Thirukkural 737 in English

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

Tamil original

இருபுனலும் வாய்ந்த மலையும் வருபுனலும்
வல்லரணும் நாட்டிற்கு உறுப்பு.

Transliteration

Irupunalum Vaaindha Malaiyum Varupunalum
Vallaranum Naattirku Uruppu

English Translation

“Waters up and down, hills and streams With strong forts as limbs country beams”

Plain-English meaning

The constituents of a kingdom are the two waters (from above and below), well situated hills and an undestructible fort

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

Waters up and down, hills and streams With strong forts as limbs country beams

G.U. Pope Translation

Waters from rains and springs, a mountain near, and waters thence;These make a land, with fortress' sure defence

Plain-English Meaning

The constituents of a kingdom are the two waters (from above and below), well situated hills and an undestructible fort

ஆற்றுநீரும், ஊற்றுநீரும் உயரமும் அகலமும் உடைய வாய்ப்பான மலையும், மழை நீரும், அழிக்க முடியாத கோட்டையும் நாட்டிற்குத் தேவையான உறுப்புகளாம்.

Chapter 74

நாடு

It's country which has souls of worth Unfailing yields and ample wealth

The Land has large luring treasure Where pests are nil and yields are sure

It's land that bears pressing burdens And pays its tax which king demands

It is country which is free from Fierce famine, plague and foemen's harm

Sects and ruinous foes are nil No traitors in a land tranquil

The land of lands no ruin knows Even in grief its wealth yet grows

Waters up and down, hills and streams With strong forts as limbs country beams

Rich yield, delight, defence and wealth Are jewels of lands with blooming health

A land is land which yields unsought Needing hard work the land is nought

Though a land has thus every thing It is worthless without a king