INTRODUCTION TO
THE STUDY OF TIRUVALLUVAR
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A Lecture by Prof.Avvai Duraisami Pillai
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Part – 64
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உறுப்பு அமைந்து ஊறஞ்சா வெல்படை வேந்தன்
வெறுக்கையுள் எல்லாம் தலை. (61)
As no artillery or any other scientific weapons was known to the people in those days, man-power alone was felt important and the kings were interested only in the number and strength of the warriors they employed. Unassailable faith in the kings and in susceptibility to any kind of sabotaging by enemies were the prominent qualities of the army. Heroism, sense of honour, sincere attachment to high traditions of military life and clear knowledge of the science and technique of warfare were the necessary qualifications of the army.
மறம் மானம் மாண்ட வழிச்செலவு தேற்றம்
என நான்கே ஏமம் படைக்கு (62)
Valluvar emphasizes upon the role and the efficiency of the generals of each battalion, however well equipped and magnificently constituted it may be. Success in action and victory in defeating the army are dependent upon the lead or command of- the military generals. Valluvar of coarse recognizes, that the essential quality of a true warrior is fearlessness but at the same time he affirms that the chivalry of the warrior attains glory when his action is attended with mercy and devotion to the weak and enfeebled. Ruthless killing of the enemy is indeed the main objective of the warfare and the mind of every warrior who is engaged in the battle becomes ferocious with feelings of animal spirit. When the enemy is perforce enfeebled or disabled, the fighting warrior must at once subdue his murderous attitude and with human feelings, Tender to him such help as would be necessary then. In the couplet,
பேராண்மை என்ப தறுகண் ஒன்று உற்றக்கால்
ஊராண்மை மற்றதன் எஃகு (63)
Valluvar prescribes this act of chivalry as the most important characteristic of each warrior. Supposing the advancing warrior winks at the approach of the Spear thrown at him by his antagonist, then Valluvar pronounces that it tantamount to defeat and retreat.
The next department of the State called Kudi (குடி) is responsible for.the maintenance of law and order. The real authors of making and breaking of law and order are the people of the state. If their civic-consciousness is properly trimmed and fostered, permanent peace and order will ultimately prevail and the running of the Government will be smooth and pleasant. To this effect each member of the society must realise his responsibility and duty towards his family which is the basic unit of the society and to the state which is the real defender of his rights for life on earth- It is therefore prescribed that a good citizen must possess proper conduct of social virtue, truthfulness and modesty. His civic environment must always be full of cheerfulness, charity, sweet and soft exchange of thoughts and words and equal treatment of the fellow members of the society. No individual who wants to safeguard the noble position his family enjoys in the society and the respectability of its members will never stoop to do mean things even though they fetch him riches beyond avarice.
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