Kural 226 | The Noble Act of Charity





#### Verse in Tamil and Transliteration
**இயக்கம்:**  
அற்றார் அழிபசி தீர்த்தலஃது ஒருவன்  
பெற்றான் பொருள்வைப் புழி

**Transliteration:**  
Aṟṟār aḻipasi tīrttalaḵdu oruvaṉ  
Peṟṟāṉ poruḷvaip puḻi

#### Word by Word Meaning
- **அற்றார் (Aṟṟār)** - வறியவர்கள் (The poor)
- **அழி பசி (Aḻi pasi)** - கடும் பசி (Ravaging hunger)
- **தீர்த்தல் (Tīrttal)** - தீர்த்தல் (Relieving)
- **அஃது (Aḵdu)** - அதுவே (That is)
- **ஒருவன் (Oruvaṉ)** - ஒருவன் (A man)
- **பெற்றான் (Peṟṟāṉ)** - பெற்றவன் (Who has obtained)
- **பொருள் (Poruḷ)** - செல்வம் (Wealth)
- **வைப் புழி (Vaip puḻi)** - சேர்த்து வைக்கும் இடம் (Safe place to store)

#### Verse Translation and Detailed Explanation
**Translation:**  
Relieving the ravaging hunger of the poor is the proper use of the wealth that a man has obtained.

**Explanation:**  
The Thirukkural emphasizes the importance of charity in this couplet. The greatest and most noble use of one's wealth is to alleviate the severe hunger of those in need. This act of feeding the poor is considered the most secure and righteous way to use one’s wealth. Unlike material wealth that can be destroyed or stolen, the merit earned from such benevolence is everlasting and will benefit the giver in the long run. The verse suggests that wealth, when used for charitable purposes, serves as a lasting investment in one's moral and spiritual bank.

#### Example/Analogy
Imagine a farmer who stores his harvest in a granary. If the grain is left unused, it might spoil or be eaten by pests. However, if the farmer uses his grain to feed the hungry villagers during a famine, he earns their gratitude and strengthens the community. Similarly, wealth hoarded for personal gain might be lost, but wealth used to help those in need earns lasting goodwill and virtue.

#### Highlights
- 🌟 **Noble Use of Wealth**: Charity is the highest use of wealth.
- 🌟 **Moral Investment**: Acts of charity serve as a secure investment in one's spiritual account.
- 🌟 **Community Strengthening**: Helping the needy strengthens social bonds.

#### Inference for Modern Times
In today's world, the principles of Thirukkural are more relevant than ever. The disparity between the rich and the poor continues to widen, making the act of charity crucial. Individuals and corporations alike should consider the impact of their wealth and resources on society. By investing in community welfare programs, supporting food banks, or directly assisting those in need, modern wealth can be used to create a more equitable and compassionate world. This not only helps alleviate immediate suffering but also fosters a more harmonious and just society.




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