Tirukkural Chapter 49 - Couplets 7,8,9,10 Poem by Rajaram Ramachandran

Tirukkural Chapter 49 - Couplets 7,8,9,10

திருக்குறள் -TIRUKKURAL
அதிகாரம் 49 - காலம் அறிதல்
CHAPTER 49 - KNOWING THE TIME
***
49/07. பொள்ளென ஆங்கே புறம்வேரார்; காலம்பார்த்து
உள்வேர்ப்பர் ஒள்ளி யவர்.

49/07. Polllena aangay purramveraar; kaalamparththu
Ullverppar olli yavar.

49/07. When an enemy attacked, a King will keep his anger down
But show it at a proper time to win the enemy.
***
Akhila: There is always a time
For a King to attack his enemy.

Uma: A king must have a plan
To take stock of his position,
On the strength of his army,
Before attacking his enemy.

The time is more essential
For giving a bugle call
To move his entire army
And fight to finish the enemy.

If something happens good
One says it's his good time.
If something happens bad
He says it's his bad time.

He shifts his blame
On this bad time,
The silent scapegoat,
For his own defeat.
***
49/08. செறுநரைக் காணின் சுமக்க; இறுவரை
காணின் கிழக்காம் தலை.

49/08. Serrunaraik kaannin sumakka; irruvarai
Kaannin kizhakkaam thalai.

49/08. Let the King bow before his enemy
Until time comes when his enemy bows down.
***
Akhila: A King cannot fight until he gains time
To strengthen his force to defeat his enemy.

Uma: True, if the enemy is strong,
To fight with him is wrong.
The weaker King must wait
And strengthen his army to fight.

There is no prestige involved
As many lives are in King's hand,
And they may die if unprepared
To fight in the battle field.

He should lie low
Until proper time comes
Till then he must bow
To save many lives.
***
49/09. எய்தற்கு அரியது இயைந்தக்கால் அந்நிலையே
செய்தற்கு அரிய செயல்.

49/09. Eidharkku ariyadhu iyaindhakkaal annilaiyae
Seidharkku ariya seyal.

49/09. When good time comes to receive benefits
At that time one should finish doing difficult actions.
***
Akhila: One can easily find what his good time is?

Uma: When one gets good benefits
He can assume it is his good time.
At that time it'll be easy for him
To finish his difficult jobs.

Whatever it may be for one
It's the best effort taken
That counts for his success
And time supports his efforts.

Time is not doing one's work
But time makes one work
So, do not shift the blame
On good or bad time.
***
49/10. கொக்கொக்க கூம்பும் பருவத்து; மற்றதன்
குத்தொக்க சீர்த்த இடத்து.

49/10. Kokkokka koombum paruvaththu; matrradhan
Kuththokka seerththa idaththu.

49/10. A crane will stand on its legs with a fading look
And when time comes it catches its fish; like that one should act without fail.
***
Akhila: Crane catching a fish is a good example for one.

Uma: Like that there are many animals.
A crocodile closes its eyes
And suddenly jumps on its prey
As its feed for the day.

Time "Ticks, Ticks" in a clock
It runs fast not caring to look
With its second and minute hands
At anyone watching its movements.

Time cannot be seen with eyes,
But the same a clock shows
With its short and long hands
What exactly the time means?
***

Monday, September 12, 2016
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Rajaram Ramachandran

Rajaram Ramachandran

Chennai born, now at Juhu, Mumbai, India
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