Couplet: A fort is wealth to those who act against their foes; Is wealth to them who, fearing, guard themselves from woes English 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 Transliteration: Aatru Pavarkkum Aranporul Anjiththar Potru Pavarkkum Porul
Couplet: A fort is that which owns fount of waters crystal clear, An open space, a hill, and shade of beauteous forest near English Explanation: A fort is that which has everlasting water, plains, mountains and cool shady forests Transliteration: Manineerum Mannum Malaiyum Aninizhar Kaatum Utaiya Tharan
Couplet: Height, breadth, strength, difficult access: Science declares a fort must these possess English Explanation: The learned say that a fortress is an enclosure having these four (qualities) viz, height, breadth, strength and inaccessibility Transliteration: Uyarvakalam Thinmai Arumaiin Naankin Amaivaran Endruraikkum Nool
Couplet: A fort must need but slight defence, yet ample be, Defying all the foeman's energy English 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 Transliteration: Sirukaappir Peritaththa Thaaki Urupakai Ookkam Azhippa Tharan
Couplet: Impregnable, containing ample stores of food, A fort for those within, must be a warlike station good English Explanation: A fort is that which cannot be captured, which abounds in suitable provisions, and affords a position of easy defence to its inmates Transliteration: Kolarkaridhaaik Kontakoozhth Thaaki Akaththaar Nilaikkelidhaam Neeradhu Aran
Couplet: A fort, with all munitions amply stored, In time of need should good reserves afford English Explanation: A fort is that which has all (needful) things, and excellent heroes that can help it against destruction (by foes) Transliteration: Ellaap Porulum Utaiththaai Itaththudhavum Nallaal Utaiyadhu Aran
Couplet: A fort should be impregnable to foes who gird it round, Or aim there darts from far, or mine beneath the ground English Explanation: A fort is that which cannot be captured by blockading, assaulting, or undermining it Transliteration: Mutriyum Mutraa Therindhum Araippatuththum Patrar Kariyadhu Aran
Couplet: Howe'er the circling foe may strive access to win, A fort should give the victory to those who guard within English Explanation: That is a fort whose inmates are able to overcome without losing their ground, even abler men who have besieged it Transliteration: Mutraatri Mutri Yavaraiyum Patraatrip Patriyaar Velvadhu Aran
Couplet: At outset of the strife a fort should foes dismay; And greatness gain by deeds in every glorious day English Explanation: A fort is that which derives excellence from the stratagems made (by its inmates) to defeat their enemies in the battlefield Transliteration: Munaimukaththu Maatralar Saaya Vinaimukaththu Veereydhi Maanta Tharan
Couplet: Howe'er majestic castled walls may rise, To craven souls no fortress strength supplies English 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 Transliteration: Enaimaatchith Thaakiyak Kannum Vinaimaatchi Illaarkan Illadhu Aran