Kural #85
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Tamil text
வித்தும் இடல்வேண்டும் கொல்லோ
விருந்தோம்பி மிச்சில் மிசைவான் புலம்
Vittum iṭalvēṇṭum kollō
Viruntōmpi mīccil micaivāṉ pulam
English translation
Does the field of one who feeds guests first and eats only the remainder need any sowing?
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Explanation
This is a rhetorical question expressing complete faith in divine providence. Thiruvalluvar suggests that for one who practices true hospitality - serving guests first and eating only what remains - prosperity will come automatically, just as if the field produced crops without even needing to be sown. It reflects the deep Tamil belief that generous hospitality brings its own abundant rewards.
விளக்கம்
விருந்தினரை உபசரித்து, பின் மிஞ்சியதை உண்பவன் நிலத்தில் விதைக்க தேவையில்லை. விருந்தோம்பல் அறம் செய்தால், தானாகவே செல்வம் பெருகும். இது வள்ளுவர் விருந்தோம்பலின் மேன்மையை சொல்லும் கருத்து.
Word meanings
- வித்தும்vittumseed/sowing
- இடல்iṭalputting/planting
- வேண்டும்vēṇṭumis needed
- கொல்லோkollōis it? (rhetorical question)
- விருந்துviruntuguest
- ஓம்பிōmpihaving honored/fed
- மிச்சில்miccilremainder/leftover
- மிசைவான்micaivāṉone who eats
- புலம்pulamfield/land
Story behind this kural
In a small village nestled beside a whispering river lived Elara, a farmer known for her bountiful harvests. Every year, her fields yielded more than any other. Yet, Elara was also known for her kindness. If a traveler passed through, she would offer them food and shelter, sharing whatever she had. One season, a terrible drought struck. Fields withered, and despair settled upon the village. Many farmers, hoarding their dwindling supplies, grew thin and worried. But Elara, remembering the hungry travelers, continued to share her grains. When the rains finally returned, Elara’s fields were the first to flourish. The other farmers, watching with envy, saw her crops grow thick and heavy with grain. They asked, “How did you manage, Elara? Our fields are barren.” Elara simply smiled, gesturing to the travelers she still welcomed. Her barn was the fullest in the village, as if the earth itself wanted to reward her generosity.