Tirukkural Chapter 59 - Couplets 4,5,6 Poem by Rajaram Ramachandran

Tirukkural Chapter 59 - Couplets 4,5,6

திருக்குறள் -TIRUKKURAL
அதிகாரம் 59 - ஒற்றாடல்.
CHAPTER 59 - ON SPYING.
***
59/04. வினைசெய்வார் தம்சுற்றம் வேண்டாதார் என்றாங்கு
அனைவரையும் ஆராய்வது ஒற்று.

59/04. Vinaiseivaar thamsurtram vendaadhaar enrraangu
Anaivaraiyum aarrayindhu otrru.

59/04. A good spy is one who informs a King
About his royal servants, relatives, and enemies
After studying their words and actions.
***
Devaraj: How a spy should be for a King?

Mukund: A spy should be secretive
And be after King's relatives,
His royal palace servants
And his enemy forces.

He must study their words
And also their actions
To report to the King
What they're doing?

A King's safety lies,
In the hands of spies,
If they're not alert
He'll surely meet defeat.
***
59/05. கடாஅ உருவொடு கண்ணஞ்சாது யாண்டும்
உகாஅமை வல்லதே ஒற்று.

59/05. Kadaa uruvodu kannajchaadhu yaanndum
Ugaamai vlladhe otrru.

59/05. A spy should be in perfect disguise, not doubted by others,
And if caught red handed, he must not reveal the truth, even if he is tortured.
***
Devaraj: How a spy should be at the services of a King?

Mukund: He must be in disguise,
That'll create no doubts
And he must inform the King
Everyday what's happening?

If the spy is caught by chance
By the enemy forces
He must not disclose
What all he knows.

Even if he's tortured,
He must keep in mind
As a King's spy his duty
And his country's safety.
***
59/06. துறந்தார் படிவத்தர் ஆகி இறந்தாராய்ந்து
என்செயினும் சோர்விலது ஒற்று.

59/06. Thurrandhaar padivaththar aaghi irrandhaaraaiyindhu
Enseyinum sorviladhu otrru.

59/06. A spy in the disguise of an ascetic gathers information
In dangerous places, but if caught and tortured he must not reveal the truth;
Then he is the real spy.
***
Devaraj: How a spy should behave when he is caught red handed?

Mukund: Even at the point of death
He must not open his mouth
And tell enemies the truth
That'll betray his King's faith.

He may go in ascetic dress,
Or in any other dress,
But he's bound, as a spy,
By an oath of secrecy.

As a trusted servant
He can't reveal any secret
To enemy even at gun point
Against his King's interest.
***

Wednesday, October 5, 2016
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Rajaram Ramachandran

Rajaram Ramachandran

Chennai born, now at Juhu, Mumbai, India
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