Kurral means short verse, almost like a telegram. Each Kurral is self-explanatory. The ones given here are on listening and the importance of listening.

411: Through your ears to hear, to listen and to understand
Is to make gold of grain and golden grain of sand

412: Only when what’s to be got from listening has been got
May one turn to what eating may be brought

414: Learn by listening if from reading you cannot
That’ll be the staff from which your grip on life is got

415: If you hold a staff in hand, slippery grounds can hold no dread
With learning held in a virtuous hand, well-being lies ahead.

These are extracts from the Tirukkural composed in Tamil by Tiruvalluvar sometime between 2 BCE and 5 CE. It is believed that he had one or more professions, a weaver, an ascetic, a teacher, a sailor or even a king.

It is so important for one to listen. How much listening do we do? There is a simple practice called Antar Mouna, which is based on listening. Antar Mouna means inner silence. How does one practice it?

Practice Antar Mouna

Sit with your eyes closed. Become aware of the sound of your breathing. Focus on it. After a while listen to the sounds around you. Listen to the softest sound and the loudest sound, do not identify who or what is making these sounds. This is called external awareness. Now internalize your awareness and listen to the sound of your spontaneous breathing. Shift between internal and external awareness. Practice for 20 minutes.
This sadhana declutters your mind and does not allow your thoughts to confuse you.

The Kurrals are teaching one to remove confusion from one’s thoughts and listening is an art. By attending Satsang, listening to chants one quietens one’s mind. When that happens, one is free from fear.

Aim Hrim Klim