Thirukkural Chapter 9 - Hospitality


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

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

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

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

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?

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

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

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."

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

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