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விருந்தோம்பல்: Hospitality
About this chapter
விருந்தோம்பல், hospitality, says that welcoming guests is the very purpose of keeping a home. It follows directly from the chapter on love, because it shows love turned into action at one's own door.
Kural 81 states the thesis: the reason for running a household is to be able to show hospitality. Kural 82 sets the standard high, saying a person should not eat alone even if the food were ambrosia while a guest waits outside. Kurals 83 to 86 list the rewards: a host who tends guests every day will not be ruined by poverty (Kural 83), Lakshmi (செய்யாள்) lives where guests are welcomed with a cheerful face (Kural 84), the field of one who feeds guests first needs no sowing (Kural 85), and one who sees to the guest present and awaits the next is a welcome guest even in heaven (Kural 86). Kural 87 says the reward of hospitality is measured by the worth of the guests. Kurals 88 and 89 warn that those who neglect it will mourn their lack of support, and call neglect poverty amid wealth. Kural 90 closes with the anicham flower, which fades when merely smelled, as a guest fades at a cold face.
Kural 82 and Kural 90 are the two to learn. The first sets the principle, and the second teaches that welcome lies in manner as much as food.
For the syllabus, the chapter belongs with everyday life and social values.
The 10 kurals of விருந்தோம்பல்
Each kural is shown in Tamil with a transliteration and G. U. Pope's English verse translation. Open a kural for its plain English meaning.
இருந்தோம்பி இல்வாழ்வ தெல்லாம் விருந்தோம்பி
வேளாண்மை செய்தற் பொருட்டு.
Irundhompi Ilvaazhva Thellaam Virundhompi
Velaanmai Seydhar Poruttu
All household cares and course of daily life have this in viewGuests to receive with courtesy, and kindly acts to do
விருந்து புறத்ததாத் தானுண்டல் சாவா
மருந்தெனினும் வேண் டற்பாற் றன்று.
Virundhu Puraththadhaath Thaanuntal Saavaa
Marundheninum Ventarpaar Randru
Though food of immortality should crown the board, Feasting alone, the guests without unfed, is thing abhorred
வருவிருந்து வைகலும் ஓம்புவான் வாழ்க்கை
பருவந்து பாழ்படுதல் இன்று.
Varuvirundhu Vaikalum Ompuvaan Vaazhkkai
Paruvandhu Paazhpatudhal Indru
Each day he tends the coming guest with kindly care; Painless, unfailing plenty shall his household share
அகனமர்ந்து செய்யாள் உறையும் முகனமர்ந்து
நல்விருந்து ஓம்புவான் இல்.
Akanamarndhu Seyyaal Uraiyum Mukanamarndhu
Nalvirundhu Ompuvaan Il
With smiling face he entertains each virtuous guest,'Fortune' with gladsome mind shall in his dwelling rest
வித்தும் இடல்வேண்டும் கொல்லோ விருந்தோம்பி
மிச்சில் மிசைவான் புலம்.
Viththum Italventum Kollo Virundhompi
Michchil Misaivaan Pulam
Who first regales his guest, and then himself supplies, O'er all his fields, unsown, shall plenteous harvests rise
செல்விருந்து ஓம்பி வருவிருந்து பார்த்திருப்பான்
நல்வருந்து வானத் தவர்க்கு.
Selvirundhu Ompi Varuvirundhu Paarththiruppaan
Nalvarundhu Vaanath Thavarkku
The guest arrived he tends, the coming guest expects to see; To those in heavenly homes that dwell a welcome guest is he
இனைத்துணைத் தென்பதொன் றில்லை விருந்தின்
துணைத்துணை வேள்விப் பயன்.
Inaiththunaith Thenpadhon Rillai Virundhin
Thunaiththunai Velvip Payan
To reckon up the fruit of kindly deeds were all in vain; Their worth is as the worth of guests you entertain
பரிந்தோம்பிப் பற்றற்றேம் என்பர் விருந்தோம்பி
வேள்வி தலைப்படா தார்.
Parindhompip Patratrem Enpar Virundhompi
Velvi Thalaippataa Thaar
With pain they guard their stores, yet 'All forlorn are we,' they'll cry, Who cherish not their guests, nor kindly help supply
உடைமையுள் இன்மை விருந்தோம்பல் ஓம்பா
மடமை மடவார்கண் உண்டு.
Utaimaiyul Inmai Virundhompal Ompaa
Matamai Matavaarkan Untu
To turn from guests is penury, though worldly goods abound;'Tis senseless folly, only with the senseless found
மோப்பக் குழையும் அனிச்சம் முகந்திரிந்து
நோக்கக் குநழ்யும் விருந்து.
Moppak Kuzhaiyum Anichcham Mukandhirindhu
Nokkak Kuzhaiyum Virundhu
The flower of 'Anicha' withers away, If you do but its fragrance inhale; If the face of the host cold welcome convey, The guest's heart within him will fail
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