Thirukkural 768 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
அடல்தகையும் ஆற்றலும் இல்லெனினும் தானை
படைத்தகையால் பாடு பெறும்.
Transliteration
Ataldhakaiyum Aatralum Illeninum Thaanai
Pataiththakaiyaal Paatu Perum
English Translation
“Army gains force by grand array Lacking in stay or dash in fray”
Plain-English meaning
Though destitute of courage to fight and strength (to endure), an army may yet gain renown by the splendour of its appearance
Listen
Tamil pronunciation
Compare translations
English Translation
Army gains force by grand array Lacking in stay or dash in fray
G.U. Pope Translation
Though not in war offensive or defensive skilled;An army gains applause when well equipped and drilled
Plain-English Meaning
Though destitute of courage to fight and strength (to endure), an army may yet gain renown by the splendour of its appearance
Tamil commentary
பகைவர் மேல் சென்று வெல்லும் வீரமும், பகைவர் வந்தால் தடுக்கும் பயிற்சியும் ஆற்றலும் படைக்கு இல்லை என்றாலும், அது தன் கட்டுப்பாடான அணிவகுப்பின் காட்சி அழகால் பெருமை பெறும்.
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