Thirukkural 381 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
படைகுடி கூழ்அமைச்சு நட்பரண் ஆறும்
உடையான் அரசருள் ஏறு.
Transliteration
Pataikuti Koozhamaichchu Natparan Aarum
Utaiyaan Arasarul Eru
Modern English
“A strong ruler needs six supports: capable defenders, loyal people, sufficient resources, wise advisers, dependable allies, and secure protection.”
Modern Interpretation
A strong ruler needs six supports: capable defenders, loyal people, sufficient resources, wise advisers, dependable allies, and secure protection. For example, a community leader needs a skilled team, public trust, a workable budget, partners, and a plan for emergencies.
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Modern Plain English
A strong ruler needs six supports: capable defenders, loyal people, sufficient resources, wise advisers, dependable allies, and secure protection.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
People, troops, wealth, forts, council, friends Who owns these six is lion of kings
G.U. Pope Translation
An army, people, wealth, a minister, friends, fort: six things-Who owns them all, a lion lives amid the kings
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
He who possesses these six things, an army, a people, wealth, ministers, friends and a fortress, is a lion among kings
Tamil commentary
வீரம் மிக்க படை, நாட்டுப்பற்று மிக்க மக்கள், எடுக்கக் குறையாத செல்வம், நாட்டின் நலம் அறிந்து செயல்படும் அமைச்சர், துன்பத்தில் உதவும் அண்டை மாநில நட்பு, அழிக்கமுடியாத காவல் ஆறும் உடையதே அரசுகளில் சிங்கம் போன்றது.
Chapter 39
More from The Greatness of a King
இறைமாட்சி
People, troops, wealth, forts, council, friends Who owns these six is lion of kings
Kural 382Courage, giving, knowledge and zeal Are four failless features royal
Kural 383Alertness, learning bravery Are adjuncts three of monarchy
Kural 384A brave noble king refrains from vice Full of virtue and enterprise
Kural 385The able king gets, stores and guards And spends them for people's safeguards
Kural 386That land prospers where the king is Easy to see, not harsh of words
Kural 387The world commends and acts his phrase Who sweetly speaks and gives with grace
Kural 388He is the Lord of men who does Sound justice and saves his race
Kural 389Under his shelter thrives the world Who bears remarks bitter and bold
Kural 390He is the Light of Kings who has Bounty, justice, care and grace