Knowing the Right Place
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muraṇcērnta moympi ṉavarkku maraṇcērntā / mākkam palavun tarum
Even for those whose strength is joined with martial skill, the advantage gained by joining a fort yields many benefits.
▸Other translations · Pope (1886) & Aiyar (1916)
“Though skill in war combine with courage tried on battle-field, / The added gain of fort doth great advantage yield.”
“It is an immense advantage even to the powerful and the strong to be based on fortified places.”
Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
முரண்சேர்ந்த மொய்ம்பினவர்க்கும்= மாறுபாட்டோடு கூடிய வலியினை உடையார்க்கும்; அரண்சேர்ந்து ஆம் ஆக்கம் பலவும் தரும்= அரணைச் சேர்ந்தாகின்ற ஆக்கம் பல பயன்களையும் கொடுக்கும்.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
The commentary says that even already formidable rulers gain multiple advantages from a fort. The fort is strategic protection, not a guarantee of justice or victory; modern defensive design must remain accountable, proportionate, accessible, and unable to become confinement or exclusion for the people it claims to protect.