Thirukkural 42 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
துறந்தார்க்கும் துவ்வாதவர்க்கும் இறந்தார்க்கும்
இல்வாழ்வான் என்பான் துணை.
Transliteration
Thurandhaarkkum Thuvvaa Dhavarkkum Irandhaarkkum
Ilvaazhvaan Enpaan Thunai
Modern English
“A good household also has a responsibility to people beyond its own walls.”
Modern Interpretation
A good household also has a responsibility to people beyond its own walls. It should offer support to those who have chosen a life of service, those facing poverty, and those who are left without protection or family. For example, a family can share food with a person in need, support a community shelter, or help a grieving neighbour. Domestic virtue includes caring for the vulnerable.
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Modern Plain English
A good household also has a responsibility to people beyond its own walls.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
His help the monk and retired share, And celibate students are his care
G.U. Pope Translation
To anchorites, to indigent, to those who've passed away,The man for household virtue famed is needful held and stay
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
He will be said to flourish in domestic virtue who aids the forsaken, the poor, and the dead
Tamil commentary
மனைவியோடு வாழ்பவன்தான் துறவியர், வறுமைப்பட்டவர், இறந்து போனவர் என்பவர்க்கும் உதவுபவன்
Chapter 5
More from Domestic Life
இல்வாழ்க்கை
The ideal householder is he Who aids the natural orders there
Kural 42His help the monk and retired share, And celibate students are his care
Kural 43By dutiful householder's aid God, manes, kin, self and guests are served
Kural 44Sin he shuns and food he shares His home is bright and brighter fares
Kural 45In grace and gain the home excels, Where love with virtue sweetly dwells
Kural 46Who turns from righteous family To be a monk, what profits he?
Kural 47Of all who strive for bliss, the great Is he who leads the married state
Kural 48Straight in virtue, right in living Make men brighter than monks praying
Kural 49Home-life and virtue, are the same; Which spotless monkhood too can claim
Kural 50He is a man of divine worth Who lives in ideal home on earth