Thirukkural 542 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
வானோக்கி வாழும் உலகெல்லாம் மன்னவன்
கோல் நோக்கி வாழுங் குடி.
Transliteration
Vaanokki Vaazhum Ulakellaam Mannavan
Kol Nokki Vaazhung Kuti
Modern English
“People thrive under fair and responsible leadership, just as living things depend on rain.”
Modern Interpretation
People thrive under fair and responsible leadership, just as living things depend on rain. For example, students work and learn better when their school has clear rules that apply equally to everyone.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
People thrive under fair and responsible leadership, just as living things depend on rain.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
The earth looks up to sky and thrives And mankind to king's rod of justice
G.U. Pope Translation
All earth looks up to heav'n whence raindrops fall;All subjects look to king that ruleth all
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
When there is rain, the living creation thrives; and so when the king rules justly, his subjects thrive
Tamil commentary
உயிர்கள் எல்லாம் மழையை எதிர்பார்த்தே வாழும்; குடிமக்களோ ஆளுவோரின் நேர்மையான ஆட்சியை எதிர்பார்த்தே வாழ்வர்.
Chapter 55
More from The Right Sceptre
செங்கோன்மை
Test and attest impartially Consult and act the laws justly
Kural 542The earth looks up to sky and thrives And mankind to king's rod of justice
Kural 543The Sage's scripture and virtue spring From the sceptre of a stately king
Kural 544The world clings to the ruler's feet Whose sceptre clasps the people's heart
Kural 545Full rains and yields enrich the land Which is ruled by a righteous hand
Kural 546Not the spear but the sceptre straight That brings success to monarch's might
Kural 547The king protects the entire earth And justice protects his royal worth
Kural 548Hard of access, the unjust king He shall himself his ruin bring
Kural 549Save his subjects and chide the wrong Is flawless duty of a king
Kural 550Killing killers, the king, behold Weeds removes from cropful field