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படைச் செருக்கு: Military Spirit
About this chapter
படைச் செருக்கு, military spirit, is about the pride and courage of the soldier. It is the work's most open treatment of heroism and death in battle.
Kural 771 is a soldier's warning to his foes not to stand before his leader, since those who did now stand only as stone. Kural 772 says it is better to hold the spear that missed an elephant than the arrow that struck a hare. Kural 773 is the chapter's most important moral statement, saying that fierceness in battle is great valour, but kindness to a foe in trouble is the true edge of that valour. Kurals 774 and 775 are pictures of composure: the hero who plucks a lance from his own body and laughs, and the one who would count a wink as a defeat when a spear is thrown at him. Kural 776 says the hero counts as wasted every day without an honourable wound. Kurals 777 and 778 describe those who seek fame, not safety, and who keep their spirit even if the king forbids them. Kural 779 says none should blame those who die fulfilling a vow, and Kural 780 ends by saying a death that brings tears to the eyes of one's ruler is worth begging for.
Kural 773 is the one to know, because it sets compassion as the limit of courage.
For the syllabus, it relates to universal values (courage tempered by compassion) and to the Porutpaal's concern with defence.
The 10 kurals of படைச் செருக்கு
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.
என்னைமுன் நில்லன்மின் தெவ்விர் பலரென்னை
முன்நின்று கல்நின் றவர்.
Ennaimun Nillanmin Thevvir Palarennai
Munnindru Kalnin Ravar
Ye foes stand not before my lord for many a oneWho did my lord withstand, now stands in stone
கான முயலெய்த அம்பினில் யானை
பிழைத்தவேல் ஏந்தல் இனிது.
Kaana Muyaleydha Ampinil Yaanai
Pizhaiththavel Endhal Inidhu
Who aims at elephant, though dart should fail, has greater praiseThan he who woodland hare with winged arrow slays
பேராண்மை என்ப தறுகண்ஒன் றுற்றக்கால்
ஊராண்மை மற்றதன் எஃகு.
Peraanmai Enpa Tharukanon Rutrakkaal
Ooraanmai Matradhan Eqku
Fierceness in hour of strife heroic greatness shows; Its edge is kindness to our suffering foes
கைவேல் களிற்றொடு போக்கி வருபவன்
மெய்வேல் பறியா நகும்.
Kaivel Kalitrotu Pokki Varupavan
Meyvel Pariyaa Nakum
At elephant he hurls the dart in hand; for weapon pressed, He laughs and plucks the javelin from his wounded breast
விழித்தகண் வேல்கொண டெறிய அழித்திமைப்பின்
ஒட்டன்றோ வன்க ணவர்க்கு.
Vizhiththakan Velkona Teriya Azhiththimaippin
Ottandro Vanka Navarkku
To hero fearless must it not defeat appear, If he but wink his eye when foemen hurls his spear
விழுப்புண் படாதநாள் எல்லாம் வழுக்கினுள்
வைக்கும்தன் நாளை எடுத்து.
Vizhuppun Pataadhanaal Ellaam Vazhukkinul
Vaikkumdhan Naalai Etuththu
The heroes, counting up their days, set down as vainEach day when they no glorious wound sustain
சுழலும் இசைவேண்டி வேண்டா உயிரார்
கழல்யாப்புக் காரிகை நீர்த்து.
Suzhalum Isaiventi Ventaa Uyiraar
Kazhalyaappuk Kaarikai Neerththu
Who seek for world-wide fame, regardless of their life, The glorious clasp adorns, sign of heroic strife
உறின்உயிர் அஞ்சா மறவர் இறைவன்
செறினும் சீர்குன்றல் இலர்.
Urinuyir Anjaa Maravar Iraivan
Serinum Seerkundral Ilar
Fearless they rush where'er 'the tide of battle rolls'; The king's reproof damps not the ardour of their eager souls
இழைத்தது இகவாமைச் சாவாரை யாரே
பிழைத்தது ஒறுக்கிற் பவர்.
Izhaiththadhu Ikavaamaich Chaavaarai Yaare
Pizhaiththadhu Orukkir Pavar
Who says they err, and visits them scorn, Who die and faithful guard the vow they've sworn
புரந்தார்கண் நீர்மல்கச் சாகிற்பின் சாக்காடு
இரந்துகோள் தக்கது உடைத்து.
Purandhaarkan Neermalkach Chaakirpin Saakkaatu
Irandhukol Thakkadhu Utaiththu
If monarch's eyes o'erflow with tears for hero slain, Who would not beg such boon of glorious death to gain
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