II. Porutpaal

II.5 Padaiyiyal

Athikaaram 77 Porul Seyal vahai

Kural 761

Uruppamainthu ooranja velpadai vaenthan
Verukkai yulallaam thalai.


English translation:

II. WEALTH

II.5 chapter on army


Chapter. 77 The Excellence of an Army

Kural 761.

A conquering host, complete in all its limbs, that fears no wound,
Mid treasures of the king is chiefest found.
The army which is complete in (its) parts and conquers without fear of wounds is the chief wealth of the king.


other kurals:
Kural - 762
In adverse hour, to face undaunted might of conquering foe,
Is bravery that only veteran host can show.
Ancient 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.

Kural - 763
Though, like the sea, the angry mice send forth their battle cry;
What then? The dragon breathes upon them, and they die!
What if (a host of) hostile rats roar like the sea ? They will perish at the mere breath of the cobra.

Kural - 764
That is a host, by no defeats, by no desertions shamed,
For old hereditary courage famed.
That indeed is an army which has stood firm of old without suffering destruction or deserting (to the enemy).

Kural - 765
That is a 'host' that joins its ranks, and mightily withstands,
Though death with sudden wrath should fall upon its bands.
That indeed is an army which is capable of offering a united resistance, even if death advances against it with fury.

(note: in the above kural, Thiruvalluvar refers death using the word "kootru", which is translated to "yama" by the author who translated the work. Yama is god of Death in hinduism. Thiruvalluvar does not refer to Yama. he refers to "death". It is one of my interests to see his beleifs and if there is any mention of any religion, caste system and social set-up at that time of his life. I have a copy of the oldest book recovered in Tamil history, the "Tholkaappiyam", which is all about social-setup and people's life, but I am finding very difficult to understand (the language) and translate as it is really ancient. I can understand some of it though.)

Kural - 766
Valour with honour, sure advance in glory's path, with confidence;
To warlike host these four are sure defence.
Valour, honour, following in the excellent-footsteps (of its predecessors) and trust-worthiness; these four alone constitute the safeguard of an army.

Kural - 767
A valiant army bears the onslaught, onward goes,
Well taught with marshalled ranks to meet their coming foes.
That is an army which knowing the art of warding off an impending struggle, can bear against the dust-van (of a hostile force).

Kural - 768
Though not in war offensive or defensive skilled;
An army gains applause when well equipped and drilled.
Though destitute of courage to fight and strength (to endure), an army may yet gain renown by the splendour of its appearance.

Kural - 769
Where weakness, clinging fear and poverty
Are not, the host will gain the victory.
An army can triumph (over its foes) if it is free from diminution; irremediable aversion and poverty.

Kural - 770
Though men abound, all ready for the war,
No army is where no fit leaders are.
Though an army may contain a large number of permanent soldiers, it cannot last if it has no generals.





Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 05/19/2005 05:37AM by prema1.