இறைச்சி, இன்னோர் உடம்பின் புண்; அறிந்தவர் அதை உண்ணக்கூடாது.

புலால் என்பது வேறோர் உயிரின் உடற்புண் என்பதை உணர்ந்தோர் அதனை உண்ணாமல் இருக்கவேண்டும்

புலால் உண்ணாமலிருக்க வேண்டும், ஆராய்ந்து அறிவாரைப் பெற்றால், அப் புலால் வேறோர் உயிரின் புண் என்பதை உணரலாம்.

If men should come to know that flesh is nothing but the unclean ulcer of a body, let them abstain from eating it

This verse from Thiru Kural advocates for abstaining from eating meat. The poet, Thiruvalluvar, presents a perspective that flesh (meat) is essentially an unclean part of another living being's body, equating it to an ulcer or a sore. The term 'pulaaal' used here is a metaphorical reference to flesh as a disease or an ulcer. The underlying principle that Thiruvalluvar is trying to convey is the concept of 'Ahimsa' or non-violence, which is a fundamental tenet in many Indian philosophies and religions. It propagates the idea that one should not cause harm or pain to another living being, and in this context, it implies abstaining from eating meat. Thiruvalluvar suggests that if people truly understood the nature of what they are consuming, they would abstain from it. This verse encourages introspection and consciousness about our food habits, urging us to make ethical and compassionate choices. In a broader sense, this verse can be interpreted as a call for empathy towards all living beings and a plea for a more harmonious co-existence. It's not just about dietary choices, but also about cultivating a mindset of respect and consideration for all forms of life.