Kural #43
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Tamil text
தென்புலத்தார் தெய்வம் விருந்தொக்கல் தானென்றாங்கு
ஐம்புலத்தாறு ஓம்பல் தலை
Teṉpulattār teyvam viruntokkal tāṉeṉṟāṅku
Aimpulattāṟu ōmpal talai
English translation
The chief duty is to honor the five: ancestors, gods, guests, relatives, and oneself.
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Explanation
This kural outlines the ஐம்பெரும் கடன் (five great duties) of a householder: serving ancestors (தென்புலத்தார் - those in the southern realm, i.e., departed souls), worshipping the divine (தெய்வம்), honoring guests (விருந்து), caring for relatives (ஒக்கல்), and maintaining oneself (தான்). These five duties form the ethical framework of domestic life.
விளக்கம்
இக்குறள் இல்வாழ்க்கையின் கடமைகளைச் சொல்லுது. தென்புலத்தார், தெய்வம், விருந்தினர், சுற்றம், தன்னைத்தானே பேணுதல் என ஐவரையும் காப்பதே முக்கிய அறம். இதுவே சிறந்த குடும்ப வாழ்க்கைக்கு வழி.
Word meanings
- தென்புலத்தார்teṉpulattārancestors (those of the southern realm)
- தெய்வம்teyvamthe divine/gods
- விருந்துviruntuguests
- ஒக்கல்okkalrelatives/kin
- தான்tāṉoneself
- என்றுeṉṟuthus/as
- ஆங்குāṅkuthere/in that manner
- ஐம்புலத்துaimpulattufive categories
- ஆறுāṟuway/path
- ஓம்பல்ōmpalto protect/nurture
- தலைtalaichief/foremost
Story behind this kural
In the village of Valluvarpuram lived a farmer named Arul. His days began with offerings at the shrine for his ancestors, followed by tending his fields. Each week, he welcomed travelers with warm meals, sharing stories and laughter. His home was always open to his extended family, especially the elderly, whom he cared for with patience. Arul himself lived a simple life, taking pride in his honest work and maintaining his well-being. One harvest, a terrible drought struck. Fields withered, and the villagers grew desperate. Yet, Arul’s family, though facing hardship, continued their traditions. They shared their meager food, helping neighbors, and praying for rain. When the rains finally arrived, Arul’s crops flourished, and his barn overflowed. The other villagers, witnessing his abundance, realized the true wealth he possessed wasn't merely the harvest, but the spirit of generosity that filled his home.