170
Kural-76
Behold the man that beareth not to see gifts made3 to another: his family will beg for very
food and clothing and perish.
Kural-77
Lakshmi cannot bear with the envious: She will quit their side, learning them to the care of
her elder sister.
Kural-78
Caitiff envy bringeth on indigence and leadth up to the gates for hell.
Kural-79
The affluence of the envious and the misery of the generous-minded are alike matter for
wonder.
Kural-80
Never hath envy led to prosperity; nor a generous heart to a fall therefrom.
The poet in this chapter mentions the blessing of non-envying and
begins by saying
that it is only when one finds one’s heart devoid of feelings of envy that one knows that the
heart is inclined towards virtue. The poet further says that amongst all attainable excellences
there is none equal to that of being free from envy towards everyone. The wise knowing the
misery that comes from transgression will not through envy commit unrighteous deeds. The
poet goes on to say to the man who cherishes envy that even if his enemies fail in their
attempts to ruin him, his won envy will bring about his destruction. He adds that the sinner’s
envy will destroy a man’s wealth in this world and drive him into the pit of fire in the next
world. The writer also says that one who is envious of a gift made to another would cause the
utter destruction of his family leading them to beg
for food and clothing, all because of his
jealous feelings. He says that Lakshmi the goddess of prosperity envying the affluence of the
envious man would depart and introduce her elder sister Mudevi, the goddess of adversity to
him. One of the things that the poet ponders upon is the reason behind the wealth of a man of
envious mind and
the poverty of an upright man; but one might come to a conclusion that
their current state are the result of their actions in their former lives. He nevertheless
concludes
the chapter by saying that, never have the envious become great and never have
those who are free from envy been without greatness.
