Kural #83
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Tamil text
வருவிருந்து வைகலும் ஓம்புவான் வாழ்க்கை
பருவந்து பாழ்படுதல் இன்று
Varuviruntu vaikalum ōmpuvāṉ vāḻkkai
Paruvantu pāḻpaṭutal iṉṟu
English translation
The life of one who daily honors arriving guests will never fall into ruin through want.
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Explanation
Thiruvalluvar assures that those who consistently practice hospitality will be blessed with prosperity. The word "வைகலும்" (daily) emphasizes that hospitality should be a regular practice, not an occasional gesture. There is a beautiful Tamil belief that prosperity follows those who share generously - what goes out in kindness returns multiplied.
விளக்கம்
விருந்தோம்பல் அதிகாரத்தில் வரும் இக்குறள், தினமும் விருந்தினரை உபசரிப்பவர் வாழ்க்கை வறுமையால் கெடாது என்கிறது. பிறருக்கு கொடுப்பதால் செல்வம் பெருகும் என்பது நம்பிக்கை. இது வள்ளுவரின் அறநெறி.
Word meanings
- வருvaruarriving/coming
- விருந்துviruntuguest
- வைகலும்vaikalumdaily/every day
- ஓம்புவான்ōmpuvāṉone who protects/honors
- வாழ்க்கைvāḻkkailife
- பருவந்துparuvantuthrough want/poverty
- பாழ்படுதல்pāḻpaṭutalbecoming ruined/destroyed
- இன்றுiṉṟuis not/will not happen
Story behind this kural
In a humble village nestled beside a whispering river lived Elara, a woman known for her open heart. Every day, she set an extra place at her table, hoping to welcome any traveler who might pass through. Some villagers whispered, wondering if she had too much to give. One harsh winter, the river froze, and the harvest failed. Many families struggled. Elara, despite having little, continued her daily ritual. One evening, a weary stranger, his clothes thin, knocked on her door. She welcomed him with warmth, sharing her meager meal. The next morning, the stranger revealed he was a skilled craftsman, traveling to find work. He noticed the village's broken well and offered to fix it. With the well working again, the harvest flourished the following year. Elara's generosity had not only fed a stranger but also saved her village.