Kural 547Chapter 55: The Right Sceptre

Thirukkural 547 in English

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

Tamil original

இறைகாக்கும் வையகம் எல்லாம் அவனை
முறைகாக்கும் முட்டாச் செயின்.

Transliteration

Iraikaakkum Vaiyakam Ellaam Avanai
Muraikaakkum Muttaach Cheyin

Modern English

“A ruler protects people, but justice also protects the ruler from losing their trust.”

Modern Interpretation

A ruler protects people, but justice also protects the ruler from losing their trust. For example, a club leader who applies the same rules to friends and strangers is less likely to face conflict or rebellion.

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Tamil pronunciation

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Modern Plain English

A ruler protects people, but justice also protects the ruler from losing their trust.

Poetic Couplet (Bharati)

The king protects the entire earth And justice protects his royal worth

G.U. Pope Translation

The king all the whole realm of earth protects;And justice guards the king who right respects

Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)

The king defends the whole world; and justice, when administered without defect, defends the king

Tamil commentary

ஆட்சியாளர் பூமியைக் காப்பர்; அவரையோ அவரது குறையற்ற நேர்மையான ஆட்சி காக்கும்.

Chapter 55

More from The Right Sceptre

செங்கோன்மை

Read all 10 Kurals →

Kural 541

Test and attest impartially Consult and act the laws justly

Kural 542

The earth looks up to sky and thrives And mankind to king's rod of justice

Kural 543

The Sage's scripture and virtue spring From the sceptre of a stately king

Kural 544

The world clings to the ruler's feet Whose sceptre clasps the people's heart

Kural 545

Full rains and yields enrich the land Which is ruled by a righteous hand

Kural 546

Not the spear but the sceptre straight That brings success to monarch's might

Kural 547

The king protects the entire earth And justice protects his royal worth

Kural 548

Hard of access, the unjust king He shall himself his ruin bring

Kural 549

Save his subjects and chide the wrong Is flawless duty of a king

Kural 550

Killing killers, the king, behold Weeds removes from cropful field