மழை இல்லாது போனால் எத்தகைய துயரத்தை மக்கள் அடைவார்களோ, அத்தகைய துயரத்தை, நேர்மையில்லாத ஆட்சியின் கீழும் அடைவார்கள்.

மழையில்லாவிடில் துன்பமுறும் உலகத்தைப் போல் அருள் இல்லாத அரசினால் குடிமக்கள் தொல்லைப்படுவார்கள்

மழைத்துளி இல்லாதிருத்தல் உலகத்திற்கு எத்தன்மையானதோ, அத்தன்மையானது நாட்டில் வாழும் குடிமக்களுக்கு அரசனுடைய அருள் இல்லாத ஆட்சி.

As is the world without rain, so live a people whose king is without kindness

This Thiru Kural verse likens the absence of kindness in a ruler to a world without rain. Just as rain nourishes the earth and sustains life, kindness in a ruler cultivates prosperity and harmony among the people. The verse asserts that when a king is devoid of compassion, it is as detrimental to the people as a drought is to the world. It brings hardship, suffering, and despair, just like the absence of rainfall can lead to drought, famine, and death. In essence, the verse emphasizes the importance of empathy and benevolence in leadership. Just as rain is vital for the survival and well-being of all living things, kindness in rulership is essential for the welfare and progress of the people. It underscores the idea that a ruler's kindness is not just a virtue, but a necessity for the overall well-being of the society he governs. The cultural context here refers to the traditional Indian belief in an ideal king (or ruler) as a father figure, who is expected to take care of his subjects with kindness and compassion, just like a parent would. An unkind and uncaring ruler is considered as catastrophic as a severe drought.