Thirukkural-On Wealth-On Kingship-Kural 383

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There are three essential qualities, Alertness, Learning and Bravery, which the king must acquire if he wants to be counted among the distinguished rulers of the land. The four traits referred to in Kural 382 were natural and inborn traits only to be developed by education; the present three are to be acquired through appropriate training.

A good ruler could not afford to be idle, slothful or even listless. He should be alert and responsive to developments as they take place.

The word 'Thoongaamai' literally means not sleeping. The king should not go to sleep over his royal responsibilities, which, in other words, means that he should for ever be alert and watchful about affairs of state and everything that happens around him that is likely to have an impact on these. And equally important is the need for 'Thunivudaimai' or intrepidity. The idea here is not just blind courage, but the capacity to analyze the facts and circumstances of any situation and taking a bold decision, as explained by Manakudavar.

The idea of learning, as it applies to the king, has been dealt with in more than one chapter that follow. In fact about the importance of learning for a king, too much cannot be said. That is why Plato conceived of the Philosopher King. But Valluvar would rather say that a person chosen for kingly responsibilities may be suitably educated and trained to fill his role.