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
Modern English
“Before people can focus on celebrations, culture, spirituality, or higher goals, their basic needs must be met.”
Modern Interpretation
Before people can focus on celebrations, culture, spirituality, or higher goals, their basic needs must be met. When there is a severe drought, communities first worry about food, water, and survival. Only after these essentials are secured can people fully participate in festivals, charitable activities, and social gatherings. In modern life, this principle applies everywhere. A person struggling with basic necessities finds it difficult to focus on personal growth or long-term ambitions. This Kural reminds us that strong foundations support everything else, including culture, community, and spiritual well-being.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
Before people can focus on celebrations, culture, spirituality, or higher goals, their basic needs must be met.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
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
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
If the heaven dry up, neither yearly festivals, nor daily worship will be offered in this world, to the celestials
Tamil commentary
மழை பொய்த்துப் போனால் தெய்வத்திற்குத் தினமும் நடக்கும் பூசனையும் நடக்காது; ஆண்டுதோறும் கொண்டாடப்படும் திருவிழாவும் நடைபெறாது
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