PrepMaticThirukkural · பொருட்பால் · அமைச்சியல்
தூது: The Envoy
About this chapter
தூது, the envoy, describes the person a ruler sends to speak for him before another court. The chapter is a list of qualities, and most of them are about character and speech rather than rank.
Kural 681 begins with the basics: affection, good birth and the manners that rulers value. Kural 682 narrows these to three indispensable qualities: love, knowledge and a discriminating power of speech. Kurals 683 and 684 add learning, natural sense and an attractive bearing, so that the envoy can hold his own among the learned and among kings. The next kurals describe how he speaks. Kural 685 asks for brevity, no harshness and a pleasant manner that still brings advantage to his lord. Kural 686 adds that he must not fear the angry look of those he addresses. Kural 687 says the best envoy knows the proper decorum, the right time and the right place, and speaks only after thinking. Kural 688 lists purity, support and boldness, with truthfulness. Kural 689 asks that he never let slip anything that would discredit his king, even by accident. Kural 690 ends with the envoy who seeks his king's good even at the cost of his life.
Kural 685 and Kural 687 are the most useful. Together they are a short guide to formal communication: be brief, be courteous, and choose the moment.
For the syllabus, the chapter belongs with diplomacy and governance, and its stress on truthful, measured speech links to universal values.
The 10 kurals of தூது
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.
அன்புடைமை ஆன்ற குடிப்பிறத்தல் வேந்தவாம்
பண்புடைமை தூதுரைப்பான் பண்பு.
Anputaimai Aandra Kutippiraththal Vendhavaam
Panputaimai Thoodhuraippaan Panpu
Benevolence high birth, the courtesy kings love:-These qualities the envoy of a king approve
அன்பறிவு ஆராய்ந்த சொல்வன்மை தூதுரைப்பார்க்கு
இன்றி யமையாத மூன்று.
Anparivu Aaraaindha Solvanmai Thoodhuraippaarkku
Indri Yamaiyaadha Moondru
Love, knowledge, power of chosen words, three things, Should he possess who speaks the words of kings
நூலாருள் நூல்வல்லன் ஆகுதல் வேலாருள்
வென்றி வினையுரைப்பான் பண்பு.
Noolaarul Noolvallan Aakudhal Velaarul
Vendri Vinaiyuraippaan Panpu
Mighty in lore amongst the learned must he be, Midst jav'lin-bearing kings who speaks the words of victory
அறிவுரு வாராய்ந்த கல்விஇம் மூன்றன்
செறிவுடையான் செல்க வினைக்கு.
Arivuru Vaaraaindha Kalviim Moondran
Serivutaiyaan Selka Vinaikku
Sense, goodly grace, and knowledge exquisiteWho hath these three for envoy's task is fit
தொகச்சொல்லித் தூவாத நீக்கி நகச்சொல்லி
நன்றி பயப்பதாந் தூது.
Thokach Chollith Thoovaadha Neekki
Nakachcholli Nandri Payappadhaan Thoodhu
In terms concise, avoiding wrathful speech, who utters pleasant word, An envoy he who gains advantage for his lord
கற்றுக்கண் அஞ்சான் செலச்சொல்லிக் காலத்தால்
தக்கது அறிவதாம் தூது.
Katrukkan Anjaan Selachchollik Kaalaththaal
Thakkadhu Arivadhaam Thoodhu
An envoy meet is he, well-learned, of fearless eyeWho speaks right home, prepared for each emergency
கடனறிந்து காலங் கருதி இடனறிந்து
எண்ணி உரைப்பான் தலை.
Katanarindhu Kaalang Karudhi Itanarindhu
Enni Uraippaan Thalai
He is the best who knows what's due, the time considered well, The place selects, then ponders long ere he his errand tell
தூய்மை துணைமை துணிவுடைமை இம்மூன்றின்
வாய்மை வழியுரைப்பான் பண்பு.
Thooimai Thunaimai Thunivutaimai Immoondrin
Vaaimai Vazhiyuraippaan Panpu
Integrity, resources, soul determined, truthfulnessWho rightly speaks his message must these marks possess
விடுமாற்றம் வேந்தர்க்கு உரைப்பான் வடுமாற்றம்
வாய்சேரா வன்கணவன்.
Vitumaatram Vendharkku Uraippaan Vatumaatram
Vaaiseraa Vanka Navan
His faltering lips must utter no unworthy thing, Who stands, with steady eye, to speak the mandates of his king
இறுதி பயப்பினும் எஞ்சாது இறைவற்கு
உறுதி பயப்பதாம் தூது.
Irudhi Payappinum Enjaadhu Iraivarku
Urudhi Payappadhaam Thoodhu
Death to the faithful one his embassy may bring; To envoy gains assured advantage for his king
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