Kural #772
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Tamil text
கான முயலெய்த அம்பினில்
யானை பிழைத்தவேல் ஏந்தல் இனிது
Kāṉa muyaleyta ampiṉil
Yāṉai piḻaittavēl ēntal iṉitu
English translation
It is sweeter to hold a spear that missed an elephant than an arrow that struck a forest hare.
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Explanation
A warrior prefers honorable failure against a worthy foe to easy victory over a weak one. Missing an elephant (யானை பிழைத்த வேல்) shows greater valor than killing a rabbit (முயல் எய்த அம்பு).
விளக்கம்
யானையை வீழ்த்தத் தவறிய வேல், முயலை வீழ்த்திய அம்பை விட மேலானது. படைச்செருக்கு அதிகாரத்தில் வீரம் முக்கியம். சிறிய இலக்கை எளிதில் வெல்வதை விட, பெரிய இலக்கை நோக்கி முயற்சிப்பதே பெருமை. தோல்வியிலும் மன உறுதி வேண்டும்.
Word meanings
- கானkāṉaforest
- முயல்muyalhare/rabbit
- எய்தeytathat struck
- அம்பினில்ampiṉilthan the arrow
- யானைyāṉaielephant
- பிழைத்தpiḻaittathat missed
- வேல்vēlspear
- ஏந்தல்ēntalholding
- இனிதுiṉituis sweet
Story behind this kural
In a small village nestled beside a vast forest, lived two hunters, Arun and Bala. Arun was known for his swiftness, always returning with a full bag of rabbits and hares. Bala, however, often came home empty-handed, his spear having missed boars and even the occasional deer. One day, the King announced a competition. The hunter who brought the largest beast would be rewarded. Arun, confident, set off, his arrows ready. Bala, despite his usual failures, also ventured forth, his spear heavy in his hand. Arun quickly found a plump rabbit and brought it down with ease, certain of victory. Bala, after hours of tracking, came face to face with a wild boar. He threw his spear, missing its mark. The boar, unfazed, disappeared into the forest. At the competition, Arun presented his rabbit, expecting praise. But the King, seeing Bala's empty hands, asked, "Did you find nothing, Bala?" Bala recounted his day, the boar, the missed throw. The King smiled, and declared Bala the victor, praising his courage in facing a worthy opponent.