Kural #764
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Tamil text
ஆற்றின் வருந்தா அடல்படையான்
நிற்றின் பவனஞ் சமையான் சமன்
Āṟṟiṉ varuntā aṭalpaṭaiyāṉ
Niṟṟiṉ pavañaṉj camaiyāṉ camaṉ
English translation
An excellent army does not suffer in attack, and when it stands, equals a fortified camp in stability.
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Explanation
Superior forces attack without sustaining losses and, when positioned defensively, become as impenetrable as fortified encampments, combining offensive prowess with defensive invincibility.
விளக்கம்
படைமாட்சி அதிகாரத்தில், ஒரு சிறந்த படை தாக்குதலில் சேதமின்றி இருக்கும். அது நிலையாக இருக்கும்போது, ஒரு கோட்டைக்கு சமம். வலிமையான படை ஆபத்துகளைத் தவிர்க்கும், பாதுகாப்பாகவும் இருக்கும். இது ஒரு நல்ல தலைவனின் திறமையைக் காட்டுகிறது.
Word meanings
- ஆற்றின்āṟṟiṉin attack/assault
- வருந்தாvaruntādoes not suffer
- அடல்aṭalvalor/fierceness
- படைpaṭaiarmy
- ஆன்āṉbeing
- நிற்றின்niṟṟiṉwhen standing
- பவனம்pavaṉamcamp/fortification
- சமைcamaiequal to
- தான்tāṉitself
- சமன்camaṉequal/level
Story behind this kural
The King’s army, renowned for its swift victories, marched upon the neighboring kingdom. Unlike other armies that charged headlong, they moved with precision. Arrows flew, but their shields, expertly crafted, deflected the blows. Their advance was relentless, their formations unbroken. The enemy, expecting a lengthy siege, was surprised. The King's soldiers, though attacking, suffered minimal losses. They seemed to anticipate every counter-attack, their movements a dance of defense and offense. When they reached the enemy’s fortress, they didn't merely assault the walls. Instead, they surrounded it, establishing a fortified position of their own. From this vantage, they controlled the flow of supplies and kept the enemy pinned. Days turned into weeks. The enemy’s spirit waned, trapped within their own defenses. The King's army, though stationary, was as unyielding as the mountains. Eventually, the fortress surrendered, realizing the futility of resistance.