அடக்கம் ஒருவனைப் பிற்காலத்தில் தேவர் உலகிற்குக் கொண்டு சேர்க்கும்; அடங்காமல் வாழ்வதோ அவனை நிறைந்த இருளுக்குக் கொண்டு போகும்.

அடக்கம் அழியாத புகழைக் கொடுக்கும் அடங்காமை வாழ்வையே இருளாக்கி விடும்

அடக்கம் ஒருவனை உயர்த்தித் தேவருள் சேர்க்கும்; அடக்கம் இல்லாதிருத்தல், பொல்லாத இருள் போன்ற தீய வாழ்க்கையில் செலுத்தி விடும்.

Self-control will place (a man) among the Gods; the want of it will drive (him) into the thickest darkness (of hell)

The Thiru Kural verse 121 emphasizes the importance of self-control in one's life and its impact on one's spiritual journey. The verse states that exercising self-control can elevate an individual to the divine status, akin to the Gods. Here, being among the Gods can be interpreted as reaching a higher state of consciousness, purity, and virtue, where one is free from the earthly desires, malice, and negativity. On the contrary, the absence of self-control can lead an individual into darkness, symbolically representing a state of ignorance, confusion, and suffering. This darkness could also be interpreted as the cycle of birth and death or the worldly miseries we face due to our uncontrolled desires and actions. The verse essentially underlines that self-control serves as a guiding light, leading us towards enlightenment, while the lack of it can trap us in the cycle of ignorance and suffering. In a broader sense, this verse is an ethical guide, advising individuals to exercise control over their senses and desires to lead a virtuous and fulfilling life. It implies that self-restraint is not just about suppressing one's desires, but it's about channeling them in the right direction for personal growth and spiritual enlightenment. The verse also subtly hints at the concept of karma, suggesting that our actions, guided by our self-control or lack thereof, determine our life's course and spiritual journey.