Thirukkural 494 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
எண்ணியார் எண்ணம் இழப்பர் இடனறிந்து
துன்னியார் துன்னிச் செயின்.
Transliteration
Enniyaar Ennam Izhappar Itanarindhu
Thunniyaar Thunnich Cheyin
Modern English
“Choosing the right ground and staying committed can overturn a stronger opponent’s plan.”
Modern Interpretation
Choosing the right ground and staying committed can overturn a stronger opponent’s plan. For example, a small team with a clear specialty can make a larger competitor abandon an easy victory.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
Choosing the right ground and staying committed can overturn a stronger opponent’s plan.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
If fighters fight in vantage field The plans of foes shall be baffled
G.U. Pope Translation
The foes who thought to triumph, find their thoughts were vain,If hosts advance, seize vantage ground, and thence the fight maintain
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
If they who draw near (to fight) choose a suitable place to approach (their enemy), the latter, will have to relinquish the thought which they once entertained, of conquering them
Tamil commentary
ஏற்ற இடத்தை அறிந்து அதைச் சூழ்ந்து செயல் செய்வார் என்றால், அவரை வெல்ல எண்ணிய பகைவர். அவ் எண்ணத்தில் தோல்வி அடைவர்.
Chapter 50
More from Knowing the Place
இடனறிதல்
No action take, no foe despise Until you have surveyed the place
Kural 492Many are gains of fortresses Ev'n to kings of power and prowess
Kural 493Weaklings too withstand foe's offence In proper fields of strong defence
Kural 494If fighters fight in vantage field The plans of foes shall be baffled
Kural 495In water crocodile prevails In land before others it fails
Kural 496Sea-going ship goes not on shore Nor on sea the strong-wheeled car
Kural 497No aid but daring dash they need When field is chosen right for deed
Kural 498Though force is small, if place is right One quells a foe of well-armed might
Kural 499To face a foe at home is vain Though fort and status are not fine
Kural 500A fox can kill a war tusker Fearless with feet in deep quagmire