Kural #239
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Tamil text
வசையிலா வண்பயன் குன்றும்
இசையிலா யாக்கை பொறுத்த நிலம்
Vacaiilā vaṇpayaṉ kuṉṟum
Icaiilā yākkai poṟutta nilam
English translation
The earth that bears a body without fame will suffer diminished fertility.
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Explanation
Even the earth is burdened by those who live without earning fame. Such people are a weight upon the world.
விளக்கம்
புகழ் என்னும் அதிகாரத்தில் வரும் இக்குறள், புகழில்லாமல் வாழ்வது நிலத்திற்கே சுமை என்கிறது. நல்ல பயன் தரும் நிலம் கூட, புகழற்ற உடலைச் சுமப்பதால் வளம் குறையும். எனவே, நல்ல பெயரை எடுத்து உலகிற்குப் பயனுள்ளவராக வாழ வேண்டும்.
Word meanings
- வசைvacaiblame
- இலாilāwithout
- வண்vaṇgood/fertile
- பயன்payaṉyield/benefit
- குன்றும்kuṉṟumwill diminish
- இசைicaifame
- யாக்கைyākkaibody
- பொறுத்தpoṟuttathat bore
- நிலம்nilamearth/land
Story behind this kural
In a valley nestled between towering peaks lived two farmers, old Elara and young Kiran. Elara, known for his kindness and tireless work, cultivated the most fertile fields, sharing his abundant harvest freely. Kiran, however, hoarded his crops, caring only for personal wealth. His fields, though tilled with equal effort, yielded meager harvests. One season, a terrible drought struck the valley. Elara, despite the hardship, distributed his remaining grain, ensuring no one went hungry. Kiran, in his selfish fear, locked his granaries. As the drought worsened, the soil of Kiran's fields began to crack and crumble. The earth seemed to reject his barren harvest. Elara's fields, though diminished, still offered a small yield, enough to sustain the few remaining plants. The villagers understood then, the worth of a life that nourishes and gives.