Chapter 9: Hospitality

இருந்தோம்பி இல்வாழ்வ தெல்லாம் விருந்தோம்பி
வேளாண்மை செய்தற் பொருட்டு.

Irundhompi Ilvaazhva Thellaam Virundhompi
Velaanmai Seydhar Poruttu

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

Meaning: The whole design of living in the domestic state and laying up (property) is (to be able) to exercise the benevolence of hospitality

விருந்து புறத்ததாத் தானுண்டல் சாவா
மருந்தெனினும் வேண் டற்பாற் றன்று.

Virundhu Puraththadhaath Thaanuntal Saavaa
Marundheninum Ventarpaar Randru

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

Meaning: It is not fit that one should wish his guests to be outside (his house) even though he were eating the food of immortality

வருவிருந்து வைகலும் ஓம்புவான் வாழ்க்கை
பருவந்து பாழ்படுதல் இன்று.

Varuvirundhu Vaikalum Ompuvaan Vaazhkkai
Paruvandhu Paazhpatudhal Indru

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

Meaning: The domestic life of the man that daily entertains the guests who come to him shall not be laid waste by poverty

அகனமர்ந்து செய்யாள் உறையும் முகனமர்ந்து
நல்விருந்து ஓம்புவான் இல்.

Akanamarndhu Seyyaal Uraiyum Mukanamarndhu
Nalvirundhu Ompuvaan Il

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

Meaning: Lakshmi with joyous mind shall dwell in the house of that man who, with cheerful countenance, entertains the good as guests

வித்தும் இடல்வேண்டும் கொல்லோ விருந்தோம்பி
மிச்சில் மிசைவான் புலம்.

Viththum Italventum Kollo Virundhompi
Michchil Misaivaan Pulam

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

Meaning: Is it necessary to sow the field of the man who, having feasted his guests, eats what may remain ?

செல்விருந்து ஓம்பி வருவிருந்து பார்த்திருப்பான்
நல்வருந்து வானத் தவர்க்கு.

Selvirundhu Ompi Varuvirundhu Paarththiruppaan
Nalvarundhu Vaanath Thavarkku

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

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

இனைத்துணைத் தென்பதொன் றில்லை விருந்தின்
துணைத்துணை வேள்விப் பயன்.

Inaiththunaith Thenpadhon Rillai Virundhin
Thunaiththunai Velvip Payan

Worth of the guest of quality Is worth of hospitality

Meaning: The advantages of benevolence cannot be measured; the measure (of the virtue) of the guests (entertained) is the only measure

பரிந்தோம்பிப் பற்றற்றேம் என்பர் விருந்தோம்பி
வேள்வி தலைப்படா தார்.

Parindhompip Patratrem Enpar Virundhompi
Velvi Thalaippataa Thaar

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

Meaning: Those who have taken no part in the benevolence of hospitality shall (at length lament) saying, "we have laboured and laid up wealth and are now without support."

உடைமையுள் இன்மை விருந்தோம்பல் ஓம்பா
மடமை மடவார்கண் உண்டு.

Utaimaiyul Inmai Virundhompal Ompaa
Matamai Matavaarkan Untu

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

Meaning: That stupidity which excercises no hospitality is poverty in the midst of wealth It is the property of the stupid

மோப்பக் குழையும் அனிச்சம் முகந்திரிந்து
நோக்கக் குநழ்யும் விருந்து.

Moppak Kuzhaiyum Anichcham Mukandhirindhu
Nokkak Kuzhaiyum Virundhu

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

Meaning: As the Anicham flower fades in smelling, so fades the guest when the face is turned away