Kural #762
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Tamil text
ஒன்றாபோத் தம்மைத் தொலைவிலர்
நின்றாபோத் தென்கோட்டா லும் விலர்
Oṉdrāpōt tammayt tolaivalar
Niṉdrāpōt teṉkōṭṭā lum vilar
English translation
When armies advance, they do not destroy themselves; when they stand firm, they yield not even by a single direction.
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Explanation
Elite troops demonstrate two critical qualities: prudent self-preservation during offensive maneuvers, and absolute immovability in defensive positions without retreating even slightly.
விளக்கம்
படை வீரத்தின் சிறப்பை இக்குறள் சொல்லுது. படைகள் முன்னேறும்போது, தங்களை அழித்துக்கொள்ளாமல் கவனமாக இருக்கணும். அதேபோல், எதிர்த்து நிக்கும்போது எந்தப் பக்கமும் அசையாம உறுதியா நிக்கணும். தன்னைக் காத்து, தளராமல் இருப்பது வீரத்தின் அடையாளம்.
Word meanings
- ஒன்றுoṉdruunite/advance
- ஆபோதுāpōtuwhen
- தம்மைtammaithemselves
- தொலைவிலர்tolaivalardo not destroy
- நின்றுniṉdrustanding/stationary
- ஆபோதுāpōtuwhen
- தேன்tēṉany
- கோடுkōṭuside/direction
- ஆலும்ālumeven by
- விலர்vilardo not yield
Story behind this kural
The King's army marched on the valley, a serpent of steel against the setting sun. Young Elara, a newly appointed captain, watched as their vanguard, eager for glory, charged a well-defended village. Many fell, their ambition costing them dearly. Elara, however, held her formation, her archers raining arrows to protect the advance. Later, the army faced a steep mountain pass. Enemy soldiers swarmed down, a relentless tide. Panic threatened to break the lines. Elara, remembering the fallen, ordered her troops to dig in, forming a shield wall. They stood firm, repelling the attacks. The enemy, frustrated, retreated. The King, observing from a distance, smiled. He saw that Elara's force, in its measured advance and steadfast defense, had achieved more than those who sought only fleeting victories. Their discipline and resolve had won the day.