AAMAI TURTLE DAY 23 5 25
Is a turtle a tortoise? No, a turtle is not a tortoise, although all tortoises are turtles. Tortoises are land-dwelling reptiles, while turtles are aquatic or semi-aquatic. The key difference lies in their habitat adaptations, with tortoises having more rounded, domed shells and sturdier legs for land travel, while turtles have thinner, more streamlined shells for swimming. In the context of Tamil literature and particularly Thirukkural, "aamai" ( ஆமை) refers to a tortoise or turtle. Aamai plays a role in the 126th kural, which speaks about the importance of self-control and discipline. The kural uses the example of a tortoise retracting its limbs and head into its shell to illustrate the concept of self-control. The Symbolism: The tortoise is used as a metaphor for self-control. When faced with danger, a tortoise retracts its limbs and head into its shell for protection. Similarly, the kural suggests that one should control their senses (sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell) and their mind to avoid negativity. Bhagavad Gita and Thirukkural The relevant verse (2:58) translates to: "One who is able to withdraw his senses from sense objects, as the tortoise draws its limbs within the shell, is firmly fixed in perfect consciousness." The tortoise analogy is used to emphasize the importance of controlling the senses and maintaining a steady, focused mind. It highlights the yogic principle of pratyahara, or the withdrawal of the senses, which is crucial for achieving self-realization. Bg. 2.58 यदा संहरते चायं कूर्मोऽङ्गानीव सर्वशः । इन्द्रियाणीन्द्रियार्थेभ्यस्तस्य प्रज्ञा प्रतिष्ठिता ॥ ५८ ॥ yadā saṁharate cāyaṁ kūrmo ’ṅgānīva sarvaśaḥ indriyāṇīndriyārthebhyas tasya prajñā pratiṣṭhitā yadā — when; saṁharate — winds up; ca — also; ayam — he; kūrmaḥ — tortoise; aṅgāni — limbs; iva — like; sarvaśaḥ — altogether; indriyāṇi — senses; indriya-arthebhyaḥ — from the sense objects; tasya — his; prajñā — consciousness; pratiṣṭhitā — fixed. One who is able to withdraw his senses from sense objects, as the tortoise draws its limbs within the shell, is firmly fixed in perfect consciousness. ஒருமையுள் ஆமைபோல் ஐந்தடக்கல் ஆற்றின் எழுநம்யும் ஏமாப் புடைத்து. (௱௨௰௬ - 126) orumaiyuḷ āmaipōl aintaṭakkal āṟṟiṉ eḻunamyum ēmāp puṭaittu. — (Transliteration) Like a tortoise, withdraw your five senses in one birth, To protect you in the next seven. ஆமை தன் நான்கு கால், ஒரு தலை ஆகிய ஐந்து உறுப்புகளையும் ஆபத்து வரும்போது ஓட்டுக்குள் மறைத்துக் கொள்வது போல, ஒருவன் தன் ஒரு பிறப்பில் மெய், வாய், கண், மூக்கு, செவி ஆகிய ஐந்து பொறிகளையும் அறத்திற்கு மாறான தீமை வரும்போது அடக்கும் ஆற்றல் பெறுவான் என்றால், அது அவனுக்குப் பிறவி தோறும் ஏழு பிறப்பிலும் - அரணாக இருந்து உதவும். (௱௨௰௬) TODAY WORLD TURTLES DAY K RAJARAM IRS 23525 -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Thatha_Patty" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/thatha_patty/CAL5XZoqTGJzNn17zUL36MCwuh9ZdG4KTZQDzJyrnjdxWFsXWrA%40mail.gmail.com.
