Tirukkural Chapter 78 - Couplets 4,5,6 Poem by Rajaram Ramachandran

திருக்குறள் -TIRUKKURAL
அதிகாரம் 78 - படைச்செருக்கு.
CHAPTER 78 - PRIDE OF THE ARMY
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78/04. கைவேல் களிற்றொடு போக்கி வருபவன்
மெய்வேல் பறியா நகும்.

78/04. Kaivel kallrrodu pokki varubhavan
Meivel parriyaa nagum.

78/04. A warrior threw his spear on an attacking elephant
and pulled out happily another spear from his chest
To throw it on one more elephant that came to attack him.
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Giridhar: How brave the warrior was to pull from his chest
A spear to throw it on another attacking elephant.

Laxman: He's really a brave man
To do such a fearless action,
And if there was any other person
He would have run away from the scene.

Such brave men existed in the past,
When they went for fight,
For their life, they never cared,
But each fought with a daring mind.

If the spear pierced his chest,
It is a warrior's proud death.
If it pierced his back side,
It is his cowardly death.
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78/05. விழித்தகண் வேல்கொண்டு எறிய அழித்திமைப்பின்
ஒட்டன்றோ வன்க ணவர்க்கு.

78/05. Vizhiththakann velkondu erriya; azhiththimaippin
Ottanrro vanka navarkku.

78/05. When he saw with open eyes an enemy's spear
but if he wink at it when it comes, it is a sign of defeat for him.
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Giridhar: With his one wink, the spear will pierce his heart.
So fast the spear comes and he can't even wink his eyes then.

Laxman: A fight in a battle field,
One can't remain blind,
But he must with open eyes,
Watch for flying weapons.

Anytime his death is near,
Though he fights with no fear,
His one slip, he'll be no more,
So, he must take more care.

With keen watchful eyes
He must fight enemies
Who are equally strong
So, he must not go wrong.
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78/06. விழுப்புண் படாதநாள் எல்லாம் வழுக்கினுள்
வைக்கும்தன் நாளை எடுத்து.

78/06. Vizhuppunn padaadhanaall ellaam vazhukkinull
Vaikkumthan naallai eduththu.

78/06. A warrior looking at his past when he had wounds on his face and chest now he regrets there are no wounds and is wasting his days.
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Giridhar: A warrior feels proud of his wounds
On his face and chest and regrets for wasting his days
Without any further wounds.

Laxman: One will not go again to war
When he's wounded with scars
But here is one warrior with scars
But he wants to go to war.

What a surprise a warrior gives,
In those bygone olden days,
He wants die a warrior's death
Before leaving this earth.

So, no retirement for warriors,
Of those memorable days,
Fighting was in their blood.
They fought till their end.
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