Thirukkural 557 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
துளியின்மை ஞாலத்திற்கு எற்றற்றே வேந்தன்
அளியின்மை வாழும் உயிர்க்கு.
Transliteration
Thuliyinmai Gnaalaththirku Etratre Vendhan
Aliyinmai Vaazhum Uyirkku
Modern English
“Just as land cannot live without rain, people cannot thrive under a ruler without compassion.”
Modern Interpretation
Just as land cannot live without rain, people cannot thrive under a ruler without compassion. A principal who listens and helps students in difficulty can make a whole school feel secure.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
Just as land cannot live without rain, people cannot thrive under a ruler without compassion.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Dry like the earth without rainfall Is graceless king to creatures all
G.U. Pope Translation
As lack of rain to thirsty lands beneath,Is lack of grace in kings to all that breathe
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
As is the world without rain, so live a people whose king is without kindness
Tamil commentary
மழை இல்லாது போனால் எத்தகைய துயரத்தை மக்கள் அடைவார்களோ, அத்தகைய துயரத்தை, நேர்மையில்லாத ஆட்சியின் கீழும் அடைவார்கள்.
Chapter 56
More from The Cruel Sceptre
கொடுங்கோன்மை
The unjust tyrant oppressor Is worse than cruel murderer
Kural 552Sceptered tyrant exacting gold Is \"give\" of lanced robber bold
Kural 553Spy wrongs daily and do justice Or day by day the realm decays
Kural 554The king shall wealth and subjects lose If his sceptre he dares abuse
Kural 555Groaning tears caused by tyrant's sway File the royal wealth away
Kural 556Glory endures by sceptre right Without it wanes the royal light
Kural 557Dry like the earth without rainfall Is graceless king to creatures all
Kural 558To have is worse than having not If ruler is unjust despot
Kural 559The sky withdraws season's shower If the king misuses his power
Kural 560The *six-functioned forget their lore Cows give less if kings guard no more * the six functions are: learning, teaching, giving, getting, sacrificing, kindling sacrifice These are duties of Vedic savants