Kural #481
Last reviewed:
Tamil text
பகல்வெல்லும் கூகையைக் காக்கை
இகல்வெல்லும் வேந்தர்க்கு வேண்டும் பொழுது
Pakalvellum kūkaiyaik kākkai
Ikalvellum vēntarkku vēṇṭum poḻutu
English translation
The crow conquers the owl in daylight; for kings who wish to conquer enemies, timing is essential.
Listen
Explanation
The owl is more powerful than the crow, yet the crow defeats it in daylight because that is when the crow is at advantage. Similarly, even weaker forces can defeat stronger opponents by choosing the right time. Strategic timing trumps raw power.
விளக்கம்
பகலில் காகம் கூகையை வெல்லும். அதுபோல, அரசர்கள் பகைவரை வெல்ல சரியான நேரம் அறிந்து செயல்பட வேண்டும். சரியான நேரம் வலிமையை விட முக்கியம். இது காலமறிதல் அதிகாரத்தில் உள்ளது.
Word meanings
- பகல்pakaldaytime
- வெல்லும்vellumwill conquer
- கூகையைkūkaiyaithe owl
- காக்கைkākkaithe crow
- இகல்ikalenmity/battle
- வேந்தர்க்குvēntarkkufor kings
- வேண்டும்vēṇṭumis needed
- பொழுதுpoḻututime
Story behind this kural
In a valley nestled between towering peaks lived two neighboring villages. One, prosperous and strong, was ruled by a fearsome warrior-king. The other, smaller and less wealthy, was known for its cleverness. The warrior-king, greedy for more land, declared war. His army marched at dawn, confident of swift victory. But the villagers, knowing they were outmatched in open battle, devised a plan. They lured the enemy deep into a narrow gorge at midday, the sun blazing overhead. The warrior-king's soldiers, burdened by heavy armor and the midday heat, grew weary and disorganized. The villagers, nimble and accustomed to the terrain, used the sun’s glare to their advantage, ambushing the invaders from the shadows. The warrior-king's army, disoriented and exhausted, suffered a crushing defeat. The villagers, though weaker, had chosen the right time and place, and their strategy proved victorious.