The Majesty of a King
Tap an underlined Tamil word to explore its sound, meaning, and use.
paṭaikuṭi kūḻamaiccu naṭpara ṇāṟu / muṭaiyā ṉaracaru ḷēṟu
“An army, people, wealth, a minister, friends, fort: six things- / Who owns them all, a lion lives amid the kings.”
“He is a lion among princes who is well endowed in respect of the six things: troops, population, substance, council, alliances, and fortifications.”
Among rulers, the one who possesses all six—defence, people, resources, ministers, allies, and fortification—is like a lion among them.
Ask about this Kural
Answers are drawn only from this Kural's sourced text and named commentary, and always cite what they used.
Choose a section
Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
படைகுடிகூழ் அமைச்சு நட்பு அரண் ஆறும் உடையான்= படையும், குடியும் கூழும் அமைச்சும் நட்பும் அரணும் என்று சொல்லப்பட்ட ஆறு அங்கங்களையும் உடையவன்; அரசருள் ஏறு= அரசருள் ஏறு போல்வான் என்றவாறு.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
A ruler who possesses in full measure these six elements—a valiant army, faithful citizens, abundant resources, wise ministers, loyal allies, and formidable fortifications—is a lion among monarchs.