PrepMaticThirukkural · பொருட்பால் · அரசியல்
இடனறிதல்: Knowing the Place
About this chapter
இடனறிதல், knowing the place, is the companion of the chapter on timing. It says that success depends on choosing the right ground, and that strength in the wrong setting counts for little.
Kural 491 advises not starting any operation, or despising an enemy, until a suitable place has been found. Kural 492 says even the strong gain much by using a fortress, and Kural 493 adds that even the weak can win if they choose their ground well and guard themselves. Kural 495 gives the chapter's best-known image: a crocodile beats other animals in deep water but is beaten by them once it leaves the water. Kural 496 repeats the point with a chariot that cannot run on the sea and a ship that cannot move on land. Kural 497 says that one who thinks things through and picks the right place needs no help but his own courage, and Kural 498 that a large army loses its force when forced into ground where only a small army can act. Kural 499 warns that attacking people on their own land is hazardous, and Kural 500 closes with a fox killing a fearless elephant in mud.
Kural 495 is the one to learn. Kural 491 is the most useful rule.
For the syllabus, the chapter fits governance and strategy, by showing that context shapes outcomes.
The 10 kurals of இடனறிதல்
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.
தொடங்கற்க எவ்வினையும் எள்ளற்க முற்றும்
இடங்கண்ட பின்அல் லது.
Thotangarka Evvinaiyum Ellarka Mutrum
Itanganta Pinal Ladhu
Begin no work of war, depise no foe, Till place where you can wholly circumvent you know
முரண்சேர்ந்த மொய்ம்பி னவர்க்கும் அரண்சேர்ந்தாம்
ஆக்கம் பலவுந் தரும்.
Muranserndha Moimpi Navarkkum Aranserndhaam
Aakkam Palavun Tharum
Though skill in war combine with courage tried on battle-field, The added gain of fort doth great advantage yield
ஆற்றாரும் ஆற்றி அடுப இடனறிந்து
போற்றார்கண் போற்றிச் செயின்.
Aatraarum Aatri Atupa Itanarindhu
Potraarkan Potrich Cheyin
E'en weak ones mightily prevail, if place of strong defence, They find, protect themselves, and work their foes offence
எண்ணியார் எண்ணம் இழப்பர் இடனறிந்து
துன்னியார் துன்னிச் செயின்.
Enniyaar Ennam Izhappar Itanarindhu
Thunniyaar Thunnich Cheyin
The foes who thought to triumph, find their thoughts were vain, If hosts advance, seize vantage ground, and thence the fight maintain
நெடும்புனலுள் வெல்லும் முதலை அடும்புனலின்
நீங்கின் அதனைப் பிற.
Netumpunalul Vellum Mudhalai Atumpunalin
Neengin Adhanaip Pira
The crocodile prevails in its own flow of water wide, If this it leaves, 'tis slain by anything beside
கடலோடா கால்வல் நெடுந்தேர் கடலோடும்
நாவாயும் ஓடா நிலத்து.
Katalotaa Kaalval Netundher Katalotum
Naavaayum Otaa Nilaththu
The lofty car, with mighty wheel, sails not o'er watery main, The boat that skims the sea, runs not on earth's hard plain
அஞ்சாமை அல்லால் துணைவேண்டா எஞ்சாமை
எண்ணி இடத்தால் செயின்.
Anjaamai Allaal Thunaiventaa Enjaamai
Enni Itaththaal Seyin
Save their own fearless might they need no other aid, If in right place they fight, all due provision made
சிறுபடையான் செல்லிடம் சேரின் உறுபடையான்
ஊக்கம் அழிந்து விடும்.
Sirupataiyaan Sellitam Serin Urupataiyaan
Ookkam Azhindhu Vitum
If lord of army vast the safe retreat assailOf him whose host is small, his mightiest efforts fail
சிறைநலனும் சீரும் இலரெனினும் மாந்தர்
உறைநிலத்தோடு ஒட்டல் அரிது.
Sirainalanum Seerum Ilareninum Maandhar
Urainilaththotu Ottal Aridhu
Though fort be none, and store of wealth they lack,'Tis hard a people's homesteads to attack
காலாழ் களரில் நரியடும் கண்ணஞ்சா
வேலாள் முகத்த களிறு.
Kaalaazh Kalaril Nariyatum Kannanjaa
Velaal Mukaththa Kaliru
The jackal slays, in miry paths of foot-betraying fen, The elephant of fearless eye and tusks transfixing armed men
How Thirukkural is asked in TNPSC exams
Find your weak TNPSC units before the exam does
Take a free TNPSC assessment on PrepMatic. It shows where you stand across General Tamil, General Studies and Aptitude, then builds a day-by-day study plan and mock tests focused on your weak subjects.
Start free assessment →Free forever plan · No credit card · 2-minute setup