Kural #90

Virtue· அறம்Hospitality· விருந்தோம்பல்

Last reviewed: 21 May 2026

மோப்பக் குழையும் அனிச்சம்

முகந்திரிந்து நோக்கக் குழையும் விருந்து

Mōppak kuḻaiyum aṉiccam

Mukanttirintu nōkkak kuḻaiyum viruntu

English translation

The anicham flower wilts when smelled; a guest wilts when looked at with an unwelcoming face.

Listen

Explanation

This final kural of the chapter uses a beautiful poetic comparison. The அனிச்சம் (anicham) flower is legendarily delicate - so tender that it wilts at the slightest touch, even just being smelled. Similarly, a guest's spirit withers when met with a cold or turned-away face. This emphasizes that hospitality requires not just action but warmth of expression. A guest's dignity is as delicate as the anicham flower.

விளக்கம்

விருந்தோம்பல் அதிகாரத்தில், திருவள்ளுவர் இதை கூறுகிறார். அனிச்ச மலர் மோந்தாலே வாடிவிடும்; அதுபோல, விருந்தினரை முகம் சுளித்து நோக்கினால் அவர்கள் மனம் வாடிவிடும். முகமலர்ச்சியோடு உபசரிக்க வேண்டும் என்பதே இதன் நீதி.

Word meanings

மோப்பmōppawhen smelled
குழையும்kuḻaiyumwilts/withers
அனிச்சம்aṉiccamthe anicham flower (very delicate)
முகம்mukamface
திரிந்துtirintuturned away/changed
நோக்கnōkkawhen looked at
குழையும்kuḻaiyumwilts/withers
விருந்துviruntuguest

Story behind this kural

In a small village nestled beside a whispering forest, lived two sisters, Anya and Maya. One day, a weary traveler, his cloak dusty from the road, knocked at Anya’s door. Anya, busy with her weaving, opened the door with a frown. "What do you want?" she asked, her voice sharp. The traveler, deflated, mumbled a request for water before hurrying away. Later, the same traveler reached Maya's humble dwelling. Though Maya was also busy, mending her nets, she greeted him with a warm smile. "Welcome, friend! Come in, rest. I will share my meager meal and offer you a place by the fire." The traveler’s face brightened, and he gratefully accepted her kindness. He ate with relish and rested peacefully. As the sun set, Anya watched the traveler depart from Maya's home, a contented smile on his face. She couldn't understand why the traveler had seemed so diminished at her own door, yet blossomed at Maya's.