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 and comments are done by N V Subbaraman who lives in Chennai.
Chapter 59
Espionage
அதிகாரம் 59.
ஒற்றாடல்
(ஒற்றர்களின் திறமை)
~*~
Original
ஒற்றும் உரைசான்ற நூலும் இவைஇரண்டும்
தெற்றென்க மன்னவன் கண்.
Pronunciation
Otrum uraisaanra noolum ivaiiraNdum
Thetrenga mannavan kaN.
Translation
A king’s eyes are two
The code of laws is one sure
And careful spies next.
Comment
The secrets obtained from official spies and the advices from the noble learned are deemed as two eyes of the king/ruler.
~*~
Original
எல்லார்க்கும் எல்லாம் நிகழ்பவை எஞ்ஞான்றும்
அனைவரையும் ஆராய்வது ஒற்று.
Pronunciation
Ellaarkkum ellaam nigazhbavai enjnjaanrum
Anaivaraiyum aaraayvadhu otru.
Translation
All happen, always,
To all; the king should know all
In detail from spies.
Comment
It is the duty of the king/ruler to immediately know what is happening around through his spies.
~*~
Original
ஒற்றினான் ஒற்றிப் பொருள்தெரியா மன்னவன்
கொற்றம் கொளக்கிடந்தது இல்.
Pronunciation
Otrinaan otrip poruLtheriyaa mannavan
Kotram koLakkidandhadhu il.
Translation
The king who cares not
For the wise remarks of spies
Sure conquests are not.
Comment
There are no means to achieve anything unless the king/ruler is able to get all the details of happenings around through his spies, analyze the rights and wrongs, good and bad and take remedial actions wherever called for.
~*~
Original
வினைசெய்வார் தன்சுற்றம் வேண்டாதார் என்றாங்கு
அனைவரையும் ஆராய்வது ஒற்று.
Pronunciation
Vinaiseyvaar thansutram vaeNdaadhaar endraangu
Anaivaraiyum aaraayvadhu otru.
Translation
He who watches kings
Officers, kinsmen and foes
True are worthy spies
Comment
Genuine spy is the one who observes all the working people, king’s relatives and enemies, analyzes the information collected and reports to the king/ruler correctly.
~*~
Original
கடாஅ உருவொடு கண்அஞ்சாது யாண்டும்
உகாஅமை வல்லதே ஒற்று.
Pronunciation
Kadaauruvodu kaN anjaadhu yaaNdum
Ugaamai valladhae otru.
Translation
They indeed are spies
Fearless gaze, suspect less guys
Guarding secrets nice.
Comment
Indeed a competent spy is the one, who never gives raise to doubt him on the basis of his appearance, without any fear and never discloses anything in his mind to others under any circumstances.
~*~
Original
துறந்தார் படிவத்தார் ஆகி இறந்துஆராய்ந்து
என்செயினும் சோர்வுஇலது ஒற்று.
Pronunciation
Thurandhaar padivaththaar agi irandhu aaraayndhu
Enseyinum soarvu iladhu otru.
Translation
Guised as monks he gets
Secrets- analyze, report
Betray not under threats.
Comment
He indeed is the competent spy who under any guise is able to go anywhere at any time where others cannot enter and overcomes whatever hurdles he comes across bravely and wisely and reports to the king/ruler.
~*~
Original
மறைந்தவை கேட்கவற்று ஆகி அறிந்தவை
ஐயப்பாடு இல்லதே ஒற்று.
Pronunciation
Maraindhavai kaetkavatru agi arindhavai
Aiyappaadu illadhae otru.
Translation
Spy draws out secrets
From others beyond a doubt
He clears his facts.
Comment
He indeed is a competent spy who gathers all secrets from all sources, analyzes and presents the facts bereft of any doubts.
~*~
Original
ஒற்றுஒற்றித் தந்த பொருளையும் மற்றுமோர்
ஒற்றினால் ஒற்றிக் கொளல்.
Pronunciation
Otruotrith thandha poruLaiyum matrumoar
Otrinaal otrik koLal.
Translation
The report given
By one should be verified
By another spy.
Comment
It is right that the findings of one spy should be verified by another now and then.
~*~
Original
ஒற்றுஒற்று உணராமை ஆள்க; உடன்மூவர்
சொல்தொக்க தேறப் படும்.
Pronunciation
Otruotru uNaraamai aaLka udan moovar
Solthokka thaerap padum.
Translation
Engage spy alone
With three of them get confirmed
To accept and act on it.
Comment
Engage three spies independently; find out how much are in agreement and then accept and act.
~*~
Original
சிறப்புஅறிய ஒற்றின்கண் செய்யற்க; செய்யின்
புறப்படுத்தான் ஆகும் மறை.
Pronunciation
Sirappu ariya otrinkaN seyyarka; seyyin
Purappaduththaan aakum marai.
Translation
Award not the spy
Openly as it would divulge
And the secrets heard.
Comment
King should not honor and award the spies in open as it would lead to the divulgence of the secrets gathered.
Indeed great and practical the message of thirvallivar is. This we can apply to modern times also with equal ease. Today the media is like spies of kings of olden era. We have to get the information from various sources, check out them , analyse properly and with awareness formulate decisions.
Interesting! Machiavelli must have learnt something from this philosophical text.
What Thiruvalluvar wrote years ago on ESPIONAGE is applicabe today,and will be applicable tomorrow too!
The presence of the learned around a ruler is a prerequisite to proper conduct of administration.
The wisdom of the ruler lies not only in the appointment of a reliable spy to observe what’s happening around, analyze them objectively, and report correctly to him.
He essentially needs the services of another spy or two to check the credibility of the original spy in maintaining the official secrets without revealing them to none!
Thanks Ramamurthi, Hari and OKRS for your response.