Kural #770
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Tamil text
எல்லிற்றொர் தங்குதற் பேதைதாய் மூன்றுஅனாள்
அல்லொழிய மாற்றார்க் கடன்
Elliṟṟor taṅkutaṟ pētaitāy mūṉdruaṉāḷ
Alloḻiya māṟṟārk kaṭaṉ
English translation
To encamp near the enemy for three days is folly; armies must either fight or withdraw.
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Explanation
Prolonged encampment within striking distance of hostile forces without engaging is strategic incompetence—decisive action demands either immediate battle or tactical retreat within three days.
விளக்கம்
பகைவர் அருகில் மூன்று நாள் பாடி இறங்குவது முட்டாள்தனம். படைமாட்சி அதிகாரப்படி, போர் செய்யணும், இல்லன்னா பின்வாங்கணும். தாமதிச்சா பகைவர்க்கு சாதகமாகும். உடனடி முடிவு முக்கியம்.
Word meanings
- எல்லில்ellilnear enemies
- தொர்tora place
- தங்குதல்taṅkutalstaying/camping
- பேதைpētaifolly/foolishness
- தாய்tāyindeed
- மூன்றுmūṉdruthree
- நாள்nāḷdays
- அல்alor
- ஒழியoḻiyadepart/withdraw
- மாற்றார்க்குmāṟṟārkkufor enemies
- அடன்aṭaṉduty/must
Story behind this kural
The King's army, vast and well-equipped, marched to the border. Scouts reported the enemy just beyond the valley. The King, eager for victory, ordered a halt. For two days, they sat, their tents a vibrant splash against the green hills. Soldiers sharpened swords, cooks prepared meals, and the King, in his gilded tent, debated the best course of action. On the third day, a messenger arrived, pale and breathless. "The enemy has grown in strength, your Majesty! They've received reinforcements and are now preparing an ambush!" The King, startled, realized his indecision had given the enemy time to gather and plan. He immediately commanded a retreat, but the damage was done. The enemy, emboldened by their delay, attacked. The King's army, caught off guard, suffered heavy losses. The King escaped with his life, but his chance for a swift victory was lost due to inaction.