Kural #775
Last reviewed:
Tamil text
விழித்தகண் வேல்கொண் டெறியார்
அழித்திமைப்பின் ஒட்டன்றோ வன்க ணவர்க்கு
Viḻittakaṇ vēlkoṇ ṭeṟiyār
Aḻittimaippiṉ oṭṭaṉṟō vaṉka ṇavarkku
English translation
The valiant will not hurl spears at those whose eyes are open; to strike when they blink would be defeat for the brave.
Listen
Explanation
True warriors have a code of honor: they will not attack when an enemy's guard is down (அழித்து இமைப்பின் - when blinking/eyes closed). Such an act would be shameful defeat (ஒட்டு) for the brave.
விளக்கம்
படைச் செருக்கு அதிகாரத்தில், வீரமுடையவர் எதிரியின் கண்ணை விழித்திருக்கும்போது வேல் எறியமாட்டார். கண் இமைக்கும்போது தாக்குவது கோழைத்தனம்; அது வீரனுக்கு தோல்வி. எதிரியையும் மதிக்கணும் என்பதே நீதி.
Word meanings
- விழித்தviḻittaopened/watchful
- கண்kaṇeyes
- வேல்vēlspear
- கொண்டுkoṇṭutaking
- எறியார்eṟiyārwill not hurl
- அழித்துaḻittuclosing
- இமைப்பின்imaippiṉif blinking
- ஒட்டுoṭṭudefeat
- அன்றோaṉṟōis it not
- வன்கணவர்vaṉkaṇavarthe brave
Story behind this kural
In a valley nestled between towering peaks, lived two rival clans. Their elders, weary of constant skirmishes, decided upon a trial of single combat to settle their disputes. From each clan, a champion emerged. The first, a burly warrior named Arul, brandished a fearsome axe. His opponent, Kumar, was known for his swiftness, armed with only a slender spear. They circled each other, eyes locked, the crowd silent. Arul feigned a lunge, forcing Kumar to parry. In that instant, a speck of dust blew into Kumar's eye. He blinked, momentarily blinded. Arul, seeing his chance, raised his axe. But then, he paused. He lowered the weapon. "A warrior does not strike a blinded foe," Arul declared, sheathing his axe. Kumar, recovering his sight, lowered his spear in respect. The elders, witnessing this act, declared a truce. From that day on, peace settled upon the valley.