Tirukkural Chapter 69 - Couplets 7,8,9,10 Poem by Rajaram Ramachandran

திருக்குறள் -TIRUKKURAL
அதிகாரம் 69 - தூது
CHAPTER 69 - MESSENGER
***
69/07. கடன்அறிந்து காலம் கருதி இடன்அறிந்து
எண்ணி உரைப்பான் தலை.

69/07. Kadanarrindhu kaalam karudhi idanarrindhu
Enni uraippaan thalai.

69/07. The procedure to meet the enemy King, his place and time
And the method of conveying the message, all these things
A messenger must think in advance and will do it accordingly.
When he does, he will become first among all the messengers,
***
Balaram: A messenger must have good training on
how to convey a message, at what time, where at and
what is the method of delivery etc.

Gaurav: When he meets enemy King
He must bow his head before him,
And when the King ask him
He must say what for he has come.

He must speak in a low voice,
That must be very courteous,
And he must read from the rolls
What his King's message is?

The enemy king on hearing
May be fretting and fuming
At the hot message delivered,
But he must be calm and kind.
***
69/08. தூய்மை துணைமை துணிவுடைமை இம்மூன்றின்
வாய்மை வழிஉரைப்பான் பண்பு.

69/08. Thooimai thunnaimai thunnivudaimai immoonrrin
Vaimai vazhiuraippaan pannbu

69/08. Morality, loyalty and courage, these three qualifications
are essential for a messenger.
***
Balaram: So many qualifications are prescribed
By the poet in all the couplets for a Messenger.

Gaurav: All these qualifications
Are essential requirements
As the messenger's work
Is not as easy as we think.

He must be diplomatic,
In the field of politics,
In carrying messages carefully
And conveying it politely.

His loyalty is unquestionable,
His morality is most reliable,
His courage is highly appreciable,
As a messenger he is truly dependable.
***
69/09. விடுமாற்றம் வேந்தர்க்கு உரைப்பான் வடுமாற்றம்
வாய்சோரா வன்க ணவன்.

69/09. Vidumaatrram vendharkku uraippaan vadumaatrram
Vaiseraa vanka nnavan.

69/09. To convey his King's message to the enemy King,
not to utter any word that may bring blames to his King
that kind of messenger is a courageous man.
***
Balaram: A messenger must be courageous
And must be able convey his King's message boldly.

Gaurav: A messenger must be bold
In conveying what his King has told
To the enemy King politely
Without pricking his vanity.

His words must not hurt
The enemy King,
Nor affect his King,
That must be his spirit.

A messenger is a messenger,
And not behave like an advisor,
Either to his own King,
Or the enemy King.
***
69/10. இறுதி பயப்பினும் எஞ்சாது இறைவற்கு
உறுதி பயப்பதாம் தூது.

69/10. Irrdhi payappinum enjaadhu irraivarrku
Urrudhi payappadhaam thoodhu.

69/10. Even at the risk of his life without fear
He must tell his King's fame to the enemy King.
***
Balaram: Finally the poet says that a messenger
must not fear for his life but tell the enemy King
about the fame of his King.

Gaurav: If both the Kings give respect,
To a messenger as a diplomat,
His job becomes very light,
Otherwise, it'll not be bright.

His work becomes tough again
If the enemy is like a demon,
He'll struggle in between
The devil and deep sea then.

His King may accuse him
As an undiplomatic messenger.
And the enemy will blame him
As a hostile messenger.
***