Thirukkural 742 in English

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

Tamil original

மணிநீரும் மண்ணும் மலையும் அணிநிழற்
காடும் உடைய தரண்.

Transliteration

Manineerum Mannum Malaiyum Aninizhar
Kaatum Utaiya Tharan

English Translation

“A crystal fount, a space a mount Thick woods form a fort paramount”

Plain-English meaning

A fort is that which has everlasting water, plains, mountains and cool shady forests

Listen

Tamil pronunciation

Speed

English Translation

A crystal fount, a space a mount Thick woods form a fort paramount

G.U. Pope Translation

A fort is that which owns fount of waters crystal clear,An open space, a hill, and shade of beauteous forest near

Plain-English Meaning

A fort is that which has everlasting water, plains, mountains and cool shady forests

தெளிந்த நீர், வெட்ட வெளியான நிலம், உயர்ந்த மலை, அடர்ந்த காடு என்னும் இவையே நீர் அரண், நில அரண், மலை அரண், காட்டு அரண் என இயற்கை அரண்களாகும்.

Chapter 75

அரண்

The fort is vital for offence Who fear the foes has its defence

A crystal fount, a space a mount Thick woods form a fort paramount

An ideal fort's so says science: High, broad, strong and hard for access

Ample in space, easy to hold The fort foils enemies bold

Impregnable with stores of food Cosy to live-That fort is good

A fort is full of stores and arms And brave heroes to meet alarms

Besieging foes a fort withstands Darts and mines of treacherous hands

A fort holds itself and defies The attacks of encircling foes

A fort it is that fells the foes And gains by deeds a name glorious

But a fort however grand Is nil if heroes do not stand