Kural #101
Last reviewed:
Tamil text
செய்யாமல் செய்த உதவிக்கு
வையகமும் வானகமும் ஆற்றல் அரிது
Ceyyāmal ceyta utavikku
Vaiyakamum vāṉakamum āṟṟal aritu
English translation
Even the earth and heaven together cannot repay the help rendered by one who helped without expecting anything in return.
Listen
Explanation
This opening kural establishes the immense value of selfless help. When someone helps you without any prior favor from you, the debt is so great that even offering the entire earth and heaven would be insufficient repayment. True generosity creates an unpayable debt of gratitude.
விளக்கம்
குறள் 101: ஒரு உதவியும் பெறாமல் ஒருவர் செய்த உதவிக்கு, இந்த உலகத்தையும் விண்ணுலகத்தையும் கொடுத்தாலும் ஈடாகாது. இது செய்ந்நன்றி அறிதல் அதிகாரத்தின் முக்கிய கருத்து. பிறர் செய்த உதவிக்கு நன்றி மறவாமல் இருப்பது அறம்.
Word meanings
- செய்யாமல்ceyyāmalwithout having done (any favor)
- செய்தceytathat was done
- உதவிutavihelp/assistance
- வையகம்vaiyakamthe earth
- வானகம்vāṉakamheaven
- ஆற்றல்āṟṟalto repay/reciprocate
- அரிதுarituis difficult/impossible
Story behind this kural
The old farmer, Elan, found a lost, injured bird near his field. He gently nursed it back to health, feeding it and sheltering it until it could fly again. The bird, a magnificent eagle, soared away one day, disappearing into the sky. Months later, a terrible drought struck the village. The crops withered, and the villagers despaired. Elan, too, faced ruin. One scorching afternoon, as he sat beneath a meager tree, the eagle reappeared. It circled overhead, then swooped down, dropping a small pouch at Elan's feet. Inside, Elan found a single, glistening seed. He planted it, and miraculously, it sprouted. It grew into a tree that bore fruit throughout the drought. The villagers, sustained by its bounty, were saved. The eagle, having offered this gift, vanished again. Elan, watching the flourishing tree, felt a gratitude that extended far beyond the simple gift of sustenance.