Kural 16Chapter 2: The Blessing of Rain

Thirukkural 16 in English

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

Tamil original

விசும்பின் துளிவீழின் அல்லால்மற் றாங்கே
பசும்புல் தலைகாண்பு அரிது.

Transliteration

Visumpin Thuliveezhin Allaalmar Raange
Pasumpul Thalaikaanpu Aridhu

Modern English

“Great achievements often depend on small but essential inputs.”

Modern Interpretation

Great achievements often depend on small but essential inputs. A healthy tree begins with a tiny seed, and a successful career begins with small daily efforts. Just as even grass cannot grow without a few drops of rain, progress in life cannot happen without consistent support, learning, and effort. People often focus on big results while ignoring the small actions that make them possible. This Kural reminds us that small, regular contributions are the foundation of all growth.

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Modern Plain English

Great achievements often depend on small but essential inputs.

Poetic Couplet (Bharati)

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

G.U. Pope Translation

If from the clouds no drops of rain are shed'Tis rare to see green herb lift up its head

Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)

If no drop falls from the clouds, not even the green blade of grass will be seen

Tamil commentary

மேகத்திலிருந்து மழைத்துளி விழாது போனால், பசும்புல்லின் நுனியைக்கூட இங்கே காண்பது அரிதாகிவிடும்

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