Tirukkural Chapter 59 - Couplets 7,8,9,10 Poem by Rajaram Ramachandran

திருக்குறள் -TIRUKKURAL
அதிகாரம் 59 - ஒற்றாடல்.
CHAPTER 59 - ON SPYING.
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59/07. மறைந்தவை கேட்கவற்று ஆகி அறிந்தவை
ஐயப்பாடு இல்லதே ஒற்று.

59/07, Marraindhavai ketkavatrru aagi arrindhavai
Iyappaadu illadhe otrru.

59/07. A spy is one who is able to tap secret information from others
And find out the truth inside that, without any doubt.
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Devaraj: How a spy taps information?

Mukund: He moves with others
As if their close companions
And slowly taps information
On the various doubtful persons.

From the various sources
Once again he verifies
On the factual details
For its correctness.

Then only he reveals
To the King of the facts
And alert him of dangers,
If any, from his enemies.
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59/08. ஒற்றொற்றித் தந்த பொருளையும் மற்றுமோர்
ஒற்றினால் ஒற்றிக் கொளல்.

59/08. Otrrotrrith thantha porullaiyum matrrumore
Otrrinaal otrrik kollal.

59/08. What one spy told must be verified by the King by sending another spy to the same spot and if both versions are the same, then he should believe it is true.
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Devaraj: Why two persons are sent to spy on the same spot?

Mukund: Sometime truth get distorted
When handled by two spies deputed
To the same spot separately
So it must be verified secretly.

If both of them are telling,
With no change, the same thing,
Then it's taken by the King
As a correct finding.

If not, he checks up again
Thro' another person
Until the facts are known
Without any distortion.
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59/09. ஒற்றொற்று உணராமை ஆள்க; உடன்மூவர்
சொல்தொக்க தேறப் படும்.

59/09. Otrrotrru unnaraamai aallga; udanmoovar
Solthokka therrap padum

59/09. Send a spy not known to another spy. Like that send three spies
And verify them independently. If all the three versions are the same
Then know that it is the fact.
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Devaraj: This time three spies are sent to the same spot
At different timings to bring the fact.

Mukund: A King must be cautions
Before taking serious actions,
As he'll cut a sorry figure,
If in one version there's an error.

So, to be more cautious,
Three times he checks
To make sure that nothing,
In his steps, will go wrong

The role of a spy is,
Given more importance
As he's the backbone
Behind every action taken.
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59/10. சிறப்பறிய ஒற்றிங்கண் செய்யற்க; செய்யின்
புறப்படுத்தான் ஆகும் மறை.

59/10. Siraparriya otrringkann seiyarrkka; seiyin
Purrappaduththaan aagum marrai.

59/10. When awarding spy a King should not do in the presence of others,
As it would mean that he himself is revealing the secrets.
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Devaraj: A King should not expose the spy in the presence of others
By praising or awarding him for a particular work.

Mukund: Yes, if a King does like that
He's exposing not only the secret
But also the spy who brought it,
While giving him an award for it.

That spy cannot go again
As people have seen
And will recognize him
As a spy every time.

The spy's identification,
Must be a secret one,
Known to King alone,
Outside he's a common man.
***