Chapter 9 – Hospitality / Virundhompal
Couplet 81
All household cares and course of daily life have this in view
Guests to receive with courtesy, and kindly acts to do.
Explanation
The whole design of living in the domestic state and laying up (property) is (to be able) to exercise the benevolence of hospitality.
Transliteration
Irundhompi Ilvaazhva Thellaam Virundhompi
Velaanmai Seydhar Poruttu.
Couplet 82
Though food of immortality should crown the board,
Feasting alone, the guests without unfed, is thing abhorred.
Explanation
It is not fit that one should wish his guests to be outside (his house) even though he were eating the food of immortality.
Transliteration
Virundhu Puraththadhaath Thaanuntal Saavaa
Marundheninum Ventarpaar Randru.
Couplet 83
Each day he tends the coming guest with kindly care;
Painless, unfailing plenty shall his household share.
Explanation
The domestic life of the man that daily entertains the guests who come to him shall not be laid waste by poverty.
Transliteration
Varuvirundhu Vaikalum Ompuvaan Vaazhkkai
Paruvandhu Paazhpatudhal Indru.
Couplet 84
With smiling face he entertains each virtuous guest,
‘Fortune’ with gladsome mind shall in his dwelling rest.
Explanation
Lakshmi with joyous mind shall dwell in the house of that man who, with cheerful countenance, entertains the good as guests.
Transliteration
Akanamarndhu Seyyaal Uraiyum Mukanamarndhu
Nalvirundhu Ompuvaan Il.
Couplet 85
Who first regales his guest, and then himself supplies,
O’er all his fields, unsown, shall plenteous harvests rise.
Explanation
Is it necessary to sow the field of the man who, having feasted his guests, eats what may remain ?.
Transliteration
Viththum Italventum Kollo Virundhompi
Michchil Misaivaan Pulam.
Couplet 86
The guest arrived he tends, the coming guest expects to see;
To those in heavenly homes that dwell a welcome guest is he.
Explanation
He who, having entertained the guests that have come, looks out for others who may yet come, will be a welcome guest to the inhabitants of heaven.
Transliteration
Selvirundhu Ompi Varuvirundhu Paarththiruppaan
Nalvarundhu Vaanath Thavarkku.
Couplet 87
To reckon up the fruit of kindly deeds were all in vain;
Their worth is as the worth of guests you entertain.
Explanation
The advantages of benevolence cannot be measured; the measure (of the virtue) of the guests (entertained) is the only measure.
Transliteration
Inaiththunaith Thenpadhon Rillai Virundhin
Thunaiththunai Velvip Payan.
Couplet 88
With pain they guard their stores, yet ‘All forlorn are we,’ they’ll cry,
Who cherish not their guests, nor kindly help supply.
Explanation
Those who have taken no part in the benevolence of hospitality shall (at length lament)
saying, “we have laboured and laid up wealth and are now without support.”.
Transliteration
Parindhompip Patratrem Enpar Virundhompi
Velvi Thalaippataa Thaar.
Couplet 89
To turn from guests is penury, though worldly goods abound;
‘Tis senseless folly, only with the senseless found.
Explanation
That stupidity which excercises no hospitality is poverty in the midst of wealth It is the property of the stupid.
Transliteration
Utaimaiyul Inmai Virundhompal Ompaa
Matamai Matavaarkan Untu.
Couplet 90
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.
Explanation
As the Anicham flower fades in smelling, so fades the guest when the face is turned away.
Transliteration
Moppak Kuzhaiyum Anichcham Mukandhirindhu
Nokkak Kuzhaiyum Virundhu.
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