Thirukkural 747 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
முற்றியும் முற்றா தெறிந்தும் அறைப்படுத்தும்
பற்றற் கரியது அரண்.
Transliteration
Mutriyum Mutraa Therindhum Araippatuththum
Patrar Kariyadhu Aran
Modern English
“A strong fort must resist a blockade, a direct assault, and schemes from within.”
Modern Interpretation
A strong fort must resist a blockade, a direct assault, and schemes from within. A well-protected emergency base needs plans for outside attack, prolonged isolation, and betrayal from inside.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
A strong fort must resist a blockade, a direct assault, and schemes from within.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Besieging foes a fort withstands Darts and mines of treacherous hands
G.U. Pope Translation
A fort should be impregnable to foes who gird it round,Or aim there darts from far, or mine beneath the ground
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
A fort is that which cannot be captured by blockading, assaulting, or undermining it
Tamil commentary
முழுவதுமாகச் சூழ்ந்து கொண்டாலும் சூழாமல் வலு இழந்த இடத்தில் நெருங்கிப் போரிட்டாலும் உள்ளிருப்போரில் சிலரை ஐந்தாம் படை ஆக்கினாலும், பகைவரால் கைப்பற்றுவதற்கு அரியதே அரண்.
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