Chapter 74: The Land

தள்ளா விளையுளும் தக்காரும் தாழ்விலாச்
செல்வரும் சேர்வது நாடு.

Thallaa Vilaiyulum Thakkaarum Thaazhvilaach
Chelvarum Servadhu Naatu

It's country which has souls of worth Unfailing yields and ample wealth

Meaning: A kingdom is that in which (those who carry on) a complete cultivation, virtuous persons, and

பெரும்பொருளால் பெட்டக்க தாகி அருங்கேட்டால்
ஆற்ற விளைவது நாடு.

Perumporulaal Pettakka Thaaki Arungettaal
Aatra Vilaivadhu Naatu

The Land has large luring treasure Where pests are nil and yields are sure

Meaning: A kingdom is that which is desire for its immense wealth, and which grows greatly in prosperity, being free from destructive causes

பொறையொருங்கு மேல்வருங்கால் தாங்கி இறைவற்கு
இறையொருங்கு நேர்வது நாடு.

Poraiyorungu Melvarungaal Thaangi Iraivarku
Iraiyorungu Nervadhu Naatu

It's land that bears pressing burdens And pays its tax which king demands

Meaning: A kingdom is that which can bear any burden that may be pressed on it (from adjoining kingdoms) and (yet) pay the full tribute to its sovereign

உறுபசியும் ஓவாப் பிணியும் செறுபகையும்
சேரா தியல்வது நாடு.

Urupasiyum Ovaap Piniyum Serupakaiyum
Seraa Thiyalvadhu Naatu

It is country which is free from Fierce famine, plague and foemen's harm

Meaning: A kingdom is that which continues to be free from excessive starvation, irremediable epidemics, and destructive foes

பல்குழுவும் பாழ்செய்யும் உட்பகையும் வேந்தலைக்கும்
கொல்குறும்பும் இல்லது நாடு.

Palkuzhuvum Paazhseyyum Utpakaiyum Vendhalaikkum
Kolkurumpum Illadhu Naatu

Sects and ruinous foes are nil No traitors in a land tranquil

Meaning: A kingdom is that which is without various (irregular) associations, destructive internal enemies, and murderous savages who (sometimes) harass the sovereign

கேடறியாக் கெட்ட இடத்தும் வளங்குன்றா
நாடென்ப நாட்டின் தலை.

Ketariyaak Ketta Itaththum Valangundraa
Naatenpa Naattin Thalai

The land of lands no ruin knows Even in grief its wealth yet grows

Meaning: The learned say that the best kingdom is that which knows no evil (from its foes), and, if injured (at all), suffers no diminution in its fruitfulness

இருபுனலும் வாய்ந்த மலையும் வருபுனலும்
வல்லரணும் நாட்டிற்கு உறுப்பு.

Irupunalum Vaaindha Malaiyum Varupunalum
Vallaranum Naattirku Uruppu

Waters up and down, hills and streams With strong forts as limbs country beams

Meaning: The constituents of a kingdom are the two waters (from above and below), well situated hills and an undestructible fort

பிணியின்மை செல்வம் விளைவின்பம் ஏமம்
அணியென்ப நாட்டிவ் வைந்து.

Piniyinmai Selvam Vilaivinpam Emam
Aniyenpa Naattiv Vaindhu

Rich yield, delight, defence and wealth Are jewels of lands with blooming health

Meaning: Freedom from epidemics, wealth, produce, happiness and protection (to subjects); these five, the learned, say, are the ornaments of a kingdom

நாடென்ப நாடா வளத்தன நாடல்ல
நாட வளந்தரு நாடு.

Naatenpa Naataa Valaththana Naatalla
Naata Valandharu Naatu

A land is land which yields unsought Needing hard work the land is nought

Meaning: The learned say that those are kingdom whose wealth is not laboured for, and those not, whose wealth is only obtained through labour

ஆங்கமை வெய்தியக் கண்ணும் பயமின்றே
வேந்தமை வில்லாத நாடு.

Aangamai Veydhiyak Kannum Payamindre
Vendhamai Villaadha Naatu

Though a land has thus every thing It is worthless without a king

Meaning: Although in possession of all the above mentioned excellences, these are indeed of no use to a country, in the absence of harmony between the sovereign and the sujects