Kural 383Chapter 39: The Greatness of a King

Thirukkural 383 in English

Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.

Tamil original

தூங்காமை கல்வி துணிவுடைமை இம்மூன்றும்
நீங்கா நிலனான் பவர்க்கு.

Transliteration

Thoongaamai Kalvi Thunivutaimai Immoondrum
Neengaa Nilanaan Pavarkku

Modern English

“Anyone responsible for a country or community should stay alert, keep learning, and act with courage.”

Modern Interpretation

Anyone responsible for a country or community should stay alert, keep learning, and act with courage. For example, a manager who notices problems early, studies the facts, and makes a fair decision can protect the whole team.

Listen

Tamil pronunciation

Speed

Compare translations

Modern Plain English

Anyone responsible for a country or community should stay alert, keep learning, and act with courage.

Poetic Couplet (Bharati)

Alertness, learning bravery Are adjuncts three of monarchy

G.U. Pope Translation

A sleepless promptitude, knowledge, decision strong:These three for aye to rulers of the land belong

Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)

These three things, viz, vigilance, learning, and bravery, should never be wanting in the ruler of a country

Tamil commentary

செயல் ஆற்றுவதில் சோர்வு இல்லாமை, அனைத்தையும் அறியும் கல்வி, தீயவை எதிர்த்தாலும் நல்லன செய்வதற்கு ஏற்ற துணிவு இம்மூன்றும் நாட்டை ஆளுவோரை விட்டு விலகக்கூடாது.

Chapter 39

More from The Greatness of a King

இறைமாட்சி

Read all 10 Kurals →

Kural 381

People, troops, wealth, forts, council, friends Who owns these six is lion of kings

Kural 382

Courage, giving, knowledge and zeal Are four failless features royal

Kural 383

Alertness, learning bravery Are adjuncts three of monarchy

Kural 384

A brave noble king refrains from vice Full of virtue and enterprise

Kural 385

The able king gets, stores and guards And spends them for people's safeguards

Kural 386

That land prospers where the king is Easy to see, not harsh of words

Kural 387

The world commends and acts his phrase Who sweetly speaks and gives with grace

Kural 388

He is the Lord of men who does Sound justice and saves his race

Kural 389

Under his shelter thrives the world Who bears remarks bitter and bold

Kural 390

He is the Light of Kings who has Bounty, justice, care and grace