Thirukkural 83 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
வருவிருந்து வைகலும் ஓம்புவான் வாழ்க்கை
பருவந்து பாழ்படுதல் இன்று.
Transliteration
Varuvirundhu Vaikalum Ompuvaan Vaazhkkai
Paruvandhu Paazhpatudhal Indru
Modern English
“A household that regularly welcomes and helps people does not become spiritually poor.”
Modern Interpretation
A household that regularly welcomes and helps people does not become spiritually poor. Hospitality builds trust, friendship, and support that may return when the family needs help. For example, neighbours who share food and look after one another during a crisis are less likely to face hardship alone.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
A household that regularly welcomes and helps people does not become spiritually poor.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Who tends his guests day in and out His life in want never wears out
G.U. Pope Translation
Each day he tends the coming guest with kindly care;Painless, unfailing plenty shall his household share
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
The domestic life of the man that daily entertains the guests who come to him shall not be laid waste by poverty
Tamil commentary
நாளும் வரும் விருந்தினரைப் பேணுபவனின் வாழ்க்கை வறுமைப்பட்டுக் கெட்டுப் போவது இல்லை.
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