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அரணியல்

The Essentials of a State

Wealth · Araniyal · chapters 74–75 · couplets 731–750

Poruḷ — Wealth · அரணியல்

Artha: kingship, learning, counsel, alliances, the army, friendship, the economy and the character of the citizen. 70 chapters, 700 couplets.

This section — The Essentials of a State — has 2 chapters. Open a chapter: its key couplet comes first, word by word with an insight; then all ten couplets.

Poruḷ — the sceptre and the plough (drawing for this page)

74நாடு NaatuThe Land couplets 731–740

The land: unfailing harvests, virtuous people and generous wealth make a country.

Society Wealth & economy

731key couplet

தள்ளா விளையுளும் தக்காரும் தாழ்விலாச்
செல்வரும் சேர்வது நாடு.

Thallaa Vilaiyulum Thakkaarum Thaazhvilaach
Chelvarum Servadhu Naatu

Pope (1886)Where spreads fertility unfailing, where resides a band, Of virtuous men, and those of ample wealth, call that a 'land'

MeaningA kingdom is that in which (those who carry on) a complete cultivation, virtuous persons, and

Word by word

தள்ளாunfailing

விளையுளும்harvest

தக்காரும்the worthy

தாழ்விலாச்never declining

செல்வரும்wealthy people

சேர்வதுwhere they gather

நாடுis a country

InsightA nation is its farmers, its good people and its givers — not its borders.

732

பெரும்பொருளால் பெட்டக்க தாகி அருங்கேட்டால்
ஆற்ற விளைவது நாடு.

Perumporulaal Pettakka Thaaki Arungettaal
Aatra Vilaivadhu Naatu

Pope (1886)That is a 'land' which men desire for wealth's abundant share, Yielding rich increase, where calamities are rare

MeaningA kingdom is that which is desire for its immense wealth, and which grows greatly in prosperity, being free from destructive causes

733

பொறையொருங்கு மேல்வருங்கால் தாங்கி இறைவற்கு
இறையொருங்கு நேர்வது நாடு.

Poraiyorungu Melvarungaal Thaangi Iraivarku
Iraiyorungu Nervadhu Naatu

Pope (1886)When burthens press, it bears; Yet, With unfailing handTo king due tribute pays: that is the 'land'

MeaningA kingdom is that which can bear any burden that may be pressed on it (from adjoining kingdoms) and (yet) pay the full tribute to its sovereign

734

உறுபசியும் ஓவாப் பிணியும் செறுபகையும்
சேரா தியல்வது நாடு.

Urupasiyum Ovaap Piniyum Serupakaiyum
Seraa Thiyalvadhu Naatu

Pope (1886)That is a 'land' whose peaceful annals know, Nor famine fierce, nor wasting plague, nor ravage of the foe

MeaningA kingdom is that which continues to be free from excessive starvation, irremediable epidemics, and destructive foes

735

பல்குழுவும் பாழ்செய்யும் உட்பகையும் வேந்தலைக்கும்
கொல்குறும்பும் இல்லது நாடு.

Palkuzhuvum Paazhseyyum Utpakaiyum Vendhalaikkum
Kolkurumpum Illadhu Naatu

Pope (1886)From factions free, and desolating civil strife, and bandOf lurking murderers that king afflict, that is the 'land'

MeaningA kingdom is that which is without various (irregular) associations, destructive internal enemies, and murderous savages who (sometimes) harass the sovereign

736

கேடறியாக் கெட்ட இடத்தும் வளங்குன்றா
நாடென்ப நாட்டின் தலை.

Ketariyaak Ketta Itaththum Valangundraa
Naatenpa Naattin Thalai

Pope (1886)Chief of all lands is that, where nought disturbs its peace; Or, if invaders come, still yields its rich increase

MeaningThe learned say that the best kingdom is that which knows no evil (from its foes), and, if injured (at all), suffers no diminution in its fruitfulness

737

இருபுனலும் வாய்ந்த மலையும் வருபுனலும்
வல்லரணும் நாட்டிற்கு உறுப்பு.

Irupunalum Vaaindha Malaiyum Varupunalum
Vallaranum Naattirku Uruppu

Pope (1886)Waters from rains and springs, a mountain near, and waters thence; These make a land, with fortress' sure defence

MeaningThe constituents of a kingdom are the two waters (from above and below), well situated hills and an undestructible fort

738

பிணியின்மை செல்வம் விளைவின்பம் ஏமம்
அணியென்ப நாட்டிவ் வைந்து.

Piniyinmai Selvam Vilaivinpam Emam
Aniyenpa Naattiv Vaindhu

Pope (1886)A country's jewels are these five: unfailing health, Fertility, and joy, a sure defence, and wealth

MeaningFreedom from epidemics, wealth, produce, happiness and protection (to subjects); these five, the learned, say, are the ornaments of a kingdom

739

நாடென்ப நாடா வளத்தன நாடல்ல
நாட வளந்தரு நாடு.

Naatenpa Naataa Valaththana Naatalla
Naata Valandharu Naatu

Pope (1886)That is a land that yields increase unsought, That is no land whose gifts with toil are bought

MeaningThe learned say that those are kingdom whose wealth is not laboured for, and those not, whose wealth is only obtained through labour

740

ஆங்கமை வெய்தியக் கண்ணும் பயமின்றே
வேந்தமை வில்லாத நாடு.

Aangamai Veydhiyak Kannum Payamindre
Vendhamai Villaadha Naatu

Pope (1886)Though blest with all these varied gifts' increase, A land gains nought that is not with its king at peace

MeaningAlthough in possession of all the above mentioned excellences, these are indeed of no use to a country, in the absence of harmony between the sovereign and the sujects

75அரண் AranThe Fortification couplets 741–750

The fortress: valued by the strong and the fearful alike.

Army & defence

741key couplet

ஆற்று பவர்க்கும் அரண்பொருள் அஞ்சித்தற்
போற்று பவர்க்கும் பொருள்.

Aatru Pavarkkum Aranporul Anjiththar
Potru Pavarkkum Porul

Pope (1886)A fort is wealth to those who act against their foes; Is wealth to them who, fearing, guard themselves from woes

MeaningA fort is an object of importance to those who march (against their foes) as well as to those who through fear (of pursuers) would seek it for shelter

Word by word

ஆற்றுfor those who attack

பவர்க்கும்↳ completes the word before

அரண்பொருள்a fort is a thing (of worth)

அஞ்சித்தற்for those who fear and

போற்றுtake shelter

பவர்க்கும்↳ completes the word before

பொருள்a thing (of worth)

InsightSecurity as a public good.

742

மணிநீரும் மண்ணும் மலையும் அணிநிழற்
காடும் உடைய தரண்.

Manineerum Mannum Malaiyum Aninizhar
Kaatum Utaiya Tharan

Pope (1886)A fort is that which owns fount of waters crystal clear, An open space, a hill, and shade of beauteous forest near

MeaningA fort is that which has everlasting water, plains, mountains and cool shady forests

743

உயர்வகலம் திண்மை அருமைஇந் நான்கின்
அமைவரண் என்றுரைக்கும் நூல்.

Uyarvakalam Thinmai Arumaiin Naankin
Amaivaran Endruraikkum Nool

Pope (1886)Height, breadth, strength, difficult access:Science declares a fort must these possess

MeaningThe learned say that a fortress is an enclosure having these four (qualities) viz, height, breadth, strength and inaccessibility

744

சிறுகாப்பிற் பேரிடத்த தாகி உறுபகை
ஊக்கம் அழிப்ப தரண்.

Sirukaappir Peritaththa Thaaki Urupakai
Ookkam Azhippa Tharan

Pope (1886)A fort must need but slight defence, yet ample be, Defying all the foeman's energy

MeaningA fort is that which has an extensive space within, but only small places to be guarded, and such as can destroy the courage of besieging foes

745

கொளற்கரிதாய்க் கொண்டகூழ்த் தாகி அகத்தார்
நிலைக்கெளிதாம் நீரது அரண்.

Kolarkaridhaaik Kontakoozhth Thaaki Akaththaar
Nilaikkelidhaam Neeradhu Aran

Pope (1886)Impregnable, containing ample stores of food, A fort for those within, must be a warlike station good

MeaningA fort is that which cannot be captured, which abounds in suitable provisions, and affords a position of easy defence to its inmates

746

எல்லாப் பொருளும் உடைத்தாய் இடத்துதவும்
நல்லாள் உடையது அரண்.

Ellaap Porulum Utaiththaai Itaththudhavum
Nallaal Utaiyadhu Aran

Pope (1886)A fort, with all munitions amply stored, In time of need should good reserves afford

MeaningA fort is that which has all (needful) things, and excellent heroes that can help it against destruction (by foes)

747

முற்றியும் முற்றா தெறிந்தும் அறைப்படுத்தும்
பற்றற் கரியது அரண்.

Mutriyum Mutraa Therindhum Araippatuththum
Patrar Kariyadhu Aran

Pope (1886)A fort should be impregnable to foes who gird it round, Or aim there darts from far, or mine beneath the ground

MeaningA fort is that which cannot be captured by blockading, assaulting, or undermining it

748

முற்றாற்றி முற்றி யவரையும் பற்றாற்றிப்
பற்றியார் வெல்வது அரண்.

Mutraatri Mutri Yavaraiyum Patraatrip
Patriyaar Velvadhu Aran

Pope (1886)Howe'er the circling foe may strive access to win, A fort should give the victory to those who guard within

MeaningThat is a fort whose inmates are able to overcome without losing their ground, even abler men who have besieged it

749

முனைமுகத்து மாற்றலர் சாய வினைமுகத்து
வீறெய்தி மாண்ட தரண்.

Munaimukaththu Maatralar Saaya Vinaimukaththu
Veereydhi Maanta Tharan

Pope (1886)At outset of the strife a fort should foes dismay; And greatness gain by deeds in every glorious day

MeaningA fort is that which derives excellence from the stratagems made (by its inmates) to defeat their enemies in the battlefield

750

எனைமாட்சித் தாகியக் கண்ணும் வினைமாட்சி
இல்லார்கண் இல்லது அரண்.

Enaimaatchith Thaakiyak Kannum Vinaimaatchi
Illaarkan Illadhu Aran

Pope (1886)Howe'er majestic castled walls may rise, To craven souls no fortress strength supplies

MeaningAlthough a fort may possess all (the above-said) excellence, it is, as it were without these, if its inmates possess not the excellence of action

Tamil text and transliteration from the open Tirukkural dataset (github.com/tk120404/thirukkural), typos corrected. English: G. U. Pope’s verse translation (1886) and a 19th-century prose rendering, both public domain. Word meanings, chapter themes and insights are written for this page, following the classical reading of Parimēlaḻakar. Pictures: Wikimedia Commons (public domain / CC0) and drawings made for this page.