The Excellence of an Army
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aṭaṟṟakaiyu māṟṟalu milleṉiṉun tāṉai / paṭaittakaiyāṟ pāṭu peṟum.
Even without offensive courage or defensive endurance, an army may gain prestige through its imposing appearance.
▸Other translations · Pope (1886) & Aiyar (1916)
“Though not in war offensive or defensive skilled; / An army gains applause when well equipped and drilled.”
“Superiority of armament is a compensation when the army is lacking in dash or steadiness.”
Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
தானை= தானை; அடல்தகையும் ஆறறலும் இல் எனினும்= பகைமேல் தான் சென்று அடும் தறுகண்மையும் அது தன்மேல் வந்தால் பொறுக்கும் ஆற்றலும் இல்லையாயினும்; படைத் தகையால் பாடு பெறும்= தன் தோற்றப் பொலிவானே பெருமை எய்தும்.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Parimelazhagar says that even if an army lacks both courage to initiate attack and endurance when attacked, it may still gain prestige through the splendour of its appearance. The line exposes a tension between image and capability; it does not claim image proves competence.