Hospitality
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parindu ōmbip paṟṟaṟṟēm eṉbar virundu ōmbi / vēḷvi talaippaḍādār
Those who anxiously guard impermanent wealth but never turn it into hospitality will lament after losing it. Responsible saving and appropriate generosity can still coexist.
▸Other translations · Pope (1886) & Aiyar (1916)
“With pain they guard their stores, yet 'All forlorn are we,' they'll cry, Who cherish not their guests, nor kindly help supply.”
“Behold the man who performeth not the sacrifice of hospitality: he will say one day, I have toiled hard and laid me up a great treasure: but it is all in vain, for there is none to comfort me.”
Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
பரிந்து ஓம்பிப் பற்று அற்றேம் என்பர் = நிலையாப் பொருளை வருந்திக் காத்துப் பின் அதனை இழந்து இதுபொழுது யாம் பற்றுக்கோடு இலமாயினேம் என்று இரங்குவர்; விருந்து ஓம்பி வேள்வி தலைப்படாதார் = அப்பொருளான் விருந்தினரை ஓம்பி வேள்விப் பயனை எய்தும் பொறி இலாதார். ('வேள்வி' ஆகுபெயர்.)
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Those who lack the good sense to use their wealth to welcome guests and gain the fruit of that sacred offering will one day grieve, saying, 'We toiled and guarded our riches, and now they are gone and we have nothing to lean on.' Hoarded wealth that was never shared leaves only regret.