Fortification
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ellāp poruḷu muṭaittā yiṭattutavu / nallā ḷuṭaiya taraṇ.
A fort contains every necessary supply and capable defenders who can help at the place where hostile damage threatens.
▸Other translations · Pope (1886) & Aiyar (1916)
“A fort, with all munitions amply stored, / In time of need should good reserves afford.”
“That is the real fortress which is filled with stores of every kind and which is garrisoned by men that will make a brave defence.”
Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
எல்லாப் பொருளும் உடைத்தாய்= அகத்தோர்க்கு வேண்டும் பொருள்கள் எல்லாவற்றையும் உள்ளே உடைத்தாய்; இடத்து உதவும் நல்லாள் உடையது அரண்= புறத்தோரால் அழிவெய்தும் எல்லைக்கண், அஃது எய்தாவகை உதவிக்காக்கும் நல்ல வீரரையும் உடையதே அரணாவது.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Parimelazhagar explains that a fort contains every necessity required by those within and good defenders who help at the boundary point where outsiders might cause damage, guarding so that the harm does not occur.