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

English Translation

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

Plain-English meaning

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

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Tamil pronunciation

Speed

English Translation

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

Plain-English Meaning

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

மழை என்னும் வருவாய் தன் வளத்தில் குறைந்தால், உழவர் ஏரால் உழவு செய்யமாட்டார்

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