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Kural #86

Virtue· அறம்Hospitality· விருந்தோம்பல்

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Tamil text

செல்விருந்து ஓம்பி வருவிருந்து பார்த்திருப்பான்

நல்விருந்து வானத் தவர்க்கு

Celviruntu ōmpi varuviruntu pārttiruppāṉ

Nalviruntu vāṉat tavarkku

English translation

One who serves the present guest and looks forward to the next guest becomes a welcome guest to the celestials in heaven.

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Explanation

This kural speaks of the ultimate reward for hospitality. The ideal host not only takes care of the current guest but eagerly anticipates the arrival of the next one. Such a person, Thiruvalluvar says, will be honored as a distinguished guest by the devas (celestial beings) in heaven. The one who hosts well on earth becomes a welcome guest in the divine realm.

விளக்கம்

விருந்தோம்பல் அதிகாரத்தில், திருவள்ளுவர் இக்குறளில், இப்போது வந்த விருந்தினரை உபசரித்து, அடுத்த விருந்தினரை எதிர்பார்த்திருப்பவன், வானுலகத்தில் தேவர்க்கும் நல்ல விருந்தினனாவான் என்கிறார். விருந்தினரை உபசரிப்பது புண்ணியம். இதுவே சிறந்த அறம்.

Word meanings

  • செல்celpresent/departing
  • விருந்துviruntuguest
  • ஓம்பிōmpihaving honored/served
  • வருvarucoming/arriving
  • விருந்துviruntuguest
  • பார்த்திருப்பான்pārttiruppāṉone who looks forward to/awaits
  • நல்nalgood/honored
  • விருந்துviruntuguest
  • வானத்தவர்க்குvāṉattavarkkuto those in heaven/celestials

Story behind this kural

In a small village nestled beside a whispering river lived an old woman named Elara. Her home was always open. She welcomed every traveler, offering them food and rest. One day, a weary merchant arrived, his cart broken and his spirit low. Elara welcomed him with a warm smile, sharing her meager meal and offering a bed. As the merchant ate, she kept glancing towards the path, her eyes scanning for any other travelers. "Do you expect someone else, Amma?" the merchant asked. Elara replied, "My door is always open. It brings me joy to serve those who pass by." The next day, as the merchant departed, a radiant light filled the doorway. A celestial being appeared, smiling at Elara. "You have shown great kindness," the being said. "Your open heart and welcoming spirit have earned you a place of honor." The celestial then vanished, leaving Elara smiling, already preparing for the next traveler who might need her kindness.