Friendship - Thirukural (786)

Thiruvalluvar says in Thirukural, about friendship

" The smile that dwells in the face is not the true friendship

but  the smile that emerges in the heart is the true friendship." (786)

முகம்நக நட்பது நட்பு அன்று நெஞ்சத்து 

அகநக நட்பது நட்பு (786)

There lived a king and a poet in Tamilnadu (India) who had never met each other but united in hearts and nurtured the divinely friendship. The poet had great respect for king's exemplary rule and King had the great admiration for the excellent literary work of the poet.  They were unseen but not unknown. Due to the disputes of the sons on capturing the power, king decided to  end his life through a long spiritual fasting ( வடக்கிருந்து உயிர் விடல் ). Before his death, he ordered to construct a tomb next to his  for the poet. He had the unshakable faith that his beloved friend would come and die with him. It happened.  On hearing that king was on final fast, poet rushed and joined with him.

( king : Kopperum cholan கோப்பெருஞ்சோழன் ,

poet: Pisiranthiyar பிசிராந்தையார் )

This is divine friendship is gloriously spoken in  Tamil literatures.

Thiruvalluvar advises  to avoid friendship with certain  people.

"  Even in the dream there should not be friendship with those whose words and action are different." ( 819 )

கனவினும் இன்னாது மன்னோ வினைவேறு
சொல்வேறு பட்டாலர் தொடர்பு

Credit goes to one of a  website explaining Thirukural

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