The Kural
All chapters › Wealth (பொருட்பால்) › Chapter 78
படைச் செருக்கு
Kurals 771–780 of the Thirukkural, in the book of Wealth (பொருட்பால்).
என்னைமுன் நில்லன்மின் தெவ்விர் பலரென்னை
முன்நின்று கல்நின் றவர்.
Ye foes! stand not before my lord! for many a one
Who did my lord withstand, now stands in stone!
G.U. Pope, 1886
In today's words: Rivals, don't stand against my leader; many who did now stand as stone memorials.
Open in the appகான முயலெய்த அம்பினில் யானை
பிழைத்தவேல் ஏந்தல் இனிது.
Who aims at elephant, though dart should fail, has greater praise.
Than he who woodland hare with winged arrow slays.
G.U. Pope, 1886
In today's words: Better to hold a spear that missed an elephant than one that hit a rabbit. Aim high.
Open in the appபேராண்மை என்ப தறுகண்ஒன் றுற்றக்கால்
ஊராண்மை மற்றதன் எஃகு.
Fierceness in hour of strife heroic greatness shows;
Its edge is kindness to our suffering foes.
G.U. Pope, 1886
In today's words: Fierce courage in battle is great; kindness to a fallen enemy is greater still.
Open in the appகைவேல் களிற்றொடு போக்கி வருபவன்
மெய்வேல் பறியா நகும்.
At elephant he hurls the dart in hand; for weapon pressed,
He laughs and plucks the javelin from his wounded breast.
G.U. Pope, 1886
In today's words: The hero who threw his spear at an elephant pulls the one stuck in his own body out with a laugh.
Open in the appவிழித்தகண் வேல்கொண டெறிய அழித்திமைப்பின்
ஒட்டன்றோ வன்க ணவர்க்கு.
To hero fearless must it not defeat appear,
If he but wink his eye when foeman hurls his spear.
G.U. Pope, 1886
In today's words: For the brave, flinching when a spear comes at them counts as defeat.
Open in the appவிழுப்புண் படாதநாள் எல்லாம் வழுக்கினுள்
வைக்கும்தன் நாளை எடுத்து.
The heroes, counting up their days, set down as vain
Each day when they no glorious wound sustain.
G.U. Pope, 1886
In today's words: A warrior counts every day without a real challenge as a day wasted.
Open in the appசுழலும் இசைவேண்டி வேண்டா உயிரார்
கழல்யாப்புக் காரிகை நீர்த்து.
Who seek for world-wide fame, regardless of their life,
The glorious clasp adorns, sign of heroic strife.
G.U. Pope, 1886
In today's words: Those who want lasting glory more than safety wear their anklets proudly.
Open in the appஉறின்உயிர் அஞ்சா மறவர் இறைவன்
செறினும் சீர்குன்றல் இலர்.
Fearless they rush where'er 'the tide of battle rolls';
The king's reproof damps not the ardour of their eager souls.
G.U. Pope, 1886
In today's words: Brave people unafraid of death don't lose their fire, even if their leader holds them back.
Open in the appஇழைத்தது இகவாமைச் சாவாரை யாரே
பிழைத்தது ஒறுக்கிற் பவர்.
Who says they err, and visits them with scorn,
Who die and faithful guard the vow they've sworn?
G.U. Pope, 1886
In today's words: Who would call someone a failure who keeps their word even at the cost of their life?
Open in the appபுரந்தார்கண் நீர்மல்கச் சாகிற்பின் சாக்காடு
இரந்துகோள் தக்கது உடைத்து.
If monarch's eyes o'erflow with tears for hero slain,
Who would not beg such boon of glorious death to gain?
G.U. Pope, 1886
In today's words: A death that brings tears to the leader's eyes is worth begging for.
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