Sage Thiru-valluvar
"The Bard of Universal Man"
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Chapter - 49 : Knowing the fitting Time
 

Translation(s)

A crow will conquer owl in broad daylight; (similarly) a king who would crush the foe needs fitting time to fight.

Explanation

The owl is blind in day time and thus weak.  The crow, who is weaker than owl, can win over him by fighting in day time. Similarly the king must wait for or choose the correct time to fight.

Translation(s)

Ordered effort made is the bond that binds fortune strongly (with person making the effort) still strictly observant of the aid of favoring season.

Explanation

Translation is not clear

Translation(s)

Can any work be hard in very fact if men use fitting means in timely act?

Explanation

Simplify. Exact meaning not clear

Translation(s)

The dominion of the pendant world can be won by action done in fitting time and place.

Explanation

Somehow “fitting time” became an astrological issue also. There was and still is so much emphasis on “muhurata” for starting actions.

[Use of the adjective ‘pendant’ for world is queer. Did Thiru-valluvar mean world is hanging or did he mean that it was round? Did he mean that it is something to be won like a pendant that hangs in an ornament?

Translation(s)

Those who think to subjugate the pendant world itself must wait for fitting time with unruffled mind.

 

Translation(s)

The men of mighty power repress their hidden energies as fighting ram recoils to rush on foe with heavier stress.

 

Translation(s)

The glorious ones make no outward show at once of wrath enkindled. They bide their time while hidden fires within them glow.

 

Translation(s)

Let them bear with patience if they see foes’ detested form. When at last they spy the fateful hour – the head lies there.

Explanation

This couplet recommends the most violent action till now. Thiru-valluvar was not a saint preaching in isolation not to kill to not to eat flesh. He was a practical person. He knew that there were foes, there were situations where either you have to kill or you would get killed. His gospel covers all these eventualities. Only for ascetics he preaches not to kill and not to eat meat.

Translation(s)

When hardest gain of opportunity is at last won, let the hardest deed be done with promptitude.

Explanation

This couplet appears to be telling that do not hesitate to kill – though it is hardest deed – when the right opportunity or time comes.  Of course, the killing should have been warranted or essential in the first place.

Translation(s)

As heron stands with folded wings, similarly wait in waiting hour; as heron snaps its prey when fortune smiles, put forth your power.

Explanation

The heron is said to stand absolutely motionless on one leg in water – the other leg is folded under its wings - while it waits the fish to draw near. The fish comes near, deceived by the motionlessness of the heron and that is the moment the heron quickly snaps the fish. Somewhat brutal but it needs to eat fish for survival – that is god’s design. Similarly the king must lie for his foe.

Summary Note

The message is on not reacting to enemy on spur of the moment. Find a time when he is weak or relaxed and then attack. Timing is applicable in business also:

"There is time for everything."
- Thomas Edison

"I am aware that success is more than a good idea. It is timing too."
- Anita Roddick

A Drawing of Thiruvalluvar drawn by Writing His 1330 Verses in Tamil,
You Can Buy at http:\\www.ArtWanted.com\Rajeswari
Artist: Rajeswari Raja.

References