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படையில்

The Excellence of an Army

Wealth · Padaiyil · chapters 77–78 · couplets 761–780

Poruḷ — Wealth · படையில்

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

This section — The Excellence of an Army — 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)

77படை மாட்சி PataimaatchiThe Excellence of an Army couplets 761–770

The army: a complete, fearless army is the ruler’s chief wealth.

Army & defence

761key couplet

உறுப்பமைந்து ஊறஞ்சா வெல்படை வேந்தன்
வெறுக்கையுள் எல்லாம் தலை.

Uruppamaindhu Ooranjaa Velpatai Vendhan
Verukkaiyul Ellaam Thalai

Pope (1886)A conquering host, complete in all its limbs, that fears no wound, Mid treasures of the king is chiefest found

MeaningThe army which is complete in (its) parts and conquers without fear of wounds is the chief wealth of the king

Word by word

உறுப்பமைந்துcomplete in parts

ஊறஞ்சாunafraid of wounds

வெல்படைvictorious army

வேந்தன்the king’s

வெறுக்கையுள்among his riches

எல்லாம்all

தலைis chief

InsightStrength in service of protection — the kṣatriya ideal.

762

உலைவிடத்து ஊறஞ்சா வன்கண் தொலைவிடத்துத்
தொல்படைக் கல்லால் அரிது.

Ulaivitaththu Ooranjaa Vankan Tholaivitaththuth
Tholpataik Kallaal Aridhu

Pope (1886)In adverse hour, to face undaunted might of conquering foe, Is bravery that only veteran host can show

MeaningAncient army can alone have the valour which makes it stand by its king at the time of defeat, fearless of wounds and unmindful of its reduced strength

763

ஒலித்தக்கால் என்னாம் உவரி எலிப்பகை
நாகம் உயிர்ப்பக் கெடும்.

Oliththakkaal Ennaam Uvari Elippakai
Naakam Uyirppak Ketum

Pope (1886)Though, like the sea, the angry mice send forth their battle cry; What then? The dragon breathes upon them, and they die

MeaningWhat if (a host of) hostile rats roar like the sea ? They will perish at the mere breath of the cobra

764

அழிவின்றி அறைபோகா தாகி வழிவந்த
வன்க ணதுவே படை.

Azhivindri Araipokaa Thaaki Vazhivandha
Vanka Nadhuve Patai

Pope (1886)That is a host, by no defeats, by no desertions shamed, For old hereditary courage famed

MeaningThat indeed is an army which has stood firm of old without suffering destruction or deserting (to the enemy)

765

கூற்றுடன்று மேல்வரினும் கூடி எதிர்நிற்கும்
ஆற்ற லதுவே படை.

Kootrutandru Melvarinum Kooti Edhirnirkum
Aatra Ladhuve Patai

Pope (1886)That is a 'host' that joins its ranks, and mightily withstands, Though death with sudden wrath should fall upon its bands

MeaningThat indeed is an army which is capable of offering a united resistance, even if Yama advances against it with fury

766

மறமானம் மாண்ட வழிச்செலவு தேற்றம்
எனநான்கே ஏமம் படைக்கு.

Maramaanam Maanta Vazhichchelavu Thetram
Enanaanke Emam Pataikku

Pope (1886)Valour with honour, sure advance in glory's path, with confidence; To warlike host these four are sure defence

MeaningValour, honour, following in the excellent-footsteps (of its predecessors) and trust-worthiness; these four alone constitute the safeguard of an army

767

தார்தாங்கிச் செல்வது தானை தலைவந்த
போர்தாங்கும் தன்மை அறிந்து.

Thaardhaangich Chelvadhu Thaanai Thalaivandha
Pordhaangum Thanmai Arindhu

Pope (1886)A valiant army bears the onslaught, onward goes, Well taught with marshalled ranks to meet their coming foes

MeaningThat is an army which knowing the art of warding off an impending struggle, can bear against the dust-van (of a hostile force)

768

அடல்தகையும் ஆற்றலும் இல்லெனினும் தானை
படைத்தகையால் பாடு பெறும்.

Ataldhakaiyum Aatralum Illeninum Thaanai
Pataiththakaiyaal Paatu Perum

Pope (1886)Though not in war offensive or defensive skilled; An army gains applause when well equipped and drilled

MeaningThough destitute of courage to fight and strength (to endure), an army may yet gain renown by the splendour of its appearance

769

சிறுமையும் செல்லாத் துனியும் வறுமையும்
இல்லாயின் வெல்லும் படை.

Sirumaiyum Sellaath Thuniyum Varumaiyum
Illaayin Vellum Patai

Pope (1886)Where weakness, clinging fear and povertyAre not, the host will gain the victory

MeaningAn army can triumph (over its foes) if it is free from diminution; irremediable aversion and poverty

770

நிலைமக்கள் சால உடைத்தெனினும் தானை
தலைமக்கள் இல்வழி இல்.

Nilaimakkal Saala Utaiththeninum Thaanai
Thalaimakkal Ilvazhi Il

Pope (1886)Though men abound, all ready for the war, No army is where no fit leaders are

MeaningThough an army may contain a large number of permanent soldiers, it cannot last if it has no generals

78படைச் செருக்கு PataichcherukkuMilitary Spirit couplets 771–780

Military spirit: “Do not stand before my leader — many who did now stand as memorial stones.”

Army & defence Courage

771key couplet

என்னைமுன் நில்லன்மின் தெவ்விர் பலரென்னை
முன்நின்று கல்நின் றவர்.

Ennaimun Nillanmin Thevvir Palarennai
Munnindru Kalnin Ravar

Pope (1886)Ye foes stand not before my lord for many a oneWho did my lord withstand, now stands in stone

MeaningO my foes, stand not before my leader; (for) many are those who did so but afterwards stood (in the shape of) statues

Word by word

என்னைமுன்before my (leader)

நில்லன்மின்do not stand

தெவ்விர்O foes

பலரென்னைmany, before my (leader)

முன்நின்றுhaving stood

கல்நின்stand as stones

றவர்they

InsightThe naṭukal, hero-stone, of ancient Tamil culture appears here — courage remembered in stone.

772

கான முயலெய்த அம்பினில் யானை
பிழைத்தவேல் ஏந்தல் இனிது.

Kaana Muyaleydha Ampinil Yaanai
Pizhaiththavel Endhal Inidhu

Pope (1886)Who aims at elephant, though dart should fail, has greater praiseThan he who woodland hare with winged arrow slays

MeaningIt is more pleasant to hold the dart that has missed an elephant than that which has hit hare in the forest

773

பேராண்மை என்ப தறுகண்ஒன் றுற்றக்கால்
ஊராண்மை மற்றதன் எஃகு.

Peraanmai Enpa Tharukanon Rutrakkaal
Ooraanmai Matradhan Eqku

Pope (1886)Fierceness in hour of strife heroic greatness shows; Its edge is kindness to our suffering foes

MeaningThe learned say that fierceness (incontest with a foe) is indeed great valour; but to become a benefactor in case of accident (to a foe) is the extreme (limit) of that valour

774

கைவேல் களிற்றொடு போக்கி வருபவன்
மெய்வேல் பறியா நகும்.

Kaivel Kalitrotu Pokki Varupavan
Meyvel Pariyaa Nakum

Pope (1886)At elephant he hurls the dart in hand; for weapon pressed, He laughs and plucks the javelin from his wounded breast

MeaningThe hero who after casting the lance in his hand on an elephant, comes (in search of another) will pluck the one (that sticks) in his body and laugh (exultingly)

775

விழித்தகண் வேல்கொண டெறிய அழித்திமைப்பின்
ஒட்டன்றோ வன்க ணவர்க்கு.

Vizhiththakan Velkona Teriya Azhiththimaippin
Ottandro Vanka Navarkku

Pope (1886)To hero fearless must it not defeat appear, If he but wink his eye when foemen hurls his spear

MeaningIs it not a defeat to the valiant to wink and destroy their ferocious look when a lance in cast at them (by their foe) ?

776

விழுப்புண் படாதநாள் எல்லாம் வழுக்கினுள்
வைக்கும்தன் நாளை எடுத்து.

Vizhuppun Pataadhanaal Ellaam Vazhukkinul
Vaikkumdhan Naalai Etuththu

Pope (1886)The heroes, counting up their days, set down as vainEach day when they no glorious wound sustain

MeaningThe hero will reckon among wasted days all those on which he had not received severe wounds

777

சுழலும் இசைவேண்டி வேண்டா உயிரார்
கழல்யாப்புக் காரிகை நீர்த்து.

Suzhalum Isaiventi Ventaa Uyiraar
Kazhalyaappuk Kaarikai Neerththu

Pope (1886)Who seek for world-wide fame, regardless of their life, The glorious clasp adorns, sign of heroic strife

MeaningThe fastening of ankle-ring by those who disire a world-wide renown and not (the safety of) their lives is like adorning (themselves)

778

உறின்உயிர் அஞ்சா மறவர் இறைவன்
செறினும் சீர்குன்றல் இலர்.

Urinuyir Anjaa Maravar Iraivan
Serinum Seerkundral Ilar

Pope (1886)Fearless they rush where'er 'the tide of battle rolls'; The king's reproof damps not the ardour of their eager souls

MeaningThe heroes who are not afraid of losing their life in a contest will not cool their ardour, even if the king prohibits (their fighting)

779

இழைத்தது இகவாமைச் சாவாரை யாரே
பிழைத்தது ஒறுக்கிற் பவர்.

Izhaiththadhu Ikavaamaich Chaavaarai Yaare
Pizhaiththadhu Orukkir Pavar

Pope (1886)Who says they err, and visits them scorn, Who die and faithful guard the vow they've sworn

MeaningWho would reproach with failure those who seal their oath with their death ?

780

புரந்தார்கண் நீர்மல்கச் சாகிற்பின் சாக்காடு
இரந்துகோள் தக்கது உடைத்து.

Purandhaarkan Neermalkach Chaakirpin Saakkaatu
Irandhukol Thakkadhu Utaiththu

Pope (1886)If monarch's eyes o'erflow with tears for hero slain, Who would not beg such boon of glorious death to gain

MeaningIf (heroes) can so die as to fill with tears the eyes of their rulers, such a death deserves to be obtained even by begging

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.