78.1 Pride of the Soldiers

 78.1 Pride of the Soldiers

Question:

How does a real hero react when his king disapproves of the war?

Answer:

Even when the king disapproves, the soldiers who

are ready to die on the battlefield will remain undaunted.               (Couplet – 778)

உறின்உயிர் அஞ்சா மறவர் இறைவன்

செறினும் சீர்குன்றல் இலர்.                                         (குறள் – 778)

Explanation:

Tamil society has always been very proud of their courage and celebrated the war heroes with great admiration. Wars were ubiquitous among the kings and the chieftains who ruled the Tamil country during Valluvar’s time and even before that. In Couplet 778, Valluvar says that even if the king asks the soldiers to stop fighting, the soldiers will always be ready to fight. In other words, the soldiers were fearless and always fond of fighting. The Tamil classic, Puranaanuuru has several poems describing the bravery of the Tamil soldiers. Two poems in Puranaanuuru describe the attitudes and readiness of the soldiers to fight.

In poem 31, the poet Kovur kizhaar says to Chola king Nalangkilli , “Your warriors wearing their anklets exult at the sound of the word ‘war,’ and they tell you that they will not hesitate to march even into countries deep in the jungle and far distant!”. In poem 68,  the same poet tells about  the same king to a bard, “ When he does not command his soldiers to move against an enemy when the omens  are bad and clearly indicate subversion may exist within his land, those warriors  of endless courage shout out “We will die here!” and in a street handsomely built for the passage of chariots, they slap their swelling arms to the rhythm of drum meant to quiet them down.”

Several other poems in Puranaanuuru describe the courage and bravery of the men and women of Tamil society in great detail. Interested readers can find detailed explanations for Puranaanuuru in my book புறநானூறு  - மூலமும் எளிய உரையும் பகுதி 1[1] & 2[2] or in the book The Four HundredSongs of War and Wisdom[3] authored by George L. Hart and Hank Heifetz.

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[1]. பிரபாகரன், இர. புறநானூறு மூலமும் எளிய உரையும் (பகுதி 1). காவ்யா பதிப்பகம், சென்னை, 2012.

[2]. ________________. புறநானூறு மூலமும் எளிய உரையும் (பகுதி 2). காவ்யா பதிப்பகம், சென்னை, 2013.

[3]. Hart, George L. and Heifetz, Hank. (1999) The Four Hundred Songs of War and Wisdom. Columbia University Press, New York: 1999, page 279

 

 

77.1 Glory of a Good Defense Force

 77.1 Glory of a Good Defense Force

Question:

              What is the most critical asset of a king?

Answer:

A well-organized defense force with all its components

and undaunted by setbacks is the chief among

the assets of a king.                                                                            (Couplet – 761)

உறுப்பமைந்து ஊறஞ்சா வெல்படை வேந்தன்

வெறுக்கையுள் எல்லாம் தலை.                                    (குறள் – 761)

Explannation:

              In Couplet 381, Valluvar says a king with a defense force, subjects, wealth, ministers, allies, and forts is a lion among monarchs. Here, the defense force is listed as the first thing a king must possess. In Couplet 761, Valluvar emphasizes the characteristics of the defense force. According to him, the defense force must have all the components, and the warriors must be brave to meet any contingency on the battlefield.

 

              It should be noted that Valluvar does not mention the specific components of the defense force. The components of the defense force of a nation vary from time to time. For example, during Valluvar’s period, the four components of a defense force were the infantry, cavalry, chariots, and elephants. These days, the components of the Indian defense force are the army, navy, and air force. Until recently, the US defense force consisted of the army, the navy, the air force, the coast guard, and the marines. Two years ago, President Donald Trump added the Space Force to the US defense force. It appears that since Valluvar recognized that the components of defense might change over time, he did not specify the components.

 

 

 

 

77.2 Glory of a Good Defense Force

 77.2 Glory of a Good Defense Force

Question:

              What is critical for a military to be successful?

Answer:

Even if a military has a large number resolute warriors,

without a good commander it cannot prevail.                          (Couplet – 770)

நிலைமக்கள் சால உடைத்தெனினும் தானை

தலைமக்கள் இல்வழி இல்.                                          (குறள் – 770)

Explanation:

              In Couplet 770, Valluvar says that even if a military unit is composed of courageous warriors, it cannot be successful on the battlefield if it does not have able commanders. Napoleon Bonaparte is reported to have said, “There are no bad soldiers; only bad generals.” Couplet 770 is very similar to Couplet 740, where Valluvar mentions that despite having all the resources, a country is worthless if it does not have a good ruler. Couplets 770 and 740 emphasize the importance of leadership.

76.1 On Making Wealth

 76.1 On Making Wealth

Question:

              What makes worthless men worthy?

Answer:

There is nothing more precious than wealth which

converts worthless men worthy.                                  (Couplet – 751)

பொருளல் லவரைப் பொருளாகச் செய்யும்

பொருளல்லது இல்லை பொருள்.                                 (குறள் – 751)

 

Explanation:

In general, those who are poor and without wealth, those who lack morals and integrity, and those who are idle and irresponsible without work/career are not respected and are considered worthless. But even worthless men are respected and recognized if they are wealthy. The idea in couplet 751 is that in this material world, even worthless men become men of consequence when they acquire wealth. Therefore, acquiring wealth is essential, not to be despised.

 

76.2 On Making Wealth

 76.2 On Making Wealth

 

Question:

              What kind of wealth yields righteousness and happiness?

Answer:

The wealth acquired with a  knowledge of the proper means  and

 without a taint of evil will yield righteousness and happiness.               (Couplet – 754)

அறன்ஈனும் இன்பமும் ஈனும் திறனறிந்து

தீதின்றி வந்த பொருள்.                                                         (குறள் – 754)

Explanation: According to Couplet 754, one should be knowledgeable enough to distinguish between the right way and the wrong to acquire wealth, and the wealth acquired in the right way will lead to virtue and happiness. Valluvar is particular that means should justify the end and not the other way. It should be noted that in Couplet 656, he emphasizes purity in action by saying, “One should not do anything that will be condemned by the great men, even to feed one’s starving mother.” Also, in Couplet 113, he says, “However useful, ill-gotten wealth should be discarded at once.”

These days corruption is rampant in many countries. Elected officials accumulate wealth in a short time disproportionate to their income. Although they are temporarily happy about their ill-gotten wealth, when their party is not in power, the new ruling party exposes their crime and takes legal action. Even if no legal is taken against them, people who make their wealth through evil means will always be fearful, unhappy, and restless that someday they might end up in trouble. 

76.3 On Making Wealth

 76.3 On Making Wealth

Question:

Is there a connection between love and wealth?

Answer:

Compassion, the child delivered by love grows

under the care of the rich nurse of wealth.                   (Couplet – 757)

அருளென்னும் அன்பீன் குழவி பொருளென்னும்

செல்வச் செவிலியால் உண்டு.                                     (குறள் – 757)

Explanation:

         Valluvar uses the word “love” in a narrow sense to mean the affection, attachment, and kindness among family members, relatives, friends, and other acquaintances. In Couplet 757, he defines “compassion” as the offspring of love. Compassion is when a person feels empathy for another person who is suffering and then takes action to alleviate the suffering of the other person. When a compassionate person wants to feed the poor, educate the poor children, and provide medical support to the sick, he needs money. As Valluvar says in Couplet 247, “There is no place in this world for people without wealth.” In this material world, for compassion to be meaningful and effective, a certain amount of wealth is essential for a person who exercises compassion. Therefore, there is a definite connection between compassion and wealth.

 

76.4 On Making Wealth

 76.4 On Making Wealth

Question:

Why should one accumulate wealth?

Answer:

One should accumulate wealth as there is no sharper

weapon than that to destroy the arrogance of the enemies.               (Couplet – 759)

செய்க பொருளைச் செறுநர் செருக்கறுக்கும்

எஃகதனிற் கூரிய தில்.                                                           (குறள் – 759)

Explanation:

Valluvar realizes the importance of wealth. In Couplet 247, he says, “There is no place in this world for people without wealth.”  In Couplet 759, he encourages the accumulation of wealth by saying that there is no sharper weapon than wealth to destroy the arrogance of the enemies. If a country is rich, it will have sophisticated and powerful weaponry that will discourage other countries from waging war against it. For example, the USA spends much more than any other country in the world on defense-related projects and has superior weapons. Therefore, other countries would not dare to engage in direct warfare with the USA. A business with a solid financial position can afford to hire and retain exceptionally talented people and compete effectively against the competition. In addition to outsmarting the competition, a financially strong business can even buy out its competition. Therefore, accumulating wealth is essential for a country as well as a business enterprise. In the case of individuals also, having wealth is an added strength to him.

75.1 Fortress

 75.1 Fortress

Question:

What are the features of an ideal fortress?

Answer:

A fortress is that which is impregnable and well-suited for

self-defense of the inmates with required provisions inside.           (Couplet – 745)

கொளற்கரிதாய்க் கொண்டகூழ்த் தாகி அகத்தார்

நிலைக்கெளிதாம் நீரது அரண்.                                        (குறள் – 745)

Explanation:

              In Couplet 745, Valluvar says that a well-planned fortress of a king should be such that it is impregnable so that it will deter the enemies by demotivating them. Further, the fortress should have the necessary food and other accessories that the inmates of the fortress require for a reasonable period. Although the fortress described by Valluvar would have been ideal during his time, it is of no use in today’s warfare.   In poem 109 of Purananuru[1], the poet Kabilar describes King Paari’s Parambu hill, where his fortress was situated. Kapilar’s description matches Valluvar’s description of an ideal fortress.

 

About 2000 years ago, Tamil Nadu (the southeastern state of India) was ruled by three kings and a few chieftains. A chieftain named Paari was a brave fighter with a powerful army. He was known for his generosity, and he became very famous. Three kings were interested in establishing a relationship with him. They came one after another wanting to marry his daughters. Paari refused to give his daughters to any of the three kings. The three kings became angry at Paari and were also very jealous. Each of the three kings had fought with Paari, and they were defeated. Finally, they joined together and waged war against Paari. They besieged the Parambu hill upon which Paari’s fortress was situated.

Paari had a loyal friend named Kabilar, who was also the poet laureate in Paari’s court. Kabilar was also an advisor to Paari. At one time,  the three kings besieged Parambu hill. Kabilar approached them and said that no matter how many days they surrounded Parambu hill, tied their elephants in all the trees in Parambu hill, and spread their chariots all over the hill, it would be impossible for them to seize control of Paari’s fortress and win him. According to Kabliar, the Parambu hill is very fertile and can provide adequate food for Paari and his soldiers for a very long time. In particular, Kabilar mentioned that the Parambu hill has plenty of bamboo rice, ripe jackfruits, thick Valli roots, and honey. Kabilar ridiculed the three kings by saying that the only way they could win Paari was to come like singers and their wives to come like dancers and beg for gifts from Paari. The three kings apparently took Kabilar’s advice, approached Paari, and killed him. The manner in which Kablilar describes the self-sufficient and secure nature of Paari’s fortress is very similar to what Valluvar says in Couplet 745 about an ideal fortress.

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[1]. Hart, George L. and Heifetz, Hank. (1999) The Four Hundred Songs of War and Wisdom. 

Columbia University Press, New York: 1999, page 74

 

74.1 Ideal Country

 74.1 Ideal Country

 

Question:

              What are some of the characteristics of an ideal country?

 

Answer:

An ideal country is one that has an unfailing yield, competent

 Citizenry, and discerning people with wealth.                                        (kural – 731)

தள்ளா விளையுளும் தக்காரும் தாழ்விலாச்

செல்வரும் சேர்வது நாடு.                                                      (குறள் – 731)

 

Explanation:

Unfailing yield implies that the soil is fertile, there is sufficient and timely rain and those who are engaged in cultivation are meticulous in carrying out their duties. If the yield is unfailing, then there will be adequate food which is a basic necessity for the citizens of the country. During the days of Valluvar, agriculture was the primary occupation in the country. But, in the context of modern times, “unfailing yield” can be expanded to include the uninterrupted supply of all goods and services needed for the citizens of the country. The competent citizenry would include capable people with intelligence, innovation, and enthusiasm to work hard to produce various products and offer services required for the people of the country. This interpretation allows the inclusion of labor as well as management in the category of the competent citizenry. Discerning people with ample wealth can afford to provide the necessary capital essential for the production of goods.

In his commentary on Thirukkural, Dr. S. M.  Diaz[1] suggests that this kural lends itself to interpretation that is consistent with theories of later-day economists like Adam Smith (1723 – 1790) and Alfred Marshal (1842 – 1924). Adam Smith’s magnum opus, “The Wealth of Nations,” is considered the first modern work on economics.  Alfred Marshal’s “Principles of Economics (1890)” was the dominant economic textbook in England for many years. Adam Smith and Alfred Marshal are considered the pioneers in the field of economics. Adam Smith mentions land, labor, and capital as the three prime factors of production. Subsequently, Alfred Marshal adds organization as the fourth factor of production. Suppose Valluvar’s mention of the competent citizenry can be interpreted to include labor and management. Then it is consistent with Alfred Marshal’s view that land, labor, capital, and organization are necessary for the efficient production of goods. Based on this revised interpretation, the above kural can be restated as follows: An ideal country is one with productive land, competent labor and an organization, and discerning people with wealth.

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[1]. Diaz, S.M.  (2000) Thirukkural. Volumes 1 &2.  Chennai, India:  Ramanandha Adigalar Foundation.

 

74.2 Ideal Country

 74.2 Ideal Country

 

Question:

Are there additional characteristics other than what is mentioned in Couplet 731 of an ideal country?

 

Answer:

Vast alluring wealth, absence of calamities, and bountiful

yield make an ideal country.                                                            (Couplet – 732)

பெரும்பொருளால் பெட்டக்க தாகி அருங்கேட்டால்

ஆற்ற விளைவது நாடு.                                                          (குறள் – 732)

 

Explanation:

Undoubtedly, a country with vast wealth, free from calamities, and abundant yield can be considered an ideal country, and such a country will be admired by everyone. But is there any country that fits Valluvar’s definition? The one country that is admired for its vast wealth and is the envy of the rest of the world is the United States of America. The USA is considered the land of opportunity. Over the past two centuries, millions of people from other countries have migrated legally and settled in the USA. Thousands of people sneak illegally into the USA each day, hoping for a better life. However, the USA has not been free of calamities. It does suffer from earthquakes, torrential rain and tornadoes, heavy snowfall, forest fire, and other natural disasters. But the resilience of the people, the nation’s abundant wealth, and the government’s emergency management policies and practices help to overcome these calamities. The vast size of the country and the fertility of the soil combined with the industry and enterprising nature of the people have contributed to the abundance in the USA and helped her to gain the admiration of other countries. Although the USA may not be an ideal country, it fits Valluvar’s definition of an ideal country than many other countries.

 

74.3 Ideal Country

 74.3 Ideal Country

 

Question:

Apart from what is mentioned in Couplets 731 and 732, is there another criterion

necessary to consider a country an ideal country?

 

Answer:

An ideal country is one that bears every burden that befalls

yet pays in full all the taxes owed to the government.                           (Couplet - 733)

பொறையொருங்கு மேல்வருங்கால் தாங்கி இறைவற்கு

இறையொருங்கு நேர்வது நாடு.                                             (குறள் – 733)

 

Explanation:

The Center for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters publishes an Annual Disaster Review to provide valuable information on the occurrence of natural disasters and their impacts on society. According to their report issued in 2014[1], “China, the United States, the Philippines, Indonesia, and India are the five countries most frequently hit by natural disasters. For years these same countries have regularly featured at the top of this annual list.” Japan should also be included in this list. Japan has experienced more than 60 earthquakes of magnitude 6.0 or higher on the Richter scale in the past 500 years. Yet, the people in these countries have been paying their taxes regularly, and there has been no revolt against taxes. So, several countries routinely pass the test proposed by Valluvar in Couplet 733.

 

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[1]. http://www.air-worldwide.com/Blog/Five-Countries-Most-Frequently-Hit-by-Natural-Disasters/

 

74.4 Ideal Country

 74.4 Ideal Country

 

Question:

Are there other requirements for a country to be considered ideal?

Answer:

An ideal country is one where people are free from

starvation and epidemics, and the country is

not harassed by enemies.                                                                                (kural – 734)

An ideal nation is one that does not have warring factions,

destructive internal strife, and murderous gangsters.                          (kural – 735) 

It is the best among countries that knows no devastation,

and even if any devastation should occur, its prosperity

does not decline.                                                                                                   (Kural – 736)

Surface water, underground water, useful mountains,

rivers, and strong fortifications are five essential

parts of a country.                                                                                             (kural – 737)

Five ornaments of a country are the health of the citizens,

 the wealth of the country, rich harvests, people’s happiness,

and people’s safety.                                                                                          (kural – 738)

 

 

உறுபசியும் ஓவாப் பிணியும் செறுபகையும்

சேரா தியல்வது நாடு.                                                            (குறள் – 734)

பல்குழுவும் பாழ்செய்யும் உட்பகையும் வேந்தலைக்கும்

கொல்குறும்பும் இல்லது நாடு.                                               (குறள் – 735)

கேடறியாக் கெட்ட இடத்தும் வளங்குன்றா

நாடென்ப நாட்டின் தலை.                                                     (குறள் – 736)

இருபுனலும் வாய்ந்த மலையும் வருபுனலும்

வல்லரணும் நாட்டிற்கு உறுப்பு.                                             (குறள் – 737)

பிணியின்மை செல்வம் விளைவின்பம் ஏமம்

அணியென்ப நாட்டிவ் வைந்து.                                              (குறள் – 738)

 

Explanation:

The hallmarks of an ideal country are the absence of starvation, epidemics, frequent conflicts, warring factions, internal strife, murderous gangsters, and diseases. Also, prosperity that does not decline despite devastations, plentiful water from multiple sources, wealth, rich harvests, people’s happiness, and security are also essential requirements for a country to be considered an ideal country. All these lofty features will undoubtedly make a country the best place for people to live. The question is, are there countries that meet all the criteria listed above?

             

The most comprehensive and practical analysis of which countries are the best to live in comes from the United Nations Human Development Report. Composed by the United Nations, this annual report released in 2022[1] expresses global satisfaction with life, offering an overview of what it's like to be alive on Earth. It is one of the top resources for determining which countries have the happiest, healthiest, and most stable populations compared to everywhere else in the world. Essentially, the Human Development Report summarizes how people feel about our planet as a whole. Then it goes on to discuss, in detail, among the 200 or so countries, which countries are best to live in, thus comparing the most satisfied populations with the most unhappy countries in the world.

The variables that this official UN report takes into account include equality among genders, literacy, average life expectancy, and financial stability. According to this report, the top ten countries are listed below:

1 - Norway
2 - Ireland (tie)
2 - Switzerland (tie)
4 - Iceland (tie)
4 - Hong Kong, China (SAR)(tie)
6 - Germany
7 - Sweden
8 - Australia (tie)
8 - Netherlands (tie)
10 - Denmark

According to this report, the USA is ranked 17^th, and India is ranked 131^st.

 

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[1] . https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/best-countries-to-live-in