Tirukkural Chapter 88 - Couplets 4,5,6 Poem by Rajaram Ramachandran

திருக்குறள் -TIRUKKURAL
அதிகாரம் 88 - பகைத்திறம் தெரிதல்.
CHAPTER 88 - KNOWING ENEMIES' STRENGTH
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88/04. பகைநட்பாக் கொண்டொழுகும் பண்புடை யாளன்
தகைமைக்கண் தங்கிற்று உலகு.

88/04. Pagainatpaak kondozhugum pannpudai yaallan
Thagaimaikkann thangitrru ulagu.

88/04. The good of the world rests on one,
with a broad mind, for making his enemy as a friend.
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Jignesh: It is good that he goes for a compromise
and making his enemy as a friend.

Mangal: If everyone in the world,
Makes enemy as a friend,
All enemies will disappear,
And only friends will appear.

How nice the world will be then?
No wars, no guns, no solders
But only friends none else
In the absence of enemies.

Perhaps in a dream this happens,
Not in the actual practice,
But sky high is our aim;
Will it happen at any time?
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88/05. தன்றுணை இன்றால்; பகையிரண்டால்; தான்ஒருவன்
இன்றுணையாக் கொள்கவற்றின் ஒன்று.

88/05. Thandrrunnai indrraal; pagaiyirandaal; thaanoruvan
Indrrunnaiyaak kollkavartrrin ondrru.

88/05. If there are two enemies and there is no help from any other source, then one must make friendship with the stronger among the two enemies.
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Jignesh: This is a good idea to make an enemy a friend
At times of need one must do this.

Mangal: These are all war strategy,
One must know thoroughly,
At times of need enemies
Join together as allied forces.

During the war time
Winning is one's aim,
And foes become friends
To fight their common foes.

During World War II
An allied force was formed
To fight their common enemies
And they finally won the war.
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88/06. தேறினும் தேறா விடினும் அழிவின்கண்
தேறான் பகாஅன் விடல்.

88/06. Therrinum therraa vidinum azhivinkann
Therraan paghaan vidal.

88/06. If one believes or not about his enemy, he must not think
that he'll decide to join his enemy or not at the time of losing the war.
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Jignesh: In war, one must decide then and there
and not postpone it for a future date.

Mangal: After many losses of lives
Arms and ammunitions,
If one wants to make his enemies
As his friends, it is his madness.

Had he taken this decision
Before the war began
He could have saved
Properties and deaths avoided.

It requires more experience
And war strategic plans
To fight and win any war
Otherwise, he'll lose the war.
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