Thirukkural 481 in English

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

Tamil original

பகல்வெல்லும் கூகையைக் காக்கை இகல்வெல்லும்
வேந்தர்க்கு வேண்டும் பொழுது.

Transliteration

Pakalvellum Kookaiyaik Kaakkai Ikalvellum
Vendharkku Ventum Pozhudhu

English Translation

“By day the crow defeats the owl Kings need right time their foes to quell”

Plain-English meaning

A crow will overcome an owl in the day time; so the king who would conquer his enemy must have (a suitable) time

Listen

Tamil pronunciation

Speed

English Translation

By day the crow defeats the owl Kings need right time their foes to quell

G.U. Pope Translation

A crow will conquer owl in broad daylight;The king that foes would crush, needs fitting time to fight

Plain-English Meaning

A crow will overcome an owl in the day time; so the king who would conquer his enemy must have (a suitable) time

தன்னைவிடப் பலமுள்ள கோட்டானைக் காக்கை பகலில் வென்றுவிடும்; ஆகவே பகைவரை வெல்ல எண்ணுபவர்க்கு அதற்கு ஏற்ற காலம் அவசியம்.

Chapter 49

காலமறிதல்

By day the crow defeats the owl Kings need right time their foes to quell

Well-ordered seasoned act is cord That fortune binds in bon accord

What is hard for him who acts With proper means and time and tacts?

Choose proper time and act and place Even the world you win with ease

Who want to win the world sublime Wait unruffled biding their time

By self-restraint stalwarts keep fit Like rams retreating but to butt

The wise jut not their vital fire They watch their time with hidden ire

Bear with hostiles when you meet them Fell down their head in fateful time

When comes the season ripe and rare Dare and do hard things then and there

In waiting time feign peace like stork In fighting time strike like its peck