Kural #748
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Tamil text
ஆங்கு அதுவே கொல்லோ அரண்என்ப
மற்றுஅதன் நீங்குஅக நல்லவாய்க் கவர்ப்பு
Āṅku atuvē kollō araṇeṉpa
Maṟṟuataṉ nīṅkuaka nallavāyk kavarppu
English translation
What is truly called a fort? It is that which properly seizes all approaches and exits from the enemy.
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Explanation
The essence of a strategic fortification is complete control of entry and exit points, allowing defenders to regulate movement while denying enemies freedom of approach or retreat.
விளக்கம்
அரணாவது எதிரிகள் நுழையவும் வெளியேறவும் முடியாதபடி வழிகளைச் சரியாகக் கட்டுப்படுத்துவதே. நல்ல அரண் எதிரிகளை உள்ளே விடாமல், வெளியே போகவும் விடாமல் காக்கும். இது அரண் அதிகாரத்தில் சொல்லப்பட்ட முக்கிய அறிவுரை.
Word meanings
- ஆங்குāṅkuthere/thus
- அதுவேatuvēthat itself
- கொல்லோkollōindeed (question)
- அரண்araṇfort
- என்பeṉpais called
- மற்றுmaṟṟuother
- அதன்ataṉits/of it
- நீங்குnīṅkudeparting/exit
- அகakaentering
- நல்லnallagood/proper
- ஆய்āysuch
- கவர்ப்புkavarppuseizing/controlling
Story behind this kural
The villagers of Stonebrook were renowned for their beautiful orchards. One autumn, a greedy merchant, Silas, coveted their harvest. He sent spies to scout the village, plotting his raid. Stonebrook's elder, Elara, foresaw the danger. Instead of building high walls, she instructed the villagers. They secretly diverted the main road, creating a narrow, winding path through the densest part of the forest. The usual route, the wide, open approach, was left seemingly unguarded. When Silas's men arrived, confident of an easy victory, they found themselves trapped. The narrow path, with hidden pitfalls and watchful villagers, became a nightmare. The men panicked, their numbers useless in the constricted space. Silas watched helplessly as his forces were routed, his ambitions thwarted not by brute strength, but by clever control of the way in and out. The orchard, and Stonebrook, remained safe.