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
Modern English
“True hospitality welcomes people who are present and remains ready to help the next person who may need care.”
Modern Interpretation
True hospitality welcomes people who are present and remains ready to help the next person who may need care. It is an attitude of openness, not a performance for one special visitor. For example, a community kitchen that serves today's guests and prepares for tomorrow's arrivals shows steady generosity.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
True hospitality welcomes people who are present and remains ready to help the next person who may need care.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
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
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
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
Tamil commentary
வந்த விருந்தினரைப் பேணி, வரும் விருந்தை எதிர்பார்த்து இருப்பவன் மறுமையில் வானத்தவர்க்கு நல்ல விருந்தினன் ஆவான்.
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