Assessing Enmity
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vakaiyaṟintu taṟceytu taṟkāppa māyum / pakaivarkaṭ paṭṭa cerukku.
Understand the proper method, build yourself to match it, and protect yourself; then the confidence lodged in your enemies will disappear.
▸Other translations · Pope (1886) & Aiyar (1916)
“Know thou the way, then do thy part, thyself defend; / Thus shall the pride of those that hate thee have an end.”
“Form a wise plan, consolidate thy resources, and provide for thy defences: if thou do this, it will not be long before the pride of thy enemies is humbled to the dust.”
Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
வகை அறிந்து தற்காப்ப= தான் வினைசெய்யும் வகையை அறிந்து, அது முடிதற்கேற்பத் தன்னைப் பெருக்கி மறவி புகாமல் தன்னைக் காக்கவே; பகைவர்கண் பட்ட செருக்கு மாயும்= தன் பகைவர் மாட்டு உளதாய களிப்புக் கெடும்.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Parimelazhagar explains that one should understand how the action is to be done, increase one’s capacity enough to complete it, and guard oneself without allowing neglect; then the exultant confidence present in the enemies will disappear. This is proportionate readiness against active harm, not generalized suspicion.