VALOUR

Once the brave soldier's eyes glare in anger at the foe, they do not wink again when the javelin is buried at him, for such winking would amount to fleeing from the battle.

Recalling his past, the brave soldier would deem those days lost wherein he did not receive grievous wounds in battle.

None may blame the hero for failure when he has dared his life in pursuance of his own challenge. The failure is not a fault, for the readiness to give up life is the fulfilment of the pledge.

Izhaiththal is to take an oath to do a dead.

Of what use is it to die amidst weeping relatives, and of age or sickness? One should eagerly seek a death that is followed by a different kind of tears, tears of grateful admiration from the eyes of the king whom one served.

As against the reiterated emphasis on equanimity and compassion that pervades the whole of Kural these couplets glorifying military Valour are remarkable. 

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