Kural #750
Last reviewed:
Tamil text
ஆற்று அறுத்தல் ஆற்றாதார்க்கு அஞ்சம்
மறுத்தலால் மாண்டது ஓர் அரண்
Āṟṟu aṟuttal āṟṟātārkku añcam
Maṟuttalāl māṇṭatu ōr araṇ
English translation
A fort gains glory by protecting those who cannot withstand siege warfare and removing their fear.
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Explanation
The true greatness of a fortress lies in its ability to provide safe refuge for the vulnerable during times of war, transforming their fear into security through impregnable defense.
விளக்கம்
பொருள்: முற்றுகையிட முடியாத அரண் பலவீனமானவர்களைக் காத்து, பயத்தைப் போக்கும். இது அரணின் சிறப்பு. "அரண்" அதிகாரத்தில், பாதுகாப்பே முக்கியம் என வள்ளுவர் கூறுகிறார். தைரியம் இல்லாதவர்க்கு அரணே துணை.
Word meanings
- ஆற்றுāṟṟuwithstand/endure
- அறுத்தல்aṟuttalcutting off/siege
- ஆற்றாதார்க்குāṟṟātārkkufor those who cannot endure
- அஞ்சம்añcamfear
- மறுத்தல்maṟuttalremoving/denying
- ஆல்ālby
- மாண்டதுmāṇṭatuglorious/excellent
- ஓர்ōrone/a
- அரண்araṇfort
Story behind this kural
The village of Oakhaven was nestled in a valley, its wooden homes vulnerable. Whispers of war and pillaging spread like wildfire. Many villagers, weak and afraid, prepared to flee. But Elder Elara, wise and respected, proposed a plan. "Our strength lies not in fleeing, but in unity," she declared. They would fortify the old watchtower, a stone structure at the valley's edge. Some scoffed. “We are farmers, not soldiers!” But Elara persisted. She organized the strong to gather stones, the skilled to build defenses, and the women to prepare provisions. She welcomed everyone, even the hesitant. When the enemy arrived, their advance was met with a stout defense. The watchtower stood firm, protecting those within. Those who had prepared to flee found safety. The villagers, once divided by fear, fought together, emboldened by their shared refuge. The enemy, frustrated, soon retreated. Oakhaven, once trembling, became known for its resilience. The watchtower, once just a structure, became a symbol of strength and protection.