Military Spirit
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uṟiṉuyi rañcā maṟava riṟaivaṉ / ceṟiṉuñ cīrkuṉṟa lilar.
Warriors who do not fear for life when battle comes do not lose their martial distinction, even when their ruler angrily restrains them.
▸Other translations · Pope (1886) & Aiyar (1916)
“Fearless they rush where'er 'the tide of battle rolls'; / The king's reproof damps not the ardour of their eager souls.”
“Behold the men of valour that fear not for their lives on the battlefield: they forget not their discipline even when their chief is severe upon them.”
Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
உறின் உயிர் அஞ்சா மறவர்= போர் பெறின் தம் உயிர்ப்பொருட்டு அஞ்சாது அதன்மேல் செல்லும் வீரர்; இறைவன் செறினும் சீர்குன்றல் இலர்= தம் இறைவன் அது வேண்டாம் என்று முனியினும், அவ் வீரமிகுதி குன்றார்.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Parimelazhagar explains that these warriors do not fear for their own lives when battle presents itself. Even if their ruler becomes angry and says the action is not wanted, the abundance of their martial valour does not diminish.