Kural #18
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Tamil text
சிறப்பொடு பூசனை செல்லாது
வானம் வறக்குமேல் வானோர்க்கும் ஈண்டு
Ciṟappoṭu pūcaṉai cellātu
Vāṉam vaṟakkumēl vāṉōrkkum īṇṭu
English translation
If rain fails, even worship and special offerings to the celestial gods will cease in this world.
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Explanation
Without rain, there is no food; without food, there are no offerings; without offerings, even religious worship stops. The gods themselves depend on human worship, which depends on rain.
விளக்கம்
வானம் பொய்த்தால், உலகில் உணவு இருக்காது. உணவில்லாமல் தேவர்க்கும் பூசைகள் நடக்காது. மழை இல்லாவிட்டால், அறம் சார்ந்த செயல்களே நின்றுவிடும் என்பது இக்குறளின் கருத்து.
Word meanings
- சிறப்பொடுciṟappoṭuwith excellence
- பூசனைpūcaṉaiworship/rituals
- செல்லாதுcellātuwill not proceed
- வானம்vāṉamrain
- வறக்குமேல்vaṟakkumēlif it fails
- வானோர்க்கும்vāṉōrkkumeven for the gods
- ஈண்டுīṇṭuhere/in this world
Story behind this kural
The village of Annai thrived, its fields always yielding a bountiful harvest. The villagers, in gratitude, held grand festivals honoring the celestial beings. They offered the finest fruits and flowers, believing their devotion ensured continued blessings. Then, the rains ceased. The sun beat down mercilessly, scorching the earth. The river, once a vibrant ribbon of life, dwindled to a sluggish trickle. The crops withered, and the granaries emptied. The villagers, desperate, doubled their offerings. They pleaded with the heavens, chanting prayers louder and longer. Yet, the sky remained a cruel, unyielding blue. Soon, the festivals ceased. The villagers, weakened by hunger, lacked the strength for elaborate ceremonies. The temple bells fell silent. Even the priests, once so vibrant in their rituals, grew thin and weary. The celestial beings, it seemed, had also forgotten to smile.