PrepMaticThirukkural · பொருட்பால் · அரசியல்
ஒற்றாடல்: Detectives
About this chapter
ஒற்றாடல், detectives, deals with spies and secret agents as a ruler's way of getting reliable information. Its main concern is how a ruler should gather and check facts.
Kural 581 calls spies and a respected code of law the king's two eyes. Kural 582 says the king's duty is to learn quickly what happens daily to every subject. Kural 583 holds that a king who does not understand the value of what his spies find cannot hope for victory. Kural 584 says a spy keeps watch on all: the king's officers, his relatives and his enemies. Kural 585 and Kural 586 describe the qualities needed, a disguise that arouses no suspicion, no fear of faces, and secrecy, even in the guise of an ascetic. Kural 587 adds that a spy must find what is hidden and report without doubt. The last three kurals describe method. A king should check what one spy reports through another spy (Kural 588), employ spies who do not know each other, and accept information only when three reports agree (Kural 589). Kural 590 advises against giving spies public honours, since that would expose the secret.
Kural 589 is the most useful, because it lays down a simple rule of cross-checking sources. Kural 581 gives the chapter's opening idea.
For the syllabus, the chapter fits governance, through its insistence on verified information.
The 10 kurals of ஒற்றாடல்
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.
ஒற்றும் உரைசான்ற நூலும் இவையிரண்டும்
தெற்றென்க மன்னவன் கண்.
Otrum Uraisaandra Noolum Ivaiyirantum
Thetrenka Mannavan Kan
These two: the code renowned and spies, In these let king confide as eyes
எல்லார்க்கும் எல்லாம் நிகழ்பவை எஞ்ஞான்றும்
வல்லறிதல் வேந்தன் தொழில்.
Ellaarkkum Ellaam Nikazhpavai Egngnaandrum
Vallaridhal Vendhan Thozhil
Each day, of every subject every deed,'Tis duty of the king to learn with speed
ஒற்றினான் ஒற்றிப் பொருள்தெரியா மன்னவன்
கொற்றங் கொளக்கிடந்தது இல்.
Otrinaan Otrip Poruldheriyaa Mannavan
Kotrang Kolakkitandhadhu Il
By spies who spies, not weighing things they bring, Nothing can victory give to that unwary king
வினைசெய்வார் தம்சுற்றம் வேண்டாதார் என்றாங்கு
அனைவரையும் ஆராய்வது ஒற்று.
Vinaiseyvaar Thamsutram Ventaadhaar Endraangu
Anaivaraiyum Aaraaivadhu Otru
His officers, his friends, his enemies, All these who watch are trusty spies
கடாஅ உருவொடு கண்ணஞ்சாது யாண்டும்
உகாஅமை வல்லதே ஒற்று.
Kataaa Uruvotu Kannanjaadhu Yaantum
Ukaaamai Valladhe Otru
Of unsuspected mien and all-unfearing eyes, Who let no secret out, are trusty spies
துறந்தார் படிவத்த ராகி இறந்தாராய்ந்து
என்செயினும் சோர்விலது ஒற்று.
Thurandhaar Pativaththa Raaki Irandhaaraaindhu
Enseyinum Sorviladhu Otru
As monk or devotee, through every hindrance making way, A spy, whate'er men do, must watchful mind display
மறைந்தவை கேட்கவற் றாகி அறிந்தவை
ஐயப்பாடு இல்லதே ஒற்று.
Maraindhavai Ketkavar Raaki Arindhavai
Aiyappaatu Illadhe Otru
A spy must search each hidden matter out, And full report must render, free from doubt
ஒற்றொற்றித் தந்த பொருளையும் மற்றுமோர்
ஒற்றினால் ஒற்றிக் கொளல்.
Otrotrith Thandha Porulaiyum Matrumor
Otrinaal Otrik Kolal
Spying by spies, the things they tellTo test by other spies is well
ஒற்றெற் றுணராமை ஆள்க உடன்மூவர்
சொற்றொக்க தேறப் படும்.
Otrer Runaraamai Aalka Utanmoovar
Sotrokka Therap Patum
One spy must not another see: contrive it so; And things by three confirmed as truth you know
சிறப்பறிய ஒற்றின்கண் செய்யற்க செய்யின்
புறப்படுத்தான் ஆகும் மறை.
Sirappariya Otrinkan Seyyarka Seyyin
Purappatuththaan Aakum Marai
Reward not trusty spy in others' sight, Or all the mystery will come to light
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