Thirukkural 12 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
துப்பார்க்குத் துப்பாய துப்பாக்கித் துப்பார்க்குத்
துப்பாய தூஉம் மழை.
Transliteration
Thuppaarkkuth Thuppaaya Thuppaakkith Thuppaarkkuth
Thuppaaya Thooum Mazhai
Modern English
“Some things create value in more than one way.”
Modern Interpretation
Some things create value in more than one way. Rain helps farmers grow fruits, vegetables, and grains, while also filling rivers, lakes, and reservoirs that provide drinking water. A good example is a teacher who not only shares knowledge but also inspires confidence and curiosity. Just as rain supports life directly and indirectly, some people and systems contribute far more than we initially realize. This Kural teaches us to recognize and appreciate such multipurpose sources of value.
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Modern Plain English
Some things create value in more than one way.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
The rain begets the food we eat
G.U. Pope Translation
The rain makes pleasant food for eaters rise;As food itself, thirst-quenching draught supplies
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Rain produces good food, and is itself food
Tamil commentary
நல்ல உணவுகளைச் சமைக்கவும், சமைக்கப்பட்ட உணவுகளை உண்பவர்க்கு இன்னுமோர் உணவாகவும் பயன்படுவது மழையே
Chapter 2
More from The Blessing of Rain
வான்சிறப்பு
The genial rain ambrosia call: The world but lasts while rain shall fall
Kural 12The rain begets the food we eat
Kural 13Let clouds their visits stay, and dearth Distresses all the sea-girt earth
Kural 14Unless the fruitful shower descend, The ploughman's sacred toil must end
Kural 15Destruction it may sometimes pour But only rain can life restore
Kural 16No grassy blade its head will rear, If from the cloud no drop appear
Kural 17The ocean's wealth will waste away, Except the cloud its stores repay
Kural 18The earth, beneath a barren sky, Would offerings for the gods deny
Kural 19Were heaven above to fail below Nor alms nor penance earth would show
Kural 20Water is life that comes from rain Sans rain our duties go in vain