The Fortification

A fort is wealth to those who act against their foes;
Is wealth to them who, fearing, guard themselves from woes

Explanation
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.

Tamil Transliteration
Aatru Pavarkkum Aranporul Anjiththar
Potru Pavarkkum Porul.

A fort is that which owns fount of waters crystal clear,
An open space, a hill, and shade of beauteous forest near

Explanation
A fort is that which has everlasting water, plains, mountains and cool shady forests.

Tamil Transliteration
Manineerum Mannum Malaiyum Aninizhar
Kaatum Utaiya Tharan.

Height, breadth, strength, difficult access:
Science declares a fort must these possess

Explanation
The learned say that a fortress is an enclosure having these four (qualities) viz, height, breadth, strength and inaccessibility.

Tamil Transliteration
Uyarvakalam Thinmai Arumaiin Naankin
Amaivaran Endruraikkum Nool.

A fort must need but slight defence, yet ample be,
Defying all the foeman's energy

Explanation
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.

Tamil Transliteration
Sirukaappir Peritaththa Thaaki Urupakai
Ookkam Azhippa Tharan.

Impregnable, containing ample stores of food,
A fort for those within, must be a warlike station good

Explanation
A fort is that which cannot be captured, which abounds in suitable provisions, and affords a position of easy defence to its inmates.

Tamil Transliteration
Kolarkaridhaaik Kontakoozhth Thaaki Akaththaar
Nilaikkelidhaam Neeradhu Aran.

A fort, with all munitions amply stored,
In time of need should good reserves afford

Explanation
A fort is that which has all (needful) things, and excellent heroes that can help it against destruction (by foes).

Tamil Transliteration
Ellaap Porulum Utaiththaai Itaththudhavum
Nallaal Utaiyadhu Aran.

A fort should be impregnable to foes who gird it round,
Or aim there darts from far, or mine beneath the ground

Explanation
A fort is that which cannot be captured by blockading, assaulting, or undermining it.

Tamil Transliteration
Mutriyum Mutraa Therindhum Araippatuththum
Patrar Kariyadhu Aran.

Howe'er the circling foe may strive access to win,
A fort should give the victory to those who guard within

Explanation
That is a fort whose inmates are able to overcome without losing their ground, even abler men who have besieged it.

Tamil Transliteration
Mutraatri Mutri Yavaraiyum Patraatrip
Patriyaar Velvadhu Aran.

At outset of the strife a fort should foes dismay;
And greatness gain by deeds in every glorious day

Explanation
A fort is that which derives excellence from the stratagems made (by its inmates) to defeat their enemies in the battlefield.

Tamil Transliteration
Munaimukaththu Maatralar Saaya Vinaimukaththu
Veereydhi Maanta Tharan.

Howe'er majestic castled walls may rise,
To craven souls no fortress strength supplies

Explanation
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.

Tamil Transliteration
Enaimaatchith Thaakiyak Kannum Vinaimaatchi
Illaarkan Illadhu Aran.