Thirukkural 20 in English

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

Tamil original

நீர்இன்று அமையாது உலகெனின் யார்யார்க்கும்
வான்இன்று அமையாது ஒழுக்கு.

Transliteration

Neerindru Amaiyaadhu Ulakenin Yaaryaarkkum
Vaanindru Amaiyaadhu Ozhukku

English Translation

“Water is life that comes from rain Sans rain our duties go in vain”

Plain-English meaning

If it be said that the duties of life cannot be discharged by any person without water, so without rain there cannot be the flowing of water

Listen

Tamil pronunciation

Speed

English Translation

Water is life that comes from rain Sans rain our duties go in vain

G.U. Pope Translation

When water fails, functions of nature cease, you say;Thus when rain fails, no men can walk in 'duty's ordered way'

Plain-English Meaning

If it be said that the duties of life cannot be discharged by any person without water, so without rain there cannot be the flowing of water

எத்தனை பெரியவரானாலும் நீர் இல்லாமல் வாழமுடியாது; அந்த நீரோ மழை இல்லாமல் கிடைக்காது

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