bear children of blameless character will be untouched by evil for seven births.§

63

It is said that children are a man’s real wealth, and that this wealth is determined by his deeds.§

64

Far sweeter than divine nectar is simple boiled rice stirred by the small hands of one’s own child.§

65

The touch of one’s children is a delight to the body, and listening to them chatter is a joy to the ear.§

66

“Sweet are the sounds of the flute and the lute,” say those who have not heard the prattle of their own children.§

67

A father benefits his son best by preparing him to sit at the forefront of learned councils.§

68

What pleasure it is to human beings everywhere when their children possess knowledge surpassing their own!§

69

When a mother hears her son heralded as a good and learned man, her joy exceeds that of his joyous birth.§

70

The son’s duty to his father is to make the world ask, “By what great austerities did he merit such a son?”§