Thirukkural 559 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
முறைகோடி மன்னவன் செய்யின் உறைகோடி
ஒல்லாது வானம் பெயல்.
Transliteration
Muraikoti Mannavan Seyyin Uraikoti
Ollaadhu Vaanam Peyal
Modern English
“The verse links a ruler's justice with the land's prosperity, warning that bad rule disrupts the conditions that sustain life.”
Modern Interpretation
The verse links a ruler's justice with the land's prosperity, warning that bad rule disrupts the conditions that sustain life. When officials neglect irrigation and farmers, even a rainy season can fail to feed the community.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
The verse links a ruler's justice with the land's prosperity, warning that bad rule disrupts the conditions that sustain life.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
The sky withdraws season's shower If the king misuses his power
G.U. Pope Translation
Where king from right deflecting, makes unrighteous gain,The seasons change, the clouds pour down no rain
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
If the king acts contrary to justice, rain will become unseasonable, and the heavens will withhold their showers
Tamil commentary
ஆட்சியாளர் நீதி தவறினால் நாட்டில் பருவகாலமும் தவறி மழையும் பெய்யாது போகும்.
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