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.