Thirukkural 86 in English

Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.

Tamil original

செல்விருந்து ஓம்பி வருவிருந்து பார்த்திருப்பான்
நல்வருந்து வானத் தவர்க்கு.

Transliteration

Selvirundhu Ompi Varuvirundhu Paarththiruppaan
Nalvarundhu Vaanath Thavarkku

English Translation

“Who tends a guest and looks for next Is a welcome guest in heaven's feast”

Plain-English meaning

He who, having entertained the guests that have come, looks out for others who may yet come, will be a welcome guest to the inhabitants of heaven

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

Who tends a guest and looks for next Is a welcome guest in heaven's feast

G.U. Pope Translation

The guest arrived he tends, the coming guest expects to see;To those in heavenly homes that dwell a welcome guest is he

Plain-English Meaning

He who, having entertained the guests that have come, looks out for others who may yet come, will be a welcome guest to the inhabitants of heaven

வந்த விருந்தினரைப் பேணி, வரும் விருந்தை எதிர்பார்த்து இருப்பவன் மறுமையில் வானத்தவர்க்கு நல்ல விருந்தினன் ஆவான்.

Chapter 9

விருந்தோம்பல்

Men set up home, toil and earn To tend the guests and do good turn

To keep out guests cannot be good Albeit you eat nector-like food

Who tends his guests day in and out His life in want never wears out

The goddess of wealth will gladly rest Where smiles welcome the worthy guest

Should his field be sown who first Feeds the guests and eats the rest?

Who tends a guest and looks for next Is a welcome guest in heaven's feast

Worth of the guest of quality Is worth of hospitality

Who loathe guest-service one day cry: \"We toil and store; but life is dry\"

The man of wealth is poor indeed Whose folly fails the guest to feed

Anicham smelt withers: like that A wry-faced look withers the guest