Possession of Knowledge
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aṟivaṟṟaṅ kākkuṅ karuvi ceṟuvārkku / muḷḷaḻikka lākā varaṇ
Wisdom is the instrument that guards against ruin and an inner fortress that even enemies cannot destroy.
▸Other translations · Pope (1886) & Aiyar (1916)
“True wisdom wards off woes, A circling fortress high; / Its inner strength man's eager foes Unshaken will defy.”
“The understanding is an armour against all surprise: it is a fortress which even enemies cannot storm.”
Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
அறிவு அற்றங் காக்கும் கருவி= அரசர்க்கு அறிவென்பது இறுதிவாராமற் காக்கும் கருவியாம்; செறுவார்க்கும் அழிக்கலாகா உள் அரணும் ஆம்= அதுவேயுமன்றிப் பகைவர்க்கு அழிக்காலாகாத உள்அரணுமாம்.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Parimelazhagar addresses the ruler: wisdom both prevents final ruin and forms an inward fortress that enemies cannot destroy. The defence is cultivated discernment, not a physical fortification.