Tirukkural Chapter 50 - Couplets 1,2,3 Poem by Rajaram Ramachandran

-திருக்குறள் -TIRUKKURAL
அதிகாரம் 50 - இடன் அறிதல்.
CHAPTER 50 - KNOWING THE PLACE.
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50/01. தொடங்கற்க எவ்வினையும் எள்ளற்க முற்றும்
இடம்கண்ட பின்அல் லது.

50/01. Thodangkarrka evvinaiyum ellarrkka mutrrum
Idamkannda pinal ladhu.

50/01. Don't start fighting until you find a suitable place.
Till then don't criticize enemy as a weakling.
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Deepa: Besides time, place also one should select
For a successful mission.

Nandini: A King is advised not to fight
Until he finds a good place for it,
In the meantime, he must not
Say his enemy, for a fight, is unfit.

If the area is mountainous
Horses or elephants
Cannot climb up easily
And will get tired physically.

He must select plains
Where his enemies
Can be easily seen
From his distant line.
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50/02. முரண்சேர்ந்த மொய்ம்பி வைர்க்கும் அரண்சேர்ந்தாம்
ஆக்கம் பலவும் தரும்.

50/02. Murannserndha moimbi vairkkum arannserndhaam
Aakkam palavum tharum.

50/02. For a King of great valor and power,
His fortress will give him support with many advantages.
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Deepa: A fortress is always necessary for Kings safety.

Nandini: A strong King he may be,
Yet, for purpose of his safety
There's no harm if he has
A well protected fortress.

A fortress with wide deep moat,
Keeps its access more difficult,
Besides its stubborn doorways
And all-side-boundary-walls.

It gives him good protection,
From enemies' close position,
And from the top of walls
He can shoot the enemies.
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50/03. ஆற்றாரும் ஆற்றி அடுப இடன்அறிந்து
போற்றார்கண் போற்றிச் செயின்.

50/03. Atrraarum atrri aduba idanarrindhu
Potrraarkann potrrich cheyin.

50/03. Knowing the enemy's position and safeguarding himself
Even a weak King can go strong and win.
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Deepa: If a King is wise to know his enemy' position
And keep his position safe, he can win the battle.

Nandini: That is more important
To know enemy's placement,
Besides his own safe position
For a King finally to win.

Even if his position is weak,
If he makes a surprise attack
He can easily win the enemy
With a small force of army.

In a strategic warfare,
A King easily takeover,
Using his full force,
Without enemies' notice.
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