Thirukkural 778 in English

Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.

Tamil original

உறின்உயிர் அஞ்சா மறவர் இறைவன்
செறினும் சீர்குன்றல் இலர்.

Transliteration

Urinuyir Anjaa Maravar Iraivan
Serinum Seerkundral Ilar

English Translation

“The king may chide, they pursue strife; They fear loss of glory; not life”

Plain-English meaning

The heroes who are not afraid of losing their life in a contest will not cool their ardour, even if the king prohibits (their fighting)

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

The king may chide, they pursue strife; They fear loss of glory; not life

G.U. Pope Translation

Fearless they rush where'er 'the tide of battle rolls';The king's reproof damps not the ardour of their eager souls

Plain-English Meaning

The heroes who are not afraid of losing their life in a contest will not cool their ardour, even if the king prohibits (their fighting)

போர் வந்தால் தம் உயிர்க்கு அஞ்சாது செல்லும் வீரர், அப்போரை வேண்டா என்று அரசு சினந்து தடுத்தாலும், தம் வீரத்தில் குறைய மாட்டார்.

Chapter 78

படைச் செருக்கு

Stand not before my chief, O foes! Many who stood, in stones repose

To lift a lance that missed a tusker Is prouder than shaft that hit a hare

Valour is fight with fierce courage Mercy to the fallen is its edge

At the tusker he flings his lance One in body smiles another chance

When lances dart if heroes wink \"It is a rout\" the world will think

The brave shall deem the days as vain Which did not battle-wounds sustain

Their anklets aloud jingle their name Who sacrifice their life for fame

The king may chide, they pursue strife; They fear loss of glory; not life

Who will blame the heroes that lose Their lives in war to keep their vows?

Such a death shall be prayed for Which draws the the tears of the ruler