Kural #211
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Tamil text
கைம்மாறு வேண்டா கடப்பாடு
மாரிமாட்டு என்ஆற்றும் கொல்லோ உலகு
Kaimmāṟu vēṇṭā kaṭappāṭu
Mārimāṭṭu eṉāṟṟum kollō ulaku
English translation
Social duty needs no return. What can the world give back to the rain clouds?
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Explanation
Like the rain that gives without expecting anything in return, our duty to society should be selfless. The clouds water the earth and ask for nothing.
விளக்கம்
குறள் 211: மழை பெய்து உலகிற்கு நன்மை செய்கிறது. அதற்கு நாம் என்ன கைம்மாறு செய்ய முடியும்? அதுபோல, சமூகத்திற்கு உதவி செய்யும்போது பிரதிபலன் எதிர்பார்க்கக் கூடாது. ஒப்புரவறிதல் அதிகாரத்தில் இது முக்கியம்.
Word meanings
- கைம்மாறுkaimmāṟureturn/reciprocation
- வேண்டாvēṇṭānot needed
- கடப்பாடுkaṭappāṭuduty/obligation
- மாரிmārirain
- மாட்டுmāṭṭutowards
- என்eṉwhat
- ஆற்றும்āṟṟumcan do
- கொல்லோkollōindeed (rhetorical)
- உலகுulakuworld
Story behind this kural
In a small village nestled beside a parched riverbed lived a humble farmer named Arul. For years, the village had suffered from drought. Wells ran dry, and crops withered. While others hoarded their dwindling water supplies, Arul tirelessly shared his meager portion with anyone in need. He watered the communal vegetable patch, knowing it would benefit all, even though his own field suffered. One scorching afternoon, a wealthy merchant, observing Arul's generosity, offered him a king's ransom for his well. Arul refused, continuing to share his water. Soon, the rains finally arrived. The river swelled, and the village flourished. Arul's crops, though smaller, were healthy, and the community thrived. The merchant, whose land remained barren, watched as Arul celebrated the harvest with the villagers, their faces beaming with gratitude. His wealth could not buy the joy that Arul possessed.