The Excellence of an Army
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maṟamāṉa māṇṭa vaḻiccelavu tēṟṟa / meṉanāṉkē yēmam paṭaikku.
“Valour with honour, sure advance in glory's path, with confidence; / To warlike host these four are sure defence.”
“Valour, honour, a clear head, and a thorough acquaintance with the history of the great wars of the past, these four are the armours of protection for an army.”
Courage, honour, following the proven path, and the ruler's confidence in the force—these four alone are protections for an army.
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Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
மறம் மானம் மாண்ட வழிச்செலவு தேற்றம் என நான்கே= தறுகண்மையும், மானமும், முன் வீரராயினார் சென்ற நன்னெறிக்கண் சேறலும் அரசனால் தேறப்படுதலும் என இந்நான்கு குணமுமே; படைக்கு ஏமம்= படைக்கு அரணாவது.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Martial valor, unwavering honor, adherence to noble military traditions, and the trusted confidence of the sovereign are the four impregnable defenses of an army.