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
Modern English
“A strong fort needs clear water, open ground, high terrain, and cool natural cover.”
Modern Interpretation
A strong fort needs clear water, open ground, high terrain, and cool natural cover. A disaster shelter is more dependable when it has clean water, room to move, higher ground, and protection from heat.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
A strong fort needs clear water, open ground, high terrain, and cool natural cover.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
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
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
A fort is that which has everlasting water, plains, mountains and cool shady forests
Tamil commentary
தெளிந்த நீர், வெட்ட வெளியான நிலம், உயர்ந்த மலை, அடர்ந்த காடு என்னும் இவையே நீர் அரண், நில அரண், மலை அரண், காட்டு அரண் என இயற்கை அரண்களாகும்.
Chapter 75
More from The Fortification
அரண்
The fort is vital for offence Who fear the foes has its defence
Kural 742A crystal fount, a space a mount Thick woods form a fort paramount
Kural 743An ideal fort's so says science: High, broad, strong and hard for access
Kural 744Ample in space, easy to hold The fort foils enemies bold
Kural 745Impregnable with stores of food Cosy to live-That fort is good
Kural 746A fort is full of stores and arms And brave heroes to meet alarms
Kural 747Besieging foes a fort withstands Darts and mines of treacherous hands
Kural 748A fort holds itself and defies The attacks of encircling foes
Kural 749A fort it is that fells the foes And gains by deeds a name glorious
Kural 750But a fort however grand Is nil if heroes do not stand