Skip to main content

Not available in the United States yet. Join the waitlist

Kural #82

Virtue· அறம்Hospitality· விருந்தோம்பல்

Last reviewed:

Tamil text

விருந்து புறத்ததாத் தானுண்டல்

சாவா மருந்தெனினும் வேண்டற்பாற் றன்று

Viruntu puṟattatāt tāṉuṇṭal

Cāvā marunteṉiṉum vēṇṭaṟpāṟ ṟaṉṟu

English translation

To eat while a guest waits outside is not desirable, even if the food were the elixir of immortality.

Listen

Explanation

What a powerful image! Even if the food one eats could grant eternal life (அமிர்தம் - the nectar of immortality), it becomes worthless if consumed while ignoring a waiting guest. This kural emphasizes that sharing food with guests takes precedence over even the most precious personal benefit. The Tamil tradition holds that food tastes best when shared.

விளக்கம்

விருந்தினர் வெளியே இருக்க, சாவா மருந்து கிடைத்தாலும் தனியாக உண்ணக்கூடாது. விருந்தோம்பல் அதிகாரத்தில், இது உணவை பகிர்ந்து உண்ணும் அறத்தை வலியுறுத்துகிறது. பசித்தோருக்கு உணவளிப்பதே சிறந்த பண்பு.

Word meanings

  • விருந்துviruntuguest
  • புறத்ததுpuṟattatuoutside/waiting outside
  • ஆābeing
  • தான்tāṉoneself
  • உண்டல்uṇṭaleating
  • சாவாcāvādeath-preventing/immortality-giving
  • மருந்துmaruntumedicine/elixir
  • எனினும்eṉiṉumeven if
  • வேண்டற்பாற்றுvēṇṭaṟpāṟṟudesirable
  • அன்றுaṉṟuis not

Story behind this kural

In a humble village nestled beside a whispering river lived Elara, a woman known for her kindness. One day, a weary traveler arrived at her door as she was about to enjoy a delicious meal of spiced lentils and rice. The aroma, like a promise of comfort, filled the small dwelling. Elara, though famished, hesitated. Remembering her mother’s teachings, she invited the stranger inside. The traveler, eyes alight with gratitude, accepted. Together, they shared the meal. Elara, though her portion was smaller than she had planned, found her hunger easily satisfied. As they ate, the traveler spoke of his long journey and the hardships he faced. Elara listened intently, offering words of encouragement and comfort. When the meal was finished, the traveler rose to leave, his face now etched with a serene peace. He turned to Elara and said, “Your kindness has nourished my soul more than any food could have.” And with that, he departed.