Following is the translation of Thirukkural, a discourse on ethics, its author is Tamil poet and philosopher Thiruvalluvar, who lived around 3rd Century. Its translation is done by Mr. NV Subbaraman, he lives in Chennai.
CHAPTER FIFTY
JUDGING THE PLACE
அதிகாரம் 50
இடன் அறிதல்
~*~
Original
தொடங்கற்க எவ்வினையும் எள்ளற்க முற்றும்
இடம்கண்ட பின் அல்லது.
Pronunciation
Thodangkarka evvinaiyum eLLarkka mutrum
IdamkaNda pin alladhu.
Translation
Till place is assessed
Commence not the action; nor
Slight the foe’s strength.
Comment
It is not right to start a work till the time is ripe for its successful accomplishment. Having found out the correct location, it is not right to give up after abusing the same.
~*~
Original
முரண் சேர்ந்த மொய்ம்பி னவற்கும் அரண்சேர்ந்து
ஆக்கம் பலவும் தரும்.
Pronunciation
MuraNsaerndha moimbinavarkkum araN saerndhu
AAkkam palavum tharum.
Translation
Strong will with enough
Strength and support makes one great
Achieves all great stuff.
Comment
For a person with a strong will , if the support of security is available, he will get several advantages.
~*~
Original
ஆற்றாரும் ஆற்றி அடுப, இடன்அறிந்து
போற்றார்கண் போற்றிச் செயின்.
Pronunciation
Aatraarum aatri adum idan arindhu
PoatraarkaN poatrich cheyin.
Translation
Assessing foe’s place
Strengthening the self and place
Makes the king an ace.
Comment
A king by choosing the correct location sets upon a battle, analyzing the strength he can easily win even his well prepared opponent.
~*~
Original
எண்ணியார் எண்ணம் இழப்பர் இடன்அறிந்து
துன்னியார் துன்னிச் செயின்.
Pronunciation
ENNiyaar eNNam izappar idan arindhu
Thunniyaar thunnich cheyin.
Translation
Right place to launch found
King ready to face- the foe
Gives up mind to fight.
Comment
When one carefully selects the place and the situation and starts the battle, even the one who is determined and prepared for the battle will withdraw from the war and retreat.
~*~
Original
நெடும்புனலுள் வெல்லும் முதலை; அடும் புனலின்
நீங்கின் அதனைப் பிற.
Pronunciation
NedumpunaluL vellum mudhalai; adum punalin
Neengin adhanaip pira.
Translation
Crocodile strongest
In water; out of it falls
Becomes the weakest.
Comment
A crocodile when in deep waters can easily over take its opponents; but if comes out of water to the ground other animals will fight and kill it.
~*~
Original
கடல்ஓடா கால்வல் நெடுந்தேர்; கடல் ஓடும்
நாவாயும் ஓடா நிலத்து.
Pronunciation
Kadal oadaa kaalval nedunthaer; kadal oadum
Naavaayum oadaanilaththu.
Translation
Cars can’t ply on water
Everything has its runway
Ship can’t sail on road.
Comment
The car that has the strength go fast on the road, cannot run on the sea. Similarly, the ship that goes in the sea cannot ply on the road.
~*~
Original
அஞ்சாமை அல்லால் துணைவேண்டாஎஞ்சாமை
எண்ணி இடத்தால் செயின்.
Pronunciation
Anjaamai allaal thuNaivaeNdA enjaamai
ENNi idaththaal seyin.
Translation
No strength beyond king’s
Fearlessness; right place and time
Sure win in all things.
Comment
Well thought out strategies with the proper selection of the place and situation require no other support from outside and his will power alone is enough.
~*~
Original
சிறுபடையான்செல்லிடம் சேரின் உறுபடையான்
ஊக்கம் அழிந்து விடும்.
Pronunciation
Sirupadayaan sellidam saerin urupadayaan
Uukkam azindhu vidum.
Translation
King with small army
Finding right place sure to win
Others strong army.
Comment
A king with a smaller force can easily win over the one with bigger force, if only he chooses the correct place and location; the opponent will lose all his strength and enthusiasm.
~*~
Original
சிறைநலனும் சீரும் இலர்எனினும் மாந்தர்
உறைநிலத்தோடு ஒட்டல் அரிது.
Pronunciation
Sirainalanum serum ilar eninum maandhar
Urainilaththoadu ottal aridhu.
Translation
In his place stronger
Without fort and army; one
Can win no longer.
Comment
It is difficult to win over a king without a big force and strength if he has chosen a right location and place.
~*~
Original
கால்ஆழ் களரில் நரிஅடும் கண்அஞ்சா
வேலாள் முகத்த களிறு.
Pronunciation
Kaal aazh kaLaril nari aadum kaN anjaa
VaelaaL mugaththa kaLiru.
Translation
Strong tusker in slush
A fox can overthrow sure.
Apt place hard to push.
Comment
The strong elephant which can defeat a big force of soldiers can be defeated by a fox, if that tusker is caught up in slush.
Being in the right place-
A favor in action!
Right place for the king –
A dead end to the enemy!
Measure your foe’s strength –
And ensure your’s!
A credit of right place –
Renders valor and size irrelevant!
Thiruvalluvar’s wisdom on ‘Judging the place’
thus has no parallels, and
Its rendition in English by Shri. NVS flawless!
Thanks Shri Sivanganam.