Sage Thiru-valluvar
"The Bard of Universal Man"
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Chapter - 9 : Cherishing Guests
 

Introductory Note

This chapter is on hospitality. Here hospitality means affording food and shelter to the travelers / wayfarers, mendicants, ascetics (and does not refer entertainment of friends). Such hospitality can only be extended where the householder and his wife live in harmony and therefore the poet places it in this section on Domestic Virtue.

"Be not forgetful to entertain strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares."
- Bible, Hebrews xiii. 2.

Translation(s)

In all household cares and course of daily life, have this in view: to receive guests with courtesy and to do kindly acts

 

Translation(s)

Feasting alone when the guest outside is unfed is thing abhorred, even though food of immortality crowns the board (in our top of the plate).

Explanation

Even if you happen to get the elixirs that will give immortality, do not eat alone ignoring the guest outside who is hungry.

Translation(s)

He who tends the coming guests every day with kindly care, his household shall share painless, unfailing plenty.

 

Translation(s)

He who with smiling face entertains each virtuous guest, ‘fortune’ will rest with gladsome mind in his dwelling.

“With smiling face he entertains each virtuous guest;
‘Fortune’ with gladsome mind shall in his dwelling rest.”
 – poetic translation by Rev. G. U. Pope.

 

Translation(s)

He who first regales his guest and then supplies himself; over all his fields, unsown shall arise plenteous harvest.

Explanation

Now harvest cannot arise without sowing. However, the poet still asserts that in the fields belonging to a person who first regales his guest, harvest shall arise unsown. This is called “atishyokti,” in Sanskrit – meaning comparing with extreme or impossible.

Regale means provide with choice or abundant food or drink.

Translation(s)

One who tends the guests arrived and expects to see the coming guest; he is a welcome guest to those who dwell in heavenly homes.

He who, while one rejoiceth in his cheer,
Awaits with anxious mind a coming guest,
Will be a welcome quest to gods.”
– rendering by F. W. Ellis.

 

Translation(s)

To reckon up the fruits of kindly deeds is all in vain. Their work is as the worth of guests you entertain.

Explanation

Check accuracy of translation.

Ancient Tamil Commentator says that the worthiness of the guest determines the value of the kindness. Fr. Beschi in his Latin translation explains it thus: “not the amount of your aid, but the necessities of the guest, measure the merit of your kindness” (Latin to English translation by Rev. G. U. Pope)

Translation(s)

Those who painstakingly guard their stores but do not cherish their guests nor supply kindly help; they will cry: “All forlorn are we.”

“With pain they guard their stores,
Yet ‘All forlorn are we,’ they’ll cry;
Who cherish not their guests,
nor kindly help supply.”
 – translation by Rev. G U Pope.

 

Translation(s)

It is penury to turn from guests when worldly goods abound; it is senseless folly only found with the senseless.

“To turn from quests is penury, though worldly goods abound;
‘Tis senseless folly, only with the senseless found.”
 – translation by Rev. G. U. Pope.

Explanation

Even wise men have some follies but turning away guests when they possess plenty is never one of them.

Translation(s)

Just as the flower of the ‘Anicha’ withers away, if you inhale its fragrance; the heart within the guest will fail, if face of the host conveys cold welcome.

“The flower of the ‘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.”
– translation by Rev. G U Pope.

Explanation

He is not referring to modern heart failure but to the sad feeling that would arise in the guest’s heart.

Poet says that a guest is more sensitive than the most sensitive flower. In Verse 43, householder is asked to cherish five: deceased ancestors, God, guests, relatives and oneself. The first and second are invisible beings; while the fourth and fifth involve no exercise of charity. The third – guests - is treated in this chapter.

Summary Note

Summary: First hospitality is defined (81,82). Then its benefits in this life (83, 84, 85), other life (86), and both lives (87) are enumerated. Next consequences of its neglect are stated (88, 89). Finally says that guest is very sensitive.

His Book, The Thirukural, in Left Hand - Closeup,
Thiruvalluvar Memorial (133 Feet, 7000 Tonnes), Kanyakumari,India
Credit: Kris Kumar, Flickr

References