Fortification
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ciṟukāppiṟ pēriṭatta tāki yuṟupakai / yūkka maḻippa taraṇ.
A fort has only a small perimeter to guard, encloses ample space, and breaks the fighting resolve of the formidable enemy besieging it.
▸Other translations · Pope (1886) & Aiyar (1916)
“A fort must need but slight defence, yet ample be, / Defying all the foeman's energy.”
“That is the best fortress which is vulnerable in very few places but at the same time is spacious, and which is capable of breaking the assaults of those that attempt to take it.”
Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
சிறு காப்பின் பேர் இடத்தது ஆகி= காக்கவேண்டும் இடம் சிறிதாய், அகன்ற இடத்தை உடைத்தாய்; உறு பகை ஊக்கம் அழிப்பது அரண்= தன்னை வந்து முற்றிய பகைவரது மனஎழுச்சியைக் கெடுப்பதே அரணாவது.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Parimelazhagar explains that a fort has a small extent requiring defence, contains a broad interior, and destroys the fighting resolve of the powerful enemy who comes to besiege it.