The Valour Of The Army (By St. Thiruvalluvar) Poem by Rajendran Muthiah

771.Stand not before my war-lord, you foes! Whoever
Dared to withstand my leader, now stand as gravestones!
772.Better the lance that aims at an elephant but fails
Than the arrow which hits and slays the forest hare!
773.“Heroic greatness is bravery in war”, the wise say.
Kindness to the hurt foes gives an edge to that bravery.
774.Hurling the dart in hand at the elephant, he comes back
Seeking arms and laughs plucking the dart off his chest.
775.If his fierce eyes wink at the lances hurled by the foes,
Isn’t it a shameful defeat to a valiant hero?
776.A warrior counts the days of geting no grievous wounds
And sets them down in the list of vain days.
777.Seeking renown that spreads around this world, the warriors
Risk their lives wearing the heroic anklets as ornaments.
778.The warriors have no fear for lives in wars.
Their valour shrinks not for the king saying words harsh.
779.Is there anyone to reproach for their faults
When they die in war to fulfill their sworn vows?
780.To well up the guarding king’s eyes in tears
The heros find it worthy even to beg for death in wars.