Surface Tension and Capillary Rise

[harsh22902]

According to this definition I am unable to understand why does surface tension acts tangentially to surface of contact of liquid and capillary tube. And is the force of surface tension balancing the adhesive forces which lead to capillary rise OR it is the reason behind the capillary rise?

 

[mjc123]

In capillary action, there are three interfaces to consider - solid/liquid, liquid/ air and solid/air. It is the balance between the three surface tensions that determines whether the liquid level rises or falls.