Thirukkural 544 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
குடிதழீஇக் கோலோச்சும் மாநில மன்னன்
அடிதழீஇ நிற்கும் உலகு.
Transliteration
Kutidhazheeik Kolochchum Maanila Mannan
Atidhazheei Nirkum Ulaku
Modern English
“People stand behind a leader who protects them, treats them with care, and governs fairly.”
Modern Interpretation
People stand behind a leader who protects them, treats them with care, and governs fairly. For example, residents are more willing to support a local leader who listens to their concerns and acts for the whole neighborhood.
Listen
Tamil pronunciation
Compare translations
Modern Plain English
People stand behind a leader who protects them, treats them with care, and governs fairly.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
The world clings to the ruler's feet Whose sceptre clasps the people's heart
G.U. Pope Translation
Whose heart embraces subjects all, lord over mighty landWho rules, the world his feet embracing stands
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
The world will constantly embrace the feet of the great king who rules over his subjects with love
Tamil commentary
குடிமக்களை அணைத்துக் கொண்டு, நேர்மையான ஆட்சியை நடத்தும் சிறந்த ஆட்சியாளரின் கால்களைச் சுற்றியே மக்கள் வாழ்வர்.
Chapter 55
More from The Right Sceptre
செங்கோன்மை
Test and attest impartially Consult and act the laws justly
Kural 542The earth looks up to sky and thrives And mankind to king's rod of justice
Kural 543The Sage's scripture and virtue spring From the sceptre of a stately king
Kural 544The world clings to the ruler's feet Whose sceptre clasps the people's heart
Kural 545Full rains and yields enrich the land Which is ruled by a righteous hand
Kural 546Not the spear but the sceptre straight That brings success to monarch's might
Kural 547The king protects the entire earth And justice protects his royal worth
Kural 548Hard of access, the unjust king He shall himself his ruin bring
Kural 549Save his subjects and chide the wrong Is flawless duty of a king
Kural 550Killing killers, the king, behold Weeds removes from cropful field