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Kural #216

Virtue· அறம்Duty to Society· ஒப்புரவறிதல்

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Tamil text

பயன்மரம் உள்ளூர்ப் பழுத்தற்றால்

செல்வம் நயனுடை யான்கண் படின்

Payaṉmaram uḷḷūrp paḻuttaṟṟāl

Celvam nayaṉuṭai yāṉkaṇ paṭiṉ

English translation

Wealth in the hands of a kind person is like a fruit tree bearing fruit in the middle of a village.

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Explanation

A benevolent rich person is like a fruit tree in the village center - everyone can benefit from its fruits. Wealth with kindness feeds the community.

விளக்கம்

நயனுள்ளவர் கையில் செல்வம் இருந்தால், ஊருக்குள் பழுத்த மரம்போல் எல்லோருக்கும் உதவும். ஒப்புரவறிதல் அதிகாரத்தின்படி, செல்வம் பிறருக்குப் பயன்பட வேண்டும். கருணையுடன் செல்வத்தைப் பகிர்ந்தால், சமூகம் நன்மையடையும்.

Word meanings

  • பயன்payaṉuseful/fruit-bearing
  • மரம்maramtree
  • உள்ளூர்uḷḷūrinside the village
  • பழுத்தற்றால்paḻuttaṟṟāllike bearing fruit
  • செல்வம்celvamwealth
  • நயன்nayaṉkindness/grace
  • உடையான்கண்uṭaiyāṉkaṇin one who has
  • படின்paṭiṉif falls/rests

Story behind this kural

In a small village nestled beside a lush forest, lived a wealthy merchant named Arul. His granaries overflowed, yet he lived humbly, sharing his good fortune. Unlike others who hoarded their riches, Arul used his wealth to benefit everyone. He built a well for the thirsty, offered food to the hungry, and mended the homes of the less fortunate. One scorching summer, the village faced a severe drought. The nearby river dwindled, and crops withered. While others despaired, Arul opened his storehouses, distributing grain freely. He organized workers to dig deeper wells, ensuring everyone had access to water. As the rains finally returned, the villagers rejoiced. Their crops flourished, and the village thrived. The people gathered under the shade of the large banyan tree in the center of the village, the tree providing the same generosity of shade and respite as the merchant's actions. They knew the merchant's kindness had saved them. The village prospered, and Arul’s generosity became a legend.