Kural #546
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Tamil text
வேலன்று வென்றி தருவது
மன்னவன் கோலதூஉம் கோடா தெனின்
Vēlaṉṟu veṉṟi taruvatu
Maṉṉavaṉ kōlatūum kōṭā teṉiṉ
English translation
It is not the spear that brings victory, but the king's scepter - if it does not bend from justice.
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Explanation
Military might (வேல்) does not guarantee success. True victory comes from just governance (கோல்) that does not deviate (கோடாது). Righteousness is stronger than weapons. Internal justice creates external strength.
விளக்கம்
குறள் 546: வெற்றி தருவது வேல் அல்ல; மன்னனின் செங்கோலே முக்கியம். அது நீதி தவறாமல் நேராக இருக்க வேண்டும். செங்கோன்மை அதிகாரத்தின்படி, நேர்மையான ஆட்சியே நாட்டை வலிமையாக்கும்.
Word meanings
- வேல்vēlspear
- அன்றுaṉṟunot
- வென்றிveṉṟivictory
- தருவதுtaruvatuthat which gives
- மன்னவன்maṉṉavaṉking
- கோல்kōlscepter
- அதூஉம்atūumthat also
- கோடாதுkōṭātunot bending
- எனின்eṉiṉif
Story behind this kural
King Arul, a just ruler, prepared for war against the neighboring kingdom. His armories overflowed with gleaming swords and sturdy shields. His soldiers were the strongest, trained relentlessly. Yet, as the war drums beat, doubt gnawed at his heart. He noticed that the neighboring King, a harsh and selfish man, had a much smaller army. Arul consulted his wise advisor, Valli. "My King," she said, "true strength lies not in the sharpness of the sword, but in the straightness of the scepter." Arul, puzzled, marched into battle. His army, though mighty, struggled. The enemy, though fewer in number, fought with a fervor born of desperation, for their King cared little for their welfare. Then, Arul remembered Valli's words. He returned to his kingdom and redoubled his efforts to treat his people fairly. He ensured that all were treated justly. He listened to the needs of the poor. He made decisions with compassion. Soon, his kingdom flourished, and his army was feared, not just for its strength, but for its righteousness. The neighboring kingdom fell.