Kural #742
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Tamil text
பல்லார் உடைத்தாய்ப் பாழ்படாது ஒல்லார்க்கு
எல்லாம் இயல்ப ஒருங்குடைத்து
Pallār uṭaittāyp pāḻpaṭātu ollārkku
Ellām iyalpa oruṅkuṭaittu
English translation
A fort should accommodate many, never fall to ruin, and unite all necessary features to resist enemies.
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Explanation
An ideal fortification must have sufficient space for the population, structural integrity to avoid decay, and comprehensive defensive capabilities against all forms of attack.
விளக்கம்
பலரைக் கொண்டதாய், அழியாததாய், பகைவரை எதிர்க்கும் இயல்புடையதாய் அரண் இருக்க வேண்டும். அரண் பலம், மக்களையும் காத்து, நாட்டையும் காக்கும். இது அரண் அதிகாரத்தின் முக்கிய கருத்து.
Word meanings
- பல்லார்pallārmany people
- உடைத்துuṭaittucontains/has
- ஆய்āysuch that
- பாழ்படாதுpāḻpaṭātudoes not fall to ruin
- ஒல்லார்க்குollārkkufor enemies
- எல்லாம்ellāmall
- இயல்பiyalpanaturally/suitably
- ஒருங்குoruṅkutogether/united
- உடைத்துuṭaittupossessing
Story behind this kural
The village of Eldoria was nestled in a valley, its wooden palisade offering little protection. When the dreaded Shadow Riders attacked, the villagers scattered, their homes plundered. Meanwhile, in the neighboring valley, stood the fortress of Stonehaven. Its walls were broad, sheltering not only the soldiers but also the farmers, their families, and storehouses filled with grain. Within, the well provided water, and the armory held every weapon imaginable. When the Shadow Riders arrived, they found Stonehaven a formidable challenge. They battered the gates, but the sturdy stone held. They fired arrows, but the high walls protected the defenders. They attempted to starve the fortress out, but there was ample food. After days of futile attacks, the Shadow Riders retreated, defeated. The villagers of Eldoria, witnessing Stonehaven's strength, vowed to rebuild their village, learning from its example. They would build not just walls, but a haven for all, prepared for any storm.