TIRUKKURAL, Mysticism, reading, forums, Numerology, Sun Signs, Divination

Posts: 4397 · Posted: Sat Jul 12, 2008 7:48 am

2.3 The Essentials of a State

2.3.1 The Land

731
Where spreads fertility unfailing, where resides a band,
Of virtuous men, and those of ample wealth, call that a 'land'
A kingdom is that in which (those who carry on) a complete cultivation, virtuous persons, and merchants with inexhaustible wealth, dwell together.

732
That is a 'land' which men desire for wealth's abundant share,
Yielding rich increase, where calamities are rare.
A kingdom is that which is desire for its immense wealth, and which grows greatly in prosperity, being free from destructive causes.

733
When burthens press, it bears; Yet, With unfailing hand
To king due tribute pays: that is the 'land'
A kingdom is that which can bear any burden that may be pressed on it (from adjoining kingdoms) and (yet) pay the full tribute to its sovereign.

734
That is a 'land' whose peaceful annals know,
Nor famine fierce, nor wasting plague, nor ravage of the foe.
A kingdom is that which continues to be free from excessive starvation, irremediable epidemics, and destructive foes.

735
From factions free, and desolating civil strife, and band
Of lurking murderers that king afflict, that is the 'land'.
A kingdom is that which is without various (irregular) associations, destructive internal enemies, and murderous savages who (sometimes) harass the sovereign.

736
Chief of all lands is that, where nought disturbs its peace;
Or, if invaders come, still yields its rich increase.
The learned say that the best kingdom is that which knows no evil (from its foes), and, if injured (at all), suffers no diminution in its fruitfulness.

737
Waters from rains and springs, a mountain near, and waters thence;
These make a land, with fortress' sure defence.
The constituents of a kingdom are the two waters (from above and below), well situated hills and an undestructible fort.

738
A country's jewels are these five: unfailing health,
Fertility, and joy, a sure defence, and wealth.
Freedom from epidemics, wealth, produce, happiness and protection (to subjects); these five, the learned, say, are the ornaments of a kingdom.

739
That is a land that yields increase unsought,
That is no land whose gifts with toil are bought.
The learned say that those are kingdom whose wealth is not laboured for, and those not, whose wealth is only obtained through labour.

740
Though blest with all these varied gifts' increase,
A land gains nought that is not with its king at peace.
Although in possession of all the above mentioned excellences, these are indeed of no use to a country, in the absence of harmony between the sovereign and the sujects.

2.3.2. The Fortification

741
A fort is wealth to those who act against their foes;
Is wealth to them who, fearing, guard themselves from woes.
A fort is an object of importance to those who march (against their foes) as well as to those who through fear (of pursuers) would seek it for shelter.

742
A fort is that which owns fount of waters crystal clear,
An open space, a hill, and shade of beauteous forest near.
A fort is that which has everlasting water, plains, mountains and cool shady forests.

743
Height, breadth, strength, difficult access:
Science declares a fort must these possess.
The learned say that a fortress is an enclosure having these four (qualities) viz., height, breadth, strength and inaccessibility.

744
A fort must need but slight defence, yet ample be,
Defying all the foeman's energy.
A fort is that which has an extensive space within, but only small places to be guarded, and such as can destroy the courage of besieging foes.

745
Impregnable, containing ample stores of food,
A fort for those within, must be a warlike station good.
A fort is that which cannot be captured, which abounds in suitable provisions, and affords a position of easy defence to its inmates.

746
A fort, with all munitions amply stored,
In time of need should good reserves afford.
A fort is that which has all (needful) things, and excellent heroes that can help it against destruction (by foes).

747
A fort should be impregnable to foes who gird it round,
Or aim there darts from far, or mine beneath the ground.
A fort is that which cannot be captured by blockading, assaulting, or undermining it.

748
Howe'er the circling foe may strive access to win,
A fort should give the victory to those who guard within.
That is a fort whose inmates are able to overcome without losing their ground, even abler men who have besieged it.

749
At outset of the strife a fort should foes dismay;
And greatness gain by deeds in every glorious day.
A fort is that which derives excellence from the stratagems made (by its inmates) to defeat their enemies in the battlefield.

750
Howe'er majestic castled walls may rise,
To craven souls no fortress strength supplies.
Although a fort may possess all (the above-said) excellence, it is, as it were without these, if its inmates possess not the excellence of action.

2.3.3. Way of Accumulating Wealth

751
Nothing exists save wealth, that can
Change man of nought to worthy man.
Besides wealth there is nothing that can change people of no importance into those of (some) importance.

752
Those who have nought all will despise;
All raise the wealthy to the skies.
All despise the poor; (but) all praise the rich.

753
Wealth, the lamp unfailing, speeds to every land,
Dispersing darkness at its lord's command.
The imperishable light of wealth goes into regions desired (by its owner) and destroys the darkness (of enmity therein).

754
Their wealth, who blameless means can use aright,
Is source of virtue and of choice delight.
The wealth acquired with a knowledge of the proper means and without foul practices will yield virtue and happiness.

755
Wealth gained by loss of love and grace,
Let man cast off from his embrace.
(Kings) should rather avoid than seek the accumulation of wealth which does not flow in with mercy and love.

756
Wealth that falls to him as heir, wealth from the kingdom's dues,
The spoils of slaughtered foes; these are the royal revenues.
Unclaimed wealth, wealth acquired by taxes, and wealth (got) by conquest of foes are (all) the wealth of the king.

757
'Tis love that kindliness as offspring bears:
And wealth as bounteous nurse the infant rears.
The child mercy which is borne by love grows under the care of the rich nurse of wealth.

758
As one to view the strife of elephants who takes his stand,
On hill he's climbed, is he who works with money in his hand.
An undertaking of one who has wealth in one's hands is like viewing an elephant-fight from a hill-top.

759
Make money! Foeman's insolence o'ergrown
To lop away no keener steel is known.
Accumulate wealth; it will destroy the arrogance of (your) foes; there is no weapon sharper than it.

760
Who plenteous store of glorious wealth have gained,
By them the other two are easily obtained.
To those who have honestly acquired an abundance of riches, the other two, (virtue and pleasure) are things easy (of acquisition).