Thirukkural 560 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
ஆபயன் குன்றும் அறுதொழிலோர் நூல்மறப்பர்
காவலன் காவான் எனின்.
Transliteration
Aapayan Kundrum Arudhozhilor Noolmarappar
Kaavalan Kaavaan Enin
Modern English
“When those responsible for protecting a society fail, farming, useful work, and learning all suffer.”
Modern Interpretation
When those responsible for protecting a society fail, farming, useful work, and learning all suffer. If a town leaves its water system unsafe, farms lose crops and schools lose the stability needed to teach.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
When those responsible for protecting a society fail, farming, useful work, and learning all suffer.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
The *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
G.U. Pope Translation
Where guardian guardeth not, udder of kine grows dry,And Brahmans' sacred lore will all forgotten lie
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
If the guardian (of the country) neglects to guard it, the produce of the cows will fail, and the men of six duties viz, the Brahmins will forget the vedas
Tamil commentary
காவல் செய்யவேண்டிய ஆட்சியாளர் மக்களைக் காவாத, போனால், அறனற்ற அவர் நாட்டில் பால் வளம் குறையும். ஞானியர் நூல்களை மறந்துவிடுவர்.
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