Kural #632
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Tamil text
வன்கண் குடிகாத்தல் கற்றறிதல்
ஆள்வினையோடு ஐந்துடன் மாண்டது அமைச்சு
Vaṇkaṇ kuṭikāttal kaṟṟaṟital
Āḷviṉaiyōṭu aintuṭaṉ māṇṭatu amaiccu
English translation
A true minister excels in five qualities: courage, protecting the people, learning, applying knowledge, and industriousness.
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Explanation
Thiruvalluvar lists five essential ministerial qualities: வன்கண் (courage/boldness), குடிகாத்தல் (protecting subjects), கற்றறிதல் (learning and applying), and ஆள்வினை (diligence). These form the foundation of good governance.
விளக்கம்
அமைச்சு அதிகாரத்தில், நல்ல அமைச்சருக்கு ஐந்து குணங்கள் வேணும். தைரியம், மக்களைக் காத்தல், கற்றல், அதை உபயோகித்தல், முயற்சி இவை ஐந்தும் இருந்தால் ஆட்சி சிறக்கும். நல்ல தலைவன் உருவாக இது வழி.
Word meanings
- வன்கண்vaṇkaṇcourage/boldness
- குடிkuṭipeople/subjects
- காத்தல்kāttalprotecting
- கற்றுkaṟṟulearning
- அறிதல்aṟitalknowing/applying
- ஆள்வினைāḷviṉaiindustriousness/diligence
- ஐந்துaintufive
- உடன்uṭaṉtogether
- மாண்டதுmāṇṭatuexcelling
- அமைச்சுamaiccuminister
Story behind this kural
The village of Eldoria faced a harsh winter. Food dwindled, and a chilling fear gripped the hearts of its people. The King, a kind but indecisive man, wrung his hands. His advisors offered only empty words. Then, Elara, a woman known for her sharp mind and unwavering spirit, stepped forward. She proposed a plan: a daring expedition into the frozen mountains to find a lost granary rumored to hold a year's supply of grain. Many scoffed, fearing the perilous journey. But Elara, with her courage, rallied the villagers. She organized the expedition, learning from ancient maps and applying that knowledge to the harsh terrain. They worked tirelessly, braving blizzards and treacherous paths. Elara, fiercely protecting her people, ensured everyone’s safety. Against all odds, they found the granary. The village rejoiced, their bellies full, their fear replaced with gratitude. The King, humbled, realized Elara’s wisdom.