PrepMaticThirukkural · பொருட்பால் · அரசியல்
காலமறிதல்: Knowing the fitting Time
About this chapter
காலமறிதல், knowing the fitting time, is about timing: waiting for the right moment and acting decisively when it comes. Patience and readiness are shown as parts of one skill.
Kural 481 sets the tone with a crow that defeats an owl in daylight, and says a ruler who wants to beat his enemies needs the right time. Kural 482 calls acting in step with the season a cord that binds good fortune. Kural 483 asks whether anything is hard for one who uses the right means at the right time, and Kural 484 says even the world might be won that way. Kural 485 says those with great aims wait for their time without being troubled. Kural 486 gives the image of a ram drawing back before it charges, and Kural 487 says the wise do not show anger at once but watch for the moment. Kural 488 advises showing respect to an enemy until his time of downfall comes. Kural 489 says a rare opportunity should be used at once for a deed that is usually hard, and Kural 490 closes with the heron, which stands still when it should wait and strikes when its moment arrives.
Kural 481 and Kural 490 are the two to know, one for the crow and owl and the other for the heron.
For the syllabus, the chapter fits governance and strategy.
The 10 kurals of காலமறிதல்
Each kural is shown in Tamil with a transliteration and G. U. Pope's English verse translation. Open a kural for its plain English meaning.
பகல்வெல்லும் கூகையைக் காக்கை இகல்வெல்லும்
வேந்தர்க்கு வேண்டும் பொழுது.
Pakalvellum Kookaiyaik Kaakkai Ikalvellum
Vendharkku Ventum Pozhudhu
A crow will conquer owl in broad daylight; The king that foes would crush, needs fitting time to fight
பருவத்தோடு ஒட்ட ஒழுகல் திருவினைத்
தீராமை ஆர்க்குங் கயிறு.
Paruvaththotu Otta Ozhukal Thiruvinaith
Theeraamai Aarkkung Kayiru
The bond binds fortune fast is ordered effort made, Strictly observant still of favouring season's aid
அருவினை யென்ப உளவோ கருவியான்
காலம் அறந்து செயின்.
Aruvinai Yenpa Ulavo Karuviyaan
Kaalam Arindhu Seyin
Can any work be hard in very fact, If men use fitting means in timely act
ஞாலம் கருதினுங் கைகூடுங் காலம்
கருதி இடத்தாற் செயின்.
Gnaalam Karudhinung Kaikootung Kaalam
Karudhi Itaththaar Seyin
The pendant world's dominion may be won, In fitting time and place by action done
காலம் கருதி இருப்பர் கலங்காது
ஞாலம் கருது பவர்.
Kaalam Karudhi Iruppar Kalangaadhu
Gnaalam Karudhu Pavar
Who think the pendant world itself to subjugate, With mind unruffled for the fitting time must wait
ஊக்க முடையான் ஒடுக்கம் பொருதகர்
தாக்கற்குப் பேருந் தகைத்து.
Ookka Mutaiyaan Otukkam Porudhakar
Thaakkarkup Perun Thakaiththu
The men of mighty power their hidden energies repress, As fighting ram recoils to rush on foe with heavier stress
பொள்ளென ஆங்கே புறம்வேரார் காலம்பார்த்து
உள்வேர்ப்பர் ஒள்ளி யவர்.
Pollena Aange Puramveraar Kaalampaarththu
Ulverppar Olli Yavar
The glorious once of wrath enkindled make no outward show, At once; they bide their time, while hidden fires within them glow
செறுநரைக் காணின் சுமக்க இறுவரை
காணின் கிழக்காம் தலை.
Serunaraik Kaanin Sumakka Iruvarai
Kaanin Kizhakkaam Thalai
If foes' detested form they see, with patience let them bear; When fateful hour at last they spy,- the head lies there
எய்தற் கரியது இயைந்தக்கால் அந்நிலையே
செய்தற் கரிய செயல்.
Eydhar Kariyadhu Iyaindhakkaal Annilaiye
Seydhar Kariya Seyal
When hardest gain of opportunity at last is won, With promptitude let hardest deed be done
கொக்கொக்க கூம்பும் பருவத்து மற்றதன்
குத்தொக்க சீர்த்த இடத்து.
Kokkokka Koompum Paruvaththu Matradhan
Kuththokka Seerththa Itaththu
As heron stands with folded wing, so wait in waiting hour; As heron snaps its prey, when fortune smiles, put forth your power
How Thirukkural is asked in TNPSC exams
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