Hospitality: Kurals

[Guest guest]

THE TIRUKKURAL OF TIRUVALLUVAR consists of "Holy couplets." It is a treasury of

Hindu ethical insight and a literary masterpiece of the Tamil language, written

by Saiva Saint Tiruvalluvar (ca 200 BCE) near present-day Madras.

 

Tirukkural constitutes one of the most important literary works in Tamil. It is

generally reckoned that Kural was composed during the Sangam Period of literary

development in Tamil (500-200 BC). Kural continues to be important today, in the

21st century, for scholars believe that Kural conveys many many important

messages to the society. International interest in the study of Kural can be

traced to the second half of the 19th century:

 

Verse 81

 

The whole purpose of maintaining a home

And earning wealth is to provide hospitality to guests.

 

Verse 82

 

To hoard one's meal when a guest is in the home is improper,

Even if it happens to be the nectar of immortality.

 

Verse 83

 

The life of the man who daily cares for those who

Come to him will never suffer poverty's painful ruin.

 

Verse 84

 

Wealth's goddess dwells in the hospitable home

Of those who host guests with a smiling face.

 

Verse 85

 

If a man eats only after attending to guests' needs,

What further sowing will his fertile fields require?

 

Verse 86

 

The host who, caring for guests, watches hopefully for more,

Will himself be a welcomed guest of those whose home is heaven.

 

Verse 87

 

Charity's merit cannot be measured by gifts given.

It is measured by measuring the receiver's merits.

 

Verse 88

 

Those who never sacrifice to care for guests will later lament,

"We hoarded wealth, estranged ourselves, now none will care for us."

 

Verse 89

 

The poorest penury is having plenty yet shunning guests.

Such senselessness is only found in senseless fools.

 

Verse 90

 

The delicate anicham flower withers when merely smelled,

But an unwelcome look is enough to wither the heart of a guest.