Kural #499
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Tamil text
சிறைநலனும் சீரும் இலரெனினும்
மாந்தர் உறைநிலத்தோடு ஒட்டல் அரிது
Ciṟainalaṉum cīrum ilareniṉum
Māntar uṟainilatōṭu oṭṭal aritu
English translation
Even if they lack fortress protection and resources, it is difficult to attack people in their own land.
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Explanation
Home advantage is powerful. Even without fortifications or wealth, people defending their homeland are formidable opponents. The psychological and practical advantages of fighting on home ground are immense.
விளக்கம்
குறள் 499 விளக்கம்: தன்னுடைய இடத்துல கோட்டை, பொருள் இல்லாட்டியும், எதிரிகளை வெல்வது கடினம். சொந்த மண்ணின் பலமே தனி. "இடனறிதல்" அதிகாரத்தின்படி, இடம் அறிந்து செயல்படுவது முக்கியம்.
Word meanings
- சிறைநலனும்ciṟainalaṉumfortress strength also
- சீரும்cīrumresources also
- இலர்ilarwithout
- எனினும்eṉiṉumeven if
- மாந்தர்māntarpeople
- உறைநிலத்தோடுuṟainilatōṭuin their dwelling place
- ஒட்டல்oṭṭalattacking
- அரிதுarituis difficult
Story behind this kural
The ambitious King Alaric, known for his vast armies, eyed the peaceful village of Oakhaven. Its people were simple farmers, with no walls or soldiers to speak of. "Easy pickings," he declared, and marched his legions towards the valley. The villagers, seeing the dust cloud rise, panicked. But old Elara, wise and respected, calmed them. "We have no walls, but we have our homes," she said. The first attack came swiftly. Alaric's soldiers, strong and well-equipped, surged forward. Yet, every alley, every garden, every doorway became a fierce battleground. The villagers, though fewer, knew every hidden path, every weakness in their own homes. The soldiers, disoriented and far from their supply lines, struggled. Days turned into weeks. Alaric's army grew weary and demoralized. They had wealth and power, but the villagers had something more. Finally, Alaric, defeated, ordered the retreat. He had underestimated the strength found in the familiar soil.