Kural #495
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Tamil text
நெடும்புனலுள் வெல்லும் முதலை
அடும்புனலின் நீங்கின் அதனைப் பிற
Neṭumpuṉaluḷ vellum mutalai
Aṭumpuṉaliṉ nīṅkiṉ ataṉaip piṟa
English translation
The crocodile conquers in deep water; but if it leaves the water, other creatures defeat it.
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Explanation
Every creature has its element of strength. The crocodile is supreme in water but vulnerable on land. Know your strongest ground and stay there; venture outside and you become prey.
விளக்கம்
ஆழமான நீரில் முதலை வெல்லும். ஆனால் நீரிலிருந்து வெளியே வந்தால், மற்ற உயிரினங்கள் அதை வென்றுவிடும். இது இடமறிதல் அதிகாரத்தின் கருத்து. நமக்கு வலிமை உள்ள இடத்தில் இருந்தால் வெற்றி நிச்சயம்.
Word meanings
- நெடும்புனலுள்neṭumpuṉaluḷin deep water
- வெல்லும்vellumwill conquer
- முதலைmutalaicrocodile
- அடும்aṭumkilling
- புனலின்puṉaliṉfrom water
- நீங்கின்nīṅkiṉif it leaves
- அதனைataṉaiit
- பிறpiṟaothers
Story behind this kural
In a lush, green valley lived a clever crocodile named Kriya. Kriya ruled the river, a master of stealth and power. Fish and smaller creatures feared his jaws, but on land, he was slow and awkward. One day, a boastful fox challenged Kriya. "Come, Crocodile," he sneered, "let us test our strength on the meadow!" Kriya, puffed up with pride, agreed. He lumbered onto the dry earth, away from his watery domain. The fox, swift and agile, darted around Kriya, nipping and dodging. Other creatures, emboldened, joined in. A rabbit kicked, a bird pecked. Kriya, confused and vulnerable, could not defend himself. Soon, scratched and humiliated, he retreated back to the river. There, safe in his element, he watched the fox from the depths, understanding the folly of leaving his place of power.