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Kural 749

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muṉaimukattu māṟṟalar cāya viṉaimukattu / vīṟeyti māṇṭa taraṇ.

🎬 குறள் கதை · Story
G.U. Pope1886

“At outset of the strife a fort should foes dismay; / And greatness gain by deeds in every glorious day.”

V.V.S. Aiyar1916

“That is the veritable fortress which hath been rendered impregnable by works of various kinds, and which enableth the defenders to fell down their adversaries even at the outermost enceintes.”

Modern readingAI draft

An excellent fort gives its defenders mastery in action at the battlefront, so that the opposing force is overcome as the engagement begins.

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Parimelazhagar’s commentary

13th century · public domain

Parimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.

முனை முகத்து மாற்றலர் சாய வினைமுகத்து வீறு எய்தி= போர் தொடங்கின அளவிலே, பகைவர் கெடும் வண்ணம் அகத்தோர் செய்யும் வினைவேறுபாடுகளான் வீறுபெற்று; மாண்டது அரண்= மற்றும் வேண்டும் மாட்சியையுடையதே அரணாவது.

Source: Tamil Wikisource

In plain EnglishAI draft · pending review

An exceptional fortress empowers defenders with operational superiority at the frontlines, ensuring the complete defeat and retreat of aggressive adversaries.