Thirukkural 18 in English

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

Tamil original

சிறப்பொடு பூசனை செல்லாது வானம்
வறக்குமேல் வானோர்க்கும் ஈண்டு.

Transliteration

Sirappotu Poosanai Sellaadhu Vaanam
Varakkumel Vaanorkkum Eentu

English Translation

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

Plain-English meaning

If the heaven dry up, neither yearly festivals, nor daily worship will be offered in this world, to the celestials

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

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

G.U. Pope Translation

If heaven grow dry, with feast and offering never more,Will men on earth the heavenly ones adore

Plain-English Meaning

If the heaven dry up, neither yearly festivals, nor daily worship will be offered in this world, to the celestials

மழை பொய்த்துப் போனால் தெய்வத்திற்குத் தினமும் நடக்கும் பூசனையும் நடக்காது; ஆண்டுதோறும் கொண்டாடப்படும் திருவிழாவும் நடைபெறாது

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