Thirukkural 1031 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
சுழன்றும்ஏர்ப் பின்னது உலகம் அதனால்
உழந்தும் உழவே தலை.
Transliteration
Suzhandrumerp Pinnadhu Ulakam Adhanaal
Uzhandhum Uzhave Thalai
Modern English
“Farming is demanding, yet it is among the most important kinds of work because every other occupation depends on food from the land.”
Modern Interpretation
Farming is demanding, yet it is among the most important kinds of work because every other occupation depends on food from the land. For example, every meal eaten by an office worker or student begins with a farmer's labor.
Listen
Tamil pronunciation
Compare translations
Modern Plain English
Farming is demanding, yet it is among the most important kinds of work because every other occupation depends on food from the land.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Farming though hard is foremost trade Men ply at will but ploughmen lead
G.U. Pope Translation
Howe'er they roam, the world must follow still the plougher's team;Though toilsome, culture of the ground as noblest toil esteem
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Agriculture, though laborious, is the most excellent (form of labour); for people, though they go about (in search of various employments), have at last to resort to the farmer
Tamil commentary
உழவுத் தொழிலில் இருக்கும் நெருக்கடிகளை எண்ணி, வேறு வேறு தொழிலுக்குச் சென்றாலும் உலகம் ஏரின் பின்தான் இயங்குகிறது. அதனால் எத்தனை வருத்தம் இருந்தாலும் உழவுத் தொழிலே முதன்மையானது.
Chapter 104
More from Farming
உழவு
Farming though hard is foremost trade Men ply at will but ploughmen lead
Kural 1032Tillers are linch-pin of mankind Bearing the rest who cannot tend
Kural 1033They live who live to plough and eat The rest behind them bow and eat
Kural 1034Who have the shade of cornful crest Under their umbra umbrellas rest
Kural 1035Who till and eat, beg not; nought hide But give to those who are in need
Kural 1036Should ploughmen sit folding their hands Desire-free monks too suffer wants
Kural 1037Moulds dried to quarter-dust ensure Rich crops without handful manure
Kural 1038Better manure than plough; then weed; Than irrigating, better guard
Kural 1039If landsmen sit sans moving about The field like wife will sulk and pout
Kural 1040Fair good earth will laugh to see Idlers pleading poverty