Chapter 75: The Fortification

ஆற்று பவர்க்கும் அரண்பொருள் அஞ்சித்தற்
போற்று பவர்க்கும் பொருள்.

Aatru Pavarkkum Aranporul Anjiththar
Potru Pavarkkum Porul

The fort is vital for offence Who fear the foes has its defence

Meaning: A fort is an object of importance to those who march (against their foes) as well as to those who through fear (of pursuers) would seek it for shelter

மணிநீரும் மண்ணும் மலையும் அணிநிழற்
காடும் உடைய தரண்.

Manineerum Mannum Malaiyum Aninizhar
Kaatum Utaiya Tharan

A crystal fount, a space a mount Thick woods form a fort paramount

Meaning: A fort is that which has everlasting water, plains, mountains and cool shady forests

உயர்வகலம் திண்மை அருமைஇந் நான்கின்
அமைவரண் என்றுரைக்கும் நூல்.

Uyarvakalam Thinmai Arumaiin Naankin
Amaivaran Endruraikkum Nool

An ideal fort's so says science: High, broad, strong and hard for access

Meaning: The learned say that a fortress is an enclosure having these four (qualities) viz, height, breadth, strength and inaccessibility

சிறுகாப்பிற் பேரிடத்த தாகி உறுபகை
ஊக்கம் அழிப்ப தரண்.

Sirukaappir Peritaththa Thaaki Urupakai
Ookkam Azhippa Tharan

Ample in space, easy to hold The fort foils enemies bold

Meaning: A fort is that which has an extensive space within, but only small places to be guarded, and such as can destroy the courage of besieging foes

கொளற்கரிதாய்க் கொண்டகூழ்த் தாகி அகத்தார்
நிலைக்கெளிதாம் நீரது அரண்.

Kolarkaridhaaik Kontakoozhth Thaaki Akaththaar
Nilaikkelidhaam Neeradhu Aran

Impregnable with stores of food Cosy to live-That fort is good

Meaning: A fort is that which cannot be captured, which abounds in suitable provisions, and affords a position of easy defence to its inmates

எல்லாப் பொருளும் உடைத்தாய் இடத்துதவும்
நல்லாள் உடையது அரண்.

Ellaap Porulum Utaiththaai Itaththudhavum
Nallaal Utaiyadhu Aran

A fort is full of stores and arms And brave heroes to meet alarms

Meaning: A fort is that which has all (needful) things, and excellent heroes that can help it against destruction (by foes)

முற்றியும் முற்றா தெறிந்தும் அறைப்படுத்தும்
பற்றற் கரியது அரண்.

Mutriyum Mutraa Therindhum Araippatuththum
Patrar Kariyadhu Aran

Besieging foes a fort withstands Darts and mines of treacherous hands

Meaning: A fort is that which cannot be captured by blockading, assaulting, or undermining it

முற்றாற்றி முற்றி யவரையும் பற்றாற்றிப்
பற்றியார் வெல்வது அரண்.

Mutraatri Mutri Yavaraiyum Patraatrip
Patriyaar Velvadhu Aran

A fort holds itself and defies The attacks of encircling foes

Meaning: That is a fort whose inmates are able to overcome without losing their ground, even abler men who have besieged it

முனைமுகத்து மாற்றலர் சாய வினைமுகத்து
வீறெய்தி மாண்ட தரண்.

Munaimukaththu Maatralar Saaya Vinaimukaththu
Veereydhi Maanta Tharan

A fort it is that fells the foes And gains by deeds a name glorious

Meaning: A fort is that which derives excellence from the stratagems made (by its inmates) to defeat their enemies in the battlefield

எனைமாட்சித் தாகியக் கண்ணும் வினைமாட்சி
இல்லார்கண் இல்லது அரண்.

Enaimaatchith Thaakiyak Kannum Vinaimaatchi
Illaarkan Illadhu Aran

But a fort however grand Is nil if heroes do not stand

Meaning: Although a fort may possess all (the above-said) excellence, it is, as it were without these, if its inmates possess not the excellence of action