Kural 11Chapter 2: The Blessing of Rain

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

Modern English

“We often celebrate technology, wealth, and progress, but none of them matter without the basics that keep life going.”

Modern Interpretation

We often celebrate technology, wealth, and progress, but none of them matter without the basics that keep life going. Rain supports food production, drinking water, and entire ecosystems. Just as we realize the importance of electricity only during a power outage, we often realize the value of rain only during a drought. This Kural reminds us to appreciate the fundamental things that quietly support our lives every day.

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Modern Plain English

We often celebrate technology, wealth, and progress, but none of them matter without the basics that keep life going.

Poetic Couplet (Bharati)

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

Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)

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

Tamil commentary

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

Chapter 2

More from The Blessing of Rain

வான்சிறப்பு

Read all 10 Kurals →

Kural 11

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

Kural 12

The rain begets the food we eat

Kural 13

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

Kural 14

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

Kural 15

Destruction it may sometimes pour But only rain can life restore

Kural 16

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

Kural 17

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

Kural 18

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

Kural 19

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

Kural 20

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