# III: The Greatness of Those Who Have Renounced the World explained — The Kural

> Chapter companion for The Kural by Thiruvalluvar.

## What happens

This chapter extols the virtue and spiritual power of ascetics who have renounced worldly sense-enjoyments and live a disciplined life. It compares their greatness to the immeasurable, emphasizes their mastery over the five senses, and declares that such renunciants are the true Brahmans, worthy of reverence and compassion.

## Themes in this chapter

### Asceticism and Spiritual Discipline

The entire chapter glorifies renunciation and self-control, portraying ascetics as the highest beings.

### The Vanity of Worldly Life

The chapter contrasts worldly sense-enjoyments with the superior path of renunciation, implying the transient nature of material life.

## Character check-ins

### Thiruvalluvar

Author of the Kural, presenting the chapter on renunciation.

### the Kural

The text itself, which is the source of the teachings on ascetic greatness.

## Key lines

> Behold the men who have renounced sense-enjoyments and live a life of discipline: the scriptures exalt their glory above every other good.

Those who give up sensual pleasures and follow a disciplined life are praised in sacred texts as the highest good.

_Opening verse establishing the supremacy of renunciation._

> Behold the man whose firm will controlleth his five senses even as the goading hook controlleth the elephant: he is a seed fit for the fields of heaven.

A person who masters their five senses with strong will, like an elephant trainer uses a hook, is destined for heavenly reward.

_Metaphor of the elephant hook to illustrate self-control._

> It is saintly men that are to be called Brahmans: for it is they that have compassion on all life.

True Brahmans are those who are saintly and show compassion to all living beings.

_Final verse redefining Brahmanhood in terms of compassion and renunciation._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/iii-the-greatness-of-those-who-have-renounced-the-world
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_kural_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_kural_se/chapters