Kural 14Chapter 2: The Blessing of Rain

Thirukkural 14 in English

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

Tamil original

ஏரின் உழாஅர் உழவர் புயல்என்னும்
வாரி வளங்குன்றிக் கால்.

Transliteration

Erin Uzhaaar Uzhavar Puyalennum
Vaari Valangundrik Kaal

Modern English

“Even the most skilled and hardworking people need the right conditions to succeed.”

Modern Interpretation

Even the most skilled and hardworking people need the right conditions to succeed. A farmer may have fertile land, good tools, and years of experience, but without rain, crops cannot grow. In the same way, a software developer needs a functioning computer, a student needs learning resources, and a business needs customers. Talent and effort are important, but success also depends on having the essential support systems in place. This Kural reminds us to appreciate the foundations that make achievement possible and to never take them for granted.

Listen

Tamil pronunciation

Speed

Compare translations

Modern Plain English

Even the most skilled and hardworking people need the right conditions to succeed.

Poetic Couplet (Bharati)

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

G.U. Pope Translation

If clouds their wealth of waters fail on earth to pour,The ploughers plough with oxen's sturdy team no more

Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)

If the abundance of wealth imparting rain diminish, the labour of the plough must cease

Tamil commentary

மழை என்னும் வருவாய் தன் வளத்தில் குறைந்தால், உழவர் ஏரால் உழவு செய்யமாட்டார்

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