Knowing the Right Place
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ciṟupaṭaiyāṉ celliṭañ cēri ṉuṟupaṭaiyā / ṉūkka maḻintu viṭum
If the ruler with a great army enters the ground reached by the ruler with a small army, the greater army's confidence will perish.
▸Other translations · Pope (1886) & Aiyar (1916)
“If lord of army vast the safe retreat assail / Of him whose host is small, his mightiest efforts fail.”
“If the prince whose army is weak only betaketh himself to a proper theatre of war, all the endeavours of his strong foe would be vain against him.”
Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
உறுபடையான்= பெரும்படையுடைய அரசன்; சிறுபடையான் செல் இடம் சேரின்= ஏனைச் சிறுபடை உடையானை அழித்தல் கருதி, அவன் புகலைச் சென்று சாருமாயின்; ஊக்கம் அழிந்து விடும்= அவனால் தன்பெருமை அழியும்.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
The commentary warns a larger force that entering a smaller force's favorable refuge can dissolve its advantage and morale. The verse does not celebrate attacks, insurgency, terrorism, or using civilians as cover; lawful protection must distinguish combatants from residents, avoid collective punishment, and prefer de-escalation where possible.