Couplet: Ye foes stand not before my lord for many a one Who did my lord withstand, now stands in stone English Explanation: O my foes, stand not before my leader; (for) many are those who did so but afterwards stood (in the shape of) statues Transliteration: Ennaimun Nillanmin Thevvir Palarennai Munnindru Kalnin Ravar
Couplet: Who aims at elephant, though dart should fail, has greater praise Than he who woodland hare with winged arrow slays English Explanation: It is more pleasant to hold the dart that has missed an elephant than that which has hit hare in the forest Transliteration: Kaana Muyaleydha Ampinil Yaanai Pizhaiththavel Endhal Inidhu
Couplet: Fierceness in hour of strife heroic greatness shows; Its edge is kindness to our suffering foes English Explanation: The learned say that fierceness (incontest with a foe) is indeed great valour; but to become a benefactor in case of accident (to a foe) is the extreme (limit) of that valour Transliteration: Peraanmai Enpa Tharukanon Rutrakkaal Ooraanmai Matradhan Eqku
Couplet: At elephant he hurls the dart in hand; for weapon pressed, He laughs and plucks the javelin from his wounded breast English Explanation: The hero who after casting the lance in his hand on an elephant, comes (in search of another) will pluck the one (that sticks) in his body and laugh (exultingly) Transliteration: Kaivel Kalitrotu Pokki Varupavan Meyvel Pariyaa Nakum
Couplet: To hero fearless must it not defeat appear, If he but wink his eye when foemen hurls his spear English Explanation: Is it not a defeat to the valiant to wink and destroy their ferocious look when a lance in cast at them (by their foe) ? Transliteration: Vizhiththakan Velkona Teriya Azhiththimaippin Ottandro Vanka Navarkku
Couplet: The heroes, counting up their days, set down as vain Each day when they no glorious wound sustain English Explanation: The hero will reckon among wasted days all those on which he had not received severe wounds Transliteration: Vizhuppun Pataadhanaal Ellaam Vazhukkinul Vaikkumdhan Naalai Etuththu
Couplet: Who seek for world-wide fame, regardless of their life, The glorious clasp adorns, sign of heroic strife English Explanation: The fastening of ankle-ring by those who disire a world-wide renown and not (the safety of) their lives is like adorning (themselves) Transliteration: Suzhalum Isaiventi Ventaa Uyiraar Kazhalyaappuk Kaarikai Neerththu
Couplet: Fearless they rush where'er 'the tide of battle rolls'; The king's reproof damps not the ardour of their eager souls English Explanation: The heroes who are not afraid of losing their life in a contest will not cool their ardour, even if the king prohibits (their fighting) Transliteration: Urinuyir Anjaa Maravar Iraivan Serinum Seerkundral Ilar
Couplet: Who says they err, and visits them scorn, Who die and faithful guard the vow they've sworn English Explanation: Who would reproach with failure those who seal their oath with their death ? Transliteration: Izhaiththadhu Ikavaamaich Chaavaarai Yaare Pizhaiththadhu Orukkir Pavar
Couplet: If monarch's eyes o'erflow with tears for hero slain, Who would not beg such boon of glorious death to gain English Explanation: If (heroes) can so die as to fill with tears the eyes of their rulers, such a death deserves to be obtained even by begging Transliteration: Purandhaarkan Neermalkach Chaakirpin Saakkaatu Irandhukol Thakkadhu Utaiththu