PrepMaticThirukkural · பொருட்பால் · அரணியல்
நாடு: The Land
About this chapter
நாடு, the land, asks what makes a country a country worth the name. It reads like a checklist of what a well-governed territory should have, before the next chapter turns to defence.
Kural 731 opens with the basics: unfailing produce, virtuous people and rich people who do not decline. Kurals 732 and 733 add that a true nāṭu is desired for its wealth, grows steadily, and can bear burdens while still paying its due to the king. Kurals 734 and 735 list what it must be free from: severe hunger, lasting disease and hostile powers (734), and also factions, internal enmity and murderous bands that trouble the ruler (735). Kural 736 calls the best land one that has known no ruin and, even when damaged, does not lose its fertility. Kural 737 names its parts, including the two waters (rain and springs), well-placed hills, flowing water and a strong fort. Kural 738 lists five ornaments: freedom from disease, wealth, produce, happiness and protection. Kural 739 praises the land whose wealth comes without toil. Kural 740 ends with a warning that all these gifts are useless if the land is not in harmony with its king.
Kural 738 is the one to remember because of its five-part list. Kural 734 comes close behind it.
For the syllabus, it belongs to governance and socio-political themes. Health, food security, water, internal security and good rule are all here.
The 10 kurals of நாடு
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.
தள்ளா விளையுளும் தக்காரும் தாழ்விலாச்
செல்வரும் சேர்வது நாடு.
Thallaa Vilaiyulum Thakkaarum Thaazhvilaach
Chelvarum Servadhu Naatu
Where spreads fertility unfailing, where resides a band, Of virtuous men, and those of ample wealth, call that a 'land'
பெரும்பொருளால் பெட்டக்க தாகி அருங்கேட்டால்
ஆற்ற விளைவது நாடு.
Perumporulaal Pettakka Thaaki Arungettaal
Aatra Vilaivadhu Naatu
That is a 'land' which men desire for wealth's abundant share, Yielding rich increase, where calamities are rare
பொறையொருங்கு மேல்வருங்கால் தாங்கி இறைவற்கு
இறையொருங்கு நேர்வது நாடு.
Poraiyorungu Melvarungaal Thaangi Iraivarku
Iraiyorungu Nervadhu Naatu
When burthens press, it bears; Yet, With unfailing handTo king due tribute pays: that is the 'land'
உறுபசியும் ஓவாப் பிணியும் செறுபகையும்
சேரா தியல்வது நாடு.
Urupasiyum Ovaap Piniyum Serupakaiyum
Seraa Thiyalvadhu Naatu
That is a 'land' whose peaceful annals know, Nor famine fierce, nor wasting plague, nor ravage of the foe
பல்குழுவும் பாழ்செய்யும் உட்பகையும் வேந்தலைக்கும்
கொல்குறும்பும் இல்லது நாடு.
Palkuzhuvum Paazhseyyum Utpakaiyum Vendhalaikkum
Kolkurumpum Illadhu Naatu
From factions free, and desolating civil strife, and bandOf lurking murderers that king afflict, that is the 'land'
கேடறியாக் கெட்ட இடத்தும் வளங்குன்றா
நாடென்ப நாட்டின் தலை.
Ketariyaak Ketta Itaththum Valangundraa
Naatenpa Naattin Thalai
Chief of all lands is that, where nought disturbs its peace; Or, if invaders come, still yields its rich increase
இருபுனலும் வாய்ந்த மலையும் வருபுனலும்
வல்லரணும் நாட்டிற்கு உறுப்பு.
Irupunalum Vaaindha Malaiyum Varupunalum
Vallaranum Naattirku Uruppu
Waters from rains and springs, a mountain near, and waters thence; These make a land, with fortress' sure defence
பிணியின்மை செல்வம் விளைவின்பம் ஏமம்
அணியென்ப நாட்டிவ் வைந்து.
Piniyinmai Selvam Vilaivinpam Emam
Aniyenpa Naattiv Vaindhu
A country's jewels are these five: unfailing health, Fertility, and joy, a sure defence, and wealth
நாடென்ப நாடா வளத்தன நாடல்ல
நாட வளந்தரு நாடு.
Naatenpa Naataa Valaththana Naatalla
Naata Valandharu Naatu
That is a land that yields increase unsought, That is no land whose gifts with toil are bought
ஆங்கமை வெய்தியக் கண்ணும் பயமின்றே
வேந்தமை வில்லாத நாடு.
Aangamai Veydhiyak Kannum Payamindre
Vendhamai Villaadha Naatu
Though blest with all these varied gifts' increase, A land gains nought that is not with its king at peace
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