Thirukkural Chapter 78 - Military Spirit


Couplet 771 
Ye foes stand not before my lord for many a one
Who did my lord withstand, now stands in stone
Explanation
O my foes, stand not before my leader; (for) many are those who did so but afterwards stood (in the shape of) statues

Couplet 772 
Who aims at elephant, though dart should fail, has greater praise
Than he who woodland hare with winged arrow slays
Explanation
It is more pleasant to hold the dart that has missed an elephant than that which has hit hare in the forest

Couplet 773 
Fierceness in hour of strife heroic greatness shows;
Its edge is kindness to our suffering foes
Explanation
The learned say that fierceness (incontest with a foe) is indeed great valour; but to become a benefactor in case of accident (to a foe) is the extreme (limit) of that valour

Couplet 774 
At elephant he hurls the dart in hand; for weapon pressed,
He laughs and plucks the javelin from his wounded breast
Explanation
The hero who after casting the lance in his hand on an elephant, comes (in search of another) will pluck the one (that sticks) in his body and laugh (exultingly)

Couplet 775 
To hero fearless must it not defeat appear,
If he but wink his eye when foemen hurls his spear
Explanation
Is it not a defeat to the valiant to wink and destroy their ferocious look when a lance in cast at them (by their foe) ?

Couplet 776 
The heroes, counting up their days, set down as vain
Each day when they no glorious wound sustain
Explanation
The hero will reckon among wasted days all those on which he had not received severe wounds

Couplet 777 
Who seek for world-wide fame, regardless of their life,
The glorious clasp adorns, sign of heroic strife
Explanation
The fastening of ankle-ring by those who disire a world-wide renown and not (the safety of) their lives is like adorning (themselves)

Couplet 778 
Fearless they rush where'er 'the tide of battle rolls';
The king's reproof damps not the ardour of their eager souls
Explanation
The heroes who are not afraid of losing their life in a contest will not cool their ardour, even if the king prohibits (their fighting)

Couplet 779 
Who says they err, and visits them scorn,
Who die and faithful guard the vow they've sworn
Explanation
Who would reproach with failure those who seal their oath with their death ?

Couplet 780 
If monarch's eyes o'erflow with tears for hero slain,
Who would not beg such boon of glorious death to gain
Explanation
If (heroes) can so die as to fill with tears the eyes of their rulers, such a death deserves to be obtained even by begging