Thirukkural 85 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
வித்தும் இடல்வேண்டும் கொல்லோ விருந்தோம்பி
மிச்சில் மிசைவான் புலம்.
Transliteration
Viththum Italventum Kollo Virundhompi
Michchil Misaivaan Pulam
Modern English
“The verse praises such generous hospitality that it imagines the host's fields will naturally prosper.”
Modern Interpretation
The verse praises such generous hospitality that it imagines the host's fields will naturally prosper. It is not a promise that generosity removes the need for work or planning. For example, a farmer who shares food with travellers may still need to plant and care for the crop, but their generosity earns goodwill and support.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
The verse praises such generous hospitality that it imagines the host's fields will naturally prosper.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Should his field be sown who first Feeds the guests and eats the rest?
G.U. Pope Translation
Who first regales his guest, and then himself supplies,O'er all his fields, unsown, shall plenteous harvests rise
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Is it necessary to sow the field of the man who, having feasted his guests, eats what may remain ?
Tamil commentary
விருந்தினர் முதலில் உண்ண, மிஞ்சியவற்றையே உண்பவனின் நிலத்தில் விதைக்கவும் வேண்டுமா?
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