Kural #87
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Tamil text
இனைத்துணைத் தென்பதொன் றில்லை விருந்தின்
துணைத்துணை வேள்விப் பயன்
Iṉaittuṇait teṉpatoṉ ṟillai viruntiṉ
Tuṇaituṇai vēḷvip payaṉ
English translation
There is no fixed measure for hospitality; its merit is proportional to the worthiness of the guest received.
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Explanation
This nuanced kural explains that hospitality cannot be measured by a standard scale. The spiritual merit (பயன்) gained from hosting depends on the character and virtue of the guest being served. The word "வேள்வி" refers to sacrifice or offering - treating hospitality as a sacred ritual. The more worthy the guest, the greater the merit from serving them.
விளக்கம்
விருந்தோம்பல் அளவிட முடியாதது. விருந்தினரின் தகுதிக்கு ஏற்ப வேள்வி செய்த பலன் கிடைக்கும். நல்ல விருந்தினரை உபசரிப்பது அறம்; அதுவே சிறந்த புண்ணியம். விருந்தோம்பல் அதிகாரத்தில் இது முக்கியமானது.
Word meanings
- இனைத்துணைத்துiṉaittuṇaittuthis much measure
- என்பதுeṉpatucalled/said to be
- ஒன்றுoṉṟuone thing
- இல்லைillaithere is not
- விருந்தின்viruntiṉof the guest
- துணைtuṇaimeasure/extent
- துணைtuṇaiproportional to
- வேள்விvēḷvisacrifice/sacred offering
- பயன்payaṉbenefit/merit/fruit
Story behind this kural
In a humble village nestled beside a whispering river, lived two farmers, Arun and Bala. Arun was known for his generous spirit. He always welcomed travelers, offering them food and shelter, regardless of their appearance or background. Bala, however, was selective. He only hosted those he deemed worthy: wealthy merchants and respected elders. One day, a weary traveler arrived at Arun’s door. Though ragged and dusty, Arun welcomed him with a warm smile and a hearty meal. The traveler, grateful, shared stories of distant lands and offered Arun a small, polished stone. Later that week, a wealthy merchant sought shelter at Bala’s home. Bala prepared a lavish feast, hoping for a profitable exchange. The merchant, however, was arrogant and ungrateful, leaving without a word of thanks. Arun, examining the stone, found it to be a seed of a rare fruit that could heal the sick. Bala, counting his coins, realized he had gained nothing but a headache.