Thirukkural 761 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
உறுப்பமைந்து ஊறஞ்சா வெல்படை வேந்தன்
வெறுக்கையுள் எல்லாம் தலை.
Transliteration
Uruppamaindhu Ooranjaa Velpatai Vendhan
Verukkaiyul Ellaam Thalai
Modern English
“A ruler's greatest resource is a complete, disciplined force that can face danger without losing courage.”
Modern Interpretation
A ruler's greatest resource is a complete, disciplined force that can face danger without losing courage. Strength depends on readiness, not just numbers. For example, an emergency team is valuable when it has the right skills, equipment, and calm people ready to act.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
A ruler's greatest resource is a complete, disciplined force that can face danger without losing courage.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
The daring well-armed winning force Is king's treasure and main resource
G.U. Pope Translation
A conquering host, complete in all its limbs, that fears no wound,Mid treasures of the king is chiefest found
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
The army which is complete in (its) parts and conquers without fear of wounds is the chief wealth of the king
Tamil commentary
தரைப்படை, கப்பல் படை, விமானப்படை, காவல்துறை என நாட்டைக் காப்போர் பிரிவினால் நிறைந்து, போர்க்களத்தில் புண்பட அஞ்சாது, பகைவரை வெல்லும் படையே ஆட்சியாளரின் செல்வத்துள் எல்லாம் முதன்மையான செல்வம் ஆகும்.
Chapter 77
More from The Excellence of an Army
படை மாட்சி
The daring well-armed winning force Is king's treasure and main resource
Kural 762Through shots and wounds brave heroes hold Quailing not in fall, the field
Kural 763Sea-like ratfoes roar What if? They perish at a cobra's whiff
Kural 764The army guards its genial flame Not crushed, routed nor marred in name
Kural 765The real army with rallied force Resists even Death-God fierce
Kural 766Manly army has merits four:- Stately-march, faith, honour, valour
Kural 767Army sets on to face to foes Knowing how the trend of war goes
Kural 768Army gains force by grand array Lacking in stay or dash in fray
Kural 769Army shall win if it is free From weakness, aversion, poverty
Kural 770With troops in large numbers on rolls Army can't march missing gen'rals