Kural #1038
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Tamil text
ஏரினும் நன்றால் எருவிடுதல்
கட்டபின் நீரினும் நன்றதன் காப்பு
Ēriṉum naṉṟāl eruviṭutal
Kaṭṭapiṉ nīriṉum naṉṟataṉ kāppu
English translation
Better than ploughing is applying manure; better than watering is protecting the crop.
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Explanation
The hierarchy of farming: enriching soil surpasses merely tilling it; vigilant protection of growing crops matters more than irrigation.
விளக்கம்
ஏர் உழுவதை விட எரு போடுவது நல்லது. பயிர் முளைத்தபின், நீர் பாய்ச்சுவதை விட அதை பாதுகாப்பதே முக்கியம். நிலத்தை வளமாக்குவதும், விளைந்ததை காப்பதுமே உழவின் சிறப்பு. உழவு அதிகாரத்தில் இது முக்கியம்.
Word meanings
- ஏரினும்ēriṉumthan ploughing
- நன்றுnaṉṟubetter/good
- ஆல்ālindeed
- எருerumanure
- விடுதல்viṭutalapplying
- கட்டkaṭṭaafter that
- பின்piṉthen
- நீரினும்nīriṉumthan watering
- காப்புkāppuprotection
Story behind this kural
In the village of Valluvar, two farmers, Arul and Selvan, prepared their fields. Arul, eager for a quick harvest, plowed his land diligently, turning the soil with pride. Selvan, however, spent weeks gathering and spreading rich compost, enriching his earth. When the rains came, both sowed their seeds. Arul watered his crops daily, boasting of his efforts. Selvan, though, built fences and scared away birds, guarding his tender sprouts. As the weeks passed, Arul's crops grew tall, but the stalks were weak, and the yield was meager. Selvan's plants, though smaller, were strong and full. His harvest overflowed, a bounty that fed his family and brought him prosperity. Arul, disheartened, watched Selvan's success. He realized that effort alone does not guarantee reward; true wealth comes from understanding the deeper needs of the land.