Thirukkural 1036 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
உழவினார் கைம்மடங்கின் இல்லை விழைவதூஉம்
விட்டேம்என் பார்க்கும் நிலை.
Transliteration
Uzhavinaar Kaimmatangin Illai Vizhaivadhooum
Vittemen Paarkkum Nilai
Modern English
“If farmers stop working, even people who have renounced ordinary possessions cannot survive.”
Modern Interpretation
If farmers stop working, even people who have renounced ordinary possessions cannot survive. For example, a retreat or monastery still depends on farmers to provide the food its residents eat.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
If farmers stop working, even people who have renounced ordinary possessions cannot survive.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Should ploughmen sit folding their hands Desire-free monks too suffer wants
G.U. Pope Translation
For those who 've left what all men love no place is found,When they with folded hands remain who till the ground
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
If the farmer's hands are slackened, even the ascetic state will fail
Tamil commentary
உழுபவர் கை மட்டும் வேலை செய்யாது மடங்கிவிட்டால், எல்லாரும் விரும்பும் உணவையும், நாம் விட்டுவிட்டோம் என்று கூறும் துறவியரும்கூட அவரது அறத்தில் நிலைத்து நிற்க முடியாது.
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