Thirukkural 11 in English

Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.

Tamil original

வான்நின்று உலகம் வழங்கி வருதலால்
தான்அமிழ்தம் என்றுணரற் பாற்று.

Transliteration

Vaannindru Ulakam Vazhangi Varudhalaal
Thaanamizhdham Endrunarar Paatru

English Translation

“The genial rain ambrosia call: The world but lasts while rain shall fall”

Plain-English meaning

By the continuance of rain the world is preserved in existence; it is therefore worthy to be called ambrosia

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Tamil pronunciation

Speed

English Translation

The genial rain ambrosia call: The world but lasts while rain shall fall

G.U. Pope Translation

The world its course maintains through life that rain unfailing gives;Thus rain is known the true ambrosial food of all that lives

Plain-English Meaning

By the continuance of rain the world is preserved in existence; it is therefore worthy to be called ambrosia

உரிய காலத்தில் இடைவிடாது மழை பெய்வதால்தான் உலகம் நிலைபெற்று வருகிறது; அதனால் மழையே அமிழ்தம் எனலாம்

Chapter 2

வான்சிறப்பு

The genial rain ambrosia call: The world but lasts while rain shall fall

The rain begets the food we eat

Let clouds their visits stay, and dearth Distresses all the sea-girt earth

Unless the fruitful shower descend, The ploughman's sacred toil must end

Destruction it may sometimes pour But only rain can life restore

No grassy blade its head will rear, If from the cloud no drop appear

The ocean's wealth will waste away, Except the cloud its stores repay

The earth, beneath a barren sky, Would offerings for the gods deny

Were heaven above to fail below Nor alms nor penance earth would show

Water is life that comes from rain Sans rain our duties go in vain