5. Domestic Life

Chapter. 5. Domestic Life
Kural-41
The men of household virtue, firm in way of good, sustain
The other orders three that rule professed maintain.
Meaning : He will be called a (true) householder, who is a firm support to the virtuous of the three orders in their good path.
Kural-42
To anchorites, to indigent, to those who've passed away,
The man for household virtue famed is needful held and stay.
Meaning : He will be said to flourish in domestic virtue who aids the forsaken, the poor, and the dead.
Kural-43
The manes, God, guests kindred, self, in due degree,
These five to cherish well is chiefest charity.
Meaning : The chief (duty of the householder) is to preserve the five-fold rule (of conduct) towards the manes, the Gods, his guests, his relations and himself.
Kural-44
Who shares his meal with other, while all guilt he shuns,
His virtuous line unbroken though the ages runs.
Meaning : His descendants shall never fail who, living in the domestic state, fears vice (in the acquisition of property) and shares his food (with others).
Kural-45
If love and virtue in the household reign,
This is of life the perfect grace and gain.
Meaning : If the married life possess love and virtue, these will be both its duty and reward.
Kural-46
If man in active household life a virtuous soul retain,
What fruit from other modes of virtue can he gain?
Meaning : What will he who lives virtuously in the domestic state gain by going into the other, (ascetic) state ?
Kural-47
In nature's way who spends his calm domestic days,
'Mid all that strive for virtue's crown hath foremost place.
Meaning : Among all those who labour (for future happiness) he is greatest who lives well in the household state.
Kural-48
Others it sets upon their way, itself from virtue ne'er declines;
Than stern ascetics' pains such life domestic brighter shines.
Meaning : The householder who, not swerving from virtue, helps the ascetic in his way, endures more than those who endure penance.
Kural-49
The life domestic rightly bears true virtue's name;
That other too, if blameless found, due praise may claim.
Meaning : The marriage state is truly called virtue. The other state is also good, if others do not reproach it.
Kural-50
Who shares domestic life, by household virtues graced,
Shall, mid the Gods, in heaven who dwell, be placed.
Meaning : He who on earth has lived in the conjugal state as he should live, will be placed among the Gods who dwell in heaven.