Thirukkural-On Virtue-Control Of Temper-Kural 306

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Anger not only destroys those whom it affects, like fire, but it will also burn Those kindred souls, who step in to help as a raft towards salvation.

The figure of speech used in this Kural is "Eaekadaesa uruvaham" or mixed metaphor'. The interpretation adopted in the translation is based on Kalingar's. Parimelalagar also refers to the crossing of the sea of births, side by side with the fire of anger.

The idea here is that anger destroys not only the man who gets angry but those who go to his rescue. Shakespeare meant very much the same when he wrote 'Men in rage strike those that wish them best'.

But 'Kambaramayanam' paints the picture best in the following lines comparing anger to the fire that starts in a bamboo cluster and destroys not only its birth place but all around.

Moongilir pirandhu mulangu thee moongil
mudhalara murugumaap poalath

Thaangarunj cinatheen thanullae pirandhu
thanuru kilaiyellam thahikkum

Aangadhan vemai arindhavar kamaiyaal
adhanaiyul adakavum adangaa

Thoangiya koabath theeyinai okum
utpagai ulagil vaerundo

(Utharakaandam-Elavinan-29)