Military Spirit
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uṟiṉuyi rañcā maṟava riṟaivaṉ / ceṟiṉuñ cīrkuṉṟa lilar.
“Fearless they rush where'er 'the tide of battle rolls'; / The king's reproof damps not the ardour of their eager souls.”
“Behold the men of valour that fear not for their lives on the battlefield: they forget not their discipline even when their chief is severe upon them.”
Warriors who do not fear for life when battle comes do not lose their martial distinction, even when their ruler angrily restrains them.
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Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
உறின் உயிர் அஞ்சா மறவர்= போர் பெறின் தம் உயிர்ப்பொருட்டு அஞ்சாது அதன்மேல் செல்லும் வீரர்; இறைவன் செறினும் சீர்குன்றல் இலர்= தம் இறைவன் அது வேண்டாம் என்று முனியினும், அவ் வீரமிகுதி குன்றார்.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Fierce heroes who hold their lives as nothing in righteous combat will not diminish their blazing valor, even if their sovereign should command them to halt.