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 FORTY NINE
ASSESSING TIME
அதிகாரம் 49
காலம் அறிதல்
~*~
Original
பகல்வெல்லும் கூகையைக் காக்கை; இகல்வெல்லும்
வேந்தர்க்கு வேண்டும் பொழுது.
Pronunciation
Pagalvellum kookaiyaik kaakkai; igalvellum
Vaendharkku vaeNdum pozhudhu.
Translation
By day the crow can
Defeat the owl; the king needs
Right time to quell foes.
Comment
Crow can defeat its foe the owl stronger during the day time; similarly, a king can defeat his enemies if he finds out the appropriate time and acts.
~*~
Original
பருவத்தோடு ஒட்ட ஒழுகல்; திருவினைத்
தீராமை ஆர்க்கும் கயிறு.
Pronunciation
Paruvaththoadu otta ozhugal; thiruvinaith
Theeraamai aarkkum kayiru..
Translation
Action on right time
Is indeed a chord that binds
Fortune sure to shine!
Comment
One has to toil according to the appropriate time; that right time is the chord that binds one to good fortune.
~*~
Original
அருவினை என்ப உளவோ; கருவியான்
காலம் அறிந்து செயின்?
Pronunciation
Aruvinai enba uLavoe; karuviyaan
Kaalam arindhu seyin?
Translation
What is hard for him
Who acts on the time correct
That gets win for him.
Comment
To the one who analyzes appropriate time to do a particular work and acts, nothing is difficult for him to accomplish.
~*~
Original
ஞாலம் கருதினும் கைகூடும்; காலம்
கருதி இடத்தால் செயின்.
Pronunciation
Njaalam karudhinum kaikoodum; kaalam
Karudhi idaththaal seyin.
Translation
Can conquer the world
If he times his action right
With all support bold!
Comment
If one focuses and times his actions correct, he can acquire the whole world if he wants.
~*~
Original
காலம் கருதி இருப்பர்; கலங்காது
ஞாலம் கருது பவர்.
Pronunciation
Kaalam karudhi iruppar kalanggaadhu
Njaalam karudhu bavar.
Translation
To conquer the world
King must wait for the time right
Though is strong and bold.
Comment
Those who want to acquire the whole world, without worrying about it, will wait for the appropriate time to arrive and then plunge it to action and win.
~*~
Original
ஊக்கம் உடையான் ஒடுக்கம் பொருதகர்
தாக்கற்குப் பேரும் தகைத்து.
Pronunciation
OOkkam udaiyaan odukkam poruthagar
Thaakkarkup paerum thagaiththu.
Translation
Just wait for right time
To launch offence on the foe!
Sheep steps back to pounce.
Comment
One has to wait with patience to launch an attack on his enemies in the appropriate time. There is nothing wrong in stepping back to pounce with greater strength and force.
~*~
Original
பொள்ளென ஆங்கே புறம்வேரார்;காலம்பார்த்து
உள்வேர்ப்பர் ஒள்ளி யவர்.
Pronunciation
PoLLena aangghae puramvaeraar; kaalampaarththu
ULvaerpar oLLi yavar.
Translation
Anger-keeps the wise
Within- till the time cis ripe
To pounce strong and nice.
Comment
The wise will not get into anger at the wrongs done by the enemies but wait with patience till the appropriate time keeping the anger within.
~*~
Original
செறுநரைக் காணின் சுமக்க;இறுவரை
காணின் கிழக்காம் தலை.
Pronunciation
Serunaraik kaaNin sumakka; iruvarai
KaaNin kizhakkaam thalai.
Translation
Till right time sets in
Wait in patience; the foe’s head
Rolls down on its own
Comment
One has to wait with patience controlling anger against enemies; at the appropriate time, when the time comes, the heads of foes will roll down with our routine and normal efforts.
~*~
Original
எய்தற்கு அரியது இயைந்தக்கால் அந்நிலையே
செய்தற்கு அரிய செயல்.
Pronunciation
Eudharkku ariyadhu iyaindhakkaal annilaiyae
Seydharkku ariya seyal.
Translation
When right time sets in
Complete all deeds to be done
Sure success and win!
Comment
To accomplish a work, wait for the appropriate time, availing the same, plunge into action immediately. One is bound to accomplish all important and difficult assignments.
~*~
Original
கொக்குஒக்க கூம்பும் பருவத்து; மற்றுஅதன்
குத்துஒக்க சீர்த்த இடத்து.
Pronunciation
Kokkuokka koombum paruvaththu; matru adhan
Kuththuokka seerththa idaththu.
Translation
Crane waits for its fish
Man to wait for apt time to
Strike right and finish.
Comment
To accomplish a work successfully, wait till the appropriate time , just as a crane waits with patience and gets its food-the fish.
Great transliteration!Words of wisdom !Value of time retold! Great persons thnk wise,take time to understand and then act .It is this distinctive art that make them more prominent .It is this art coupled with patience make them ever successful!
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Thanks Prasad. Good conclusion.
Neither meekness nor strength
But time decides success!
Fortune otherwise hard to come by
Made easier by time right!
Fusion of time and action
Brings world to your feet!
Patience and right time implies
Redoubled vigor to win your foes!
Set aside provocations and
Strike at the opportune time ro succeed!
Effects of assessing time
So well brought out by Thiruvalluvar
Through a nice translation by Shri. NVS!
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