Thirukkural 689 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
விடுமாற்றம் வேந்தர்க்கு உரைப்பான் வடுமாற்றம்
வாய்சேரா வன்கணவன்.
Transliteration
Vitumaatram Vendharkku Uraippaan Vatumaatram
Vaaiseraa Vanka Navan
Modern English
“A messenger must deliver the ruler’s reply without letting fear make them add insulting or damaging words.”
Modern Interpretation
A messenger must deliver the ruler’s reply without letting fear make them add insulting or damaging words. Even under pressure, a spokesperson should repeat the agreed decision accurately.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
A messenger must deliver the ruler’s reply without letting fear make them add insulting or damaging words.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
The envoy who ports the king's message Has flawless words and heart's courage
G.U. Pope Translation
His faltering lips must utter no unworthy thing,Who stands, with steady eye, to speak the mandates of his king
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
He alone is fit to communicate (his sovereign's) reply, who possesses the firmness not to utter even inadvertently what may reflect discredit (on the latter)
Tamil commentary
தம் அரசு சொல்லிவிட்ட செய்தியை அடுத்த அரசிடம் சொல்பவன், அங்கே சந்திக்க நேரும் ஆபத்திற்கு அஞ்சி, வாய் தவறியும் தவறான செய்தியையோ, இழிவான சொற்களையோ சொல்லிவிடாத ஆற்றல் பெற்றவனாக இருக்க வேண்டும்.
Chapter 69
More from The Envoy
தூது
Love, noble birth, good courtesy Pleasing kings mark true embassy
Kural 682Envoys must bear love for their prince Knowledge and learned eloquence
Kural 683Savant among savants, he pleads Before lanced king, triumphant words
Kural 684Who has these three: good form, sense, lore Can act as bold ambassador
Kural 685Not harsh, the envoy's winsome ways Does good by pleasant words concise
Kural 686Learned; fearless, the envoy tends Convincing words which time demands
Kural 687Knowing duty time and place The envoy employs mature phrase
Kural 688The true envoy of three virtues Is pure helpful and bold in views
Kural 689The envoy who ports the king's message Has flawless words and heart's courage
Kural 690Braving death the bold envoy Assures his king's safety and joy