Thirukkural 90 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
மோப்பக் குழையும் அனிச்சம் முகந்திரிந்து
நோக்கக் குநழ்யும் விருந்து.
Transliteration
Moppak Kuzhaiyum Anichcham Mukandhirindhu
Nokkak Kuzhaiyum Virundhu
Modern English
“A guest can feel unwelcome from one cold expression or careless glance.”
Modern Interpretation
A guest can feel unwelcome from one cold expression or careless glance. The verse compares this hurt to the delicate Anicham flower fading when touched or smelled. For example, a host who keeps looking at their phone while a visitor speaks may make the visitor regret coming, even if food has been offered.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
A guest can feel unwelcome from one cold expression or careless glance.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Anicham smelt withers: like that A wry-faced look withers the guest
G.U. Pope Translation
The flower of 'Anicha' withers away, If you do but its fragrance inhale;If the face of the host cold welcome convey, The guest's heart within him will fail
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
As the Anicham flower fades in smelling, so fades the guest when the face is turned away
Tamil commentary
தொட்டு மோந்து பார்த்த அளவில் அனிச்சப்பூ வாடும்; நம் முகம் வேறுபட்டுப் பார்த்த அளவில் விருந்து வாடும்.
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