Thirukkural 81 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
இருந்தோம்பி இல்வாழ்வ தெல்லாம் விருந்தோம்பி
வேளாண்மை செய்தற் பொருட்டு.
Transliteration
Irundhompi Ilvaazhva Thellaam Virundhompi
Velaanmai Seydhar Poruttu
Modern English
“A household should not exist only to collect money and protect its own comfort.”
Modern Interpretation
A household should not exist only to collect money and protect its own comfort. Its resources should also make it possible to welcome and help others. For example, a family may keep enough food and space to invite a neighbour, host a visiting relative, or support someone facing a difficult time.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
A household should not exist only to collect money and protect its own comfort.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Men set up home, toil and earn To tend the guests and do good turn
G.U. Pope Translation
All household cares and course of daily life have this in viewGuests to receive with courtesy, and kindly acts to do
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
The whole design of living in the domestic state and laying up (property) is (to be able) to exercise the benevolence of hospitality
Tamil commentary
வீட்டில் இருந்து, பொருள்களைச் சேர்த்தும் காத்தும் வாழ்வது எல்லாம், வந்த விருந்தினரைப் பேணி அவர்களுக்கு உதவுவதற்கே ஆம்.
Chapter 9
More from Hospitality
விருந்தோம்பல்
Men set up home, toil and earn To tend the guests and do good turn
Kural 82To keep out guests cannot be good Albeit you eat nector-like food
Kural 83Who tends his guests day in and out His life in want never wears out
Kural 84The goddess of wealth will gladly rest Where smiles welcome the worthy guest
Kural 85Should his field be sown who first Feeds the guests and eats the rest?
Kural 86Who tends a guest and looks for next Is a welcome guest in heaven's feast
Kural 87Worth of the guest of quality Is worth of hospitality
Kural 88Who loathe guest-service one day cry: \"We toil and store; but life is dry\"
Kural 89The man of wealth is poor indeed Whose folly fails the guest to feed
Kural 90Anicham smelt withers: like that A wry-faced look withers the guest