Tirukkural Chapter 50 - Couplets 4,5,6 Poem by Rajaram Ramachandran

-திருக்குறள் -TIRUKKURAL
அதிகாரம் 50 - இடன் அறிதல்.
CHAPTER 50 - KNOWING THE PLACE.
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50/04. எண்ணியார் எண்ணம் இழப்பர் இடன்அறிந்து
துன்னியார் துன்னிச் செயின்.

50/04. Enniyaar ennam izhappar idanarrindhu
Thunniyaar thunnich cheyin.

50/04. A King having found a suitable site, he must not leave that place,
Then his enemy will drop the idea of fighting.
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Deepa: If the King selects a strategic place
He should not leave that place.

Nandini: Strategy is more important
Besides the suitable site
Where he can fight
The enemies straight.

If the site doesn't suit
The enemy for a fight
Then half the war is won
And the King will finally win.

Selection of proper site requires,
King's previous experience,
And once it is selected
His success is well assured.
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50/05. நெடும்புனலுள் வெல்லும் முதலை; அடும்புனலின்
நீங்கின் அதனைப் பிற.

50/05. Nedumpunalull vellum mudhalai; adumpunalin
Neengin adhanaip pirra.

50/05. A crocodile is strong in water and wins its preys easily,
But when it comes to the shore, other animals will kill it.
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Deepa: In water crocodile is strong
But on land it is weak. But a King must not be like that.

Nandini: It is alright with animals.
But a King must select a place
Where he should not face
Defeat at those vantage sites.

A King must fight
Both in selected land site
And also in water spots
Using his strong boats.

He can't be weak on land.
And strong in water,
Like a crocodile weak on land
And strong in water.
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50/06. கடல்ஓடா கால்வல் நெடுந்தேர்; கடல்ஓடும்
நாவாயும் ஓடா நிலத்து.

50/06. Kadaloda kaalval nedunthear; kadalodum
Naavaayum odaa nilaththu.

50/06. A strong wheeled chariot will not go in water.
Nor a boat will run on land.
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Deepa: It is true that there are land animals and sea animals.
Fish will not survive on land or dog will not in water.

Nandini: For everything there is a place,
That one should carefully trace,
For survival in this world,
That site may be hot or cold.

It may be a desert or icy land
Cold zone and hot land
Life goes on in every place
Where one has no choice.

The adaptability in a place
The Nature itself dictates
And people adjust themselves
Within the zone of their births.
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