104.2 Agriculture
(104.2 உழவு)
Question:
What is the importance of the farmers?
Answer:
Farmers are the linchpin of the world because they
support
all the people who ignore farming and take other
occupations. (Couplet – 1032)
Only those who plow the field, grow, and raise their food
do not depend upon anyone else for food. Others rely upon
them for
their sustenance. (Couplet
– 1033)
Prosperous farmers will bring all other states under the
control
of their king. (Couplet
– 1034)
Those who eat the fruits of their labor will never beg
and never deny food to those who beg. (Couplet
- 1035)
If farmers do not cultivate, even ascetics will suffer. (Couplet – 1036)
உழுவார் உலகத்தார்க்கு ஆணிஅஃ தாற்றாது
எழுவாரை எல்லாம் பொறுத்து. (குறள் – 1032)
உழுதுண்டு வாழ்வாரே வாழ்வார்மற் றெல்லாம்
தொழுதுண்டு பின்செல் பவர். (குறள் – 1033)
பலகுடை நீழலும் தங்குடைக்கீழ்க் காண்பர்
அலகுடை நீழ லவர். (குறள் – 1034)
இரவார் இரப்பார்க்கொன்று ஈவர் கரவாது
கைசெய்தூண் மாலை யவர். (குறள் – 1035)
உழவினார் கைம்மடங்கின் இல்லை விழைவதூஉம்
விட்டேம்என் பார்க்கும் நிலை. (குறள் – 1036)
Explanation:
There are
many different occupations in the world. But only farmers cultivate and produce
food for themselves and everyone else. Even the so-called ascetics who claim to
have renounced all desires and attachments cannot live without the help of the
farmers who provide them with food. When the farmers in a country can grow
surplus food, other countries hold their country in high esteem. Therefore,
agriculture is the most important industry, and those who are engaged in
agriculture play a crucial role. To emphasize the importance of farmers,
Valluvar compares them to the linchpin, which plays an important role in
keeping the cart's wheels in place.
