Kural #744
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Tamil text
பொறையொரு பொருளுமாற் றாமைமட் டற்றே
அறையொரு வரணாகச் செய்யும்
Poṟaiyoru poruḷumāṟ ṟāmaimaṭ ṭaṟṟē
Aṟaiyoru varaṇākac ceyyum
English translation
Endurance that yields nothing to the enemy—that alone makes a fort truly impregnable.
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Explanation
The ultimate strength of a fortification lies not merely in physical structure but in the unwavering determination of its defenders to never surrender or yield resources to attackers.
விளக்கம்
பொறுமையே சிறந்த அரண். எதிரிக்கு எதையும் கொடுக்காமல் உறுதியாக இருந்தால், எந்தக் கோட்டையும் வெல்ல முடியாது. 'அரண்' அதிகாரத்தில் இது முக்கியம். விடாமுயற்சியே வெற்றி தரும்.
Word meanings
- பொறைpoṟaiendurance/patience
- ஒருoruone/any
- பொருள்poruḷthing/resource
- ஆற்றாமைāṟṟāmainot giving/yielding
- மட்டுmaṭṭulimit/only
- அற்றேaṟṟēindeed/truly
- அறைaṟaifort/stronghold
- அரண்varaṇfortress
- ஆகākaas
- செய்யும்ceyyummakes
Story behind this kural
The village of Vallam was known for its mighty fort. Its walls were tall, its gates strong, and its soldiers fierce. Yet, when the neighboring kingdom laid siege, fear gripped the villagers. After weeks of relentless attacks, the enemy offered a deal: surrender a portion of their grain, and the attacks would cease. The village elders debated. Some favored giving in to save lives and resources. But Elara, the fort's commander, stood firm. "Our strength isn't in these walls alone," she declared. "It's in our resolve." Ignoring the elders' pleas, Elara rallied the villagers. They rationed their supplies and endured the hardships. They repaired the walls, kept watch, and held their ground. Finally, the enemy, worn down by the villagers' unwavering resistance and dwindling resources, gave up and retreated. Vallam, though scarred, remained unbroken, its spirit its truest defense.