Old Tamil Poetry

Thirukkural – 106

Forget not, kinship of the faultless; Forsake not,
friendship of those who stood fast by us in distress.

மறவற்க, மாசு அற்றார் கேண்மை! துறவற்க,
துன்பத்துள் துப்பு ஆயார் நட்பு!.

One should never forget the relation ship of those whose mind is faultless. Being with them will help him in this life and after life too. Similarly, one should not give up the friendship of those who stood fast by us as support in times of distress. They are our real friends.

Forget not / Forsake not phrase I have borrowed from Yogi Shuddhananda Bharathi’s translation.

மறவற்க – do not forget
மாசு அற்றார் – blemishless
கேண்மை – relationship / kinship
துறவற்க – துறக்க வேண்டாம் – give up not
துன்பத்துள் – at time of distress
துப்பு – support
ஆயார் – ஆனவர் – who became
நட்பு – friendship