Kural #221
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Tamil text
வறியார்க்கொன்று ஈவதே ஈகை
மற்றெல்லாம் குறியெதிர்ப்பை நீர துடைத்து
Vaṟiyārkkoṉṟu īvatē īkai
Maṟṟellām kuṟiyetirppai nīra tuṭaittu
English translation
Giving to the poor alone is true charity; all else is mere exchange with expectation of return.
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Explanation
True giving (ஈகை) asks nothing in return. Giving to the rich or powerful expecting favors is commerce, not charity.
விளக்கம்
வறியவருக்குக் கொடுப்பதே ஈகை. மற்றவை எல்லாம் பிரதிபலன் எதிர்பார்த்துச் செய்வது. இது அறம் அதிகாரத்தில் தானத்தின் சிறப்பைச் சொல்லுது. உதவிக்குத் தேவைப்படுவோர்க்கே கொடு; திருப்பி எதிர்பாராதே.
Word meanings
- வறியார்க்குvaṟiyārkkuto the poor
- ஒன்றுoṉṟusomething
- ஈவதேīvatēgiving alone
- ஈகைīkaicharity
- மற்றெல்லாம்maṟṟellāmall else
- குறிkuṟiaim/sign
- எதிர்ப்பைetirppaiexpecting return
- நீரதுnīratuof that nature
- உடைத்துuṭaittuhas
Story behind this kural
In a small village nestled beside a whispering river, lived two farmers, Arun and Bala. Arun was known for his generosity. He’d share his harvest with anyone in need, never expecting anything in return. Bala, however, only helped those who could later offer him something of equal or greater value. One harsh winter, the river froze, and the crops failed. Many villagers faced starvation. Arun, despite having little left, continued to share his meager stores. Bala, on the other hand, hoarded his remaining grain, offering it only to those with land or wealth, expecting future labor or riches. When spring finally arrived, Arun had barely enough to replant his fields, yet he was surrounded by friends and neighbors eager to help. Bala, though his stores were plentiful, found himself alone, his fields untended. The villagers, remembering Arun's kindness, rallied to help him, while Bala was left to face the future alone.