Thirukkural 776 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
விழுப்புண் படாதநாள் எல்லாம் வழுக்கினுள்
வைக்கும்தன் நாளை எடுத்து.
Transliteration
Vizhuppun Pataadhanaal Ellaam Vazhukkinul
Vaikkumdhan Naalai Etuththu
Modern English
“The warrior counts days without a battle wound as days that did not fully serve his purpose.”
Modern Interpretation
The warrior counts days without a battle wound as days that did not fully serve his purpose. This reflects the extreme warrior ideal of proving courage through sacrifice. For example, a person devoted to public service may feel that time matters most when it is spent facing real problems rather than seeking comfort.
Listen
Tamil pronunciation
Compare translations
Modern Plain English
The warrior counts days without a battle wound as days that did not fully serve his purpose.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
The brave shall deem the days as vain Which did not battle-wounds sustain
G.U. Pope Translation
The heroes, counting up their days, set down as vainEach day when they no glorious wound sustain
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
The hero will reckon among wasted days all those on which he had not received severe wounds
Tamil commentary
ஒரு வீரன் தன் கடந்த நாள்களை எண்ணி எடுத்து, அவற்றுள் முகத்திலும் மார்பிலும் போரின்போது புண்படாத நாள்களைப் பயனில்லாமல் கழிந்த நாள்களாகக் கருதுவான்
Chapter 78
More from Military Spirit
படைச் செருக்கு
Stand not before my chief, O foes! Many who stood, in stones repose
Kural 772To lift a lance that missed a tusker Is prouder than shaft that hit a hare
Kural 773Valour is fight with fierce courage Mercy to the fallen is its edge
Kural 774At the tusker he flings his lance One in body smiles another chance
Kural 775When lances dart if heroes wink \"It is a rout\" the world will think
Kural 776The brave shall deem the days as vain Which did not battle-wounds sustain
Kural 777Their anklets aloud jingle their name Who sacrifice their life for fame
Kural 778The king may chide, they pursue strife; They fear loss of glory; not life
Kural 779Who will blame the heroes that lose Their lives in war to keep their vows?
Kural 780Such a death shall be prayed for Which draws the the tears of the ruler