பாகனுக்கு அடங்காததும், தன்னை எதிர்த்துப் பிடித்த வீரனைத் தன் தந்தத்தால் தாக்கித் தூக்கியதுமான ஆண்யானை, கால் புதையும் சேற்றில் சிக்கிக் கொண்டால், நரிகூட அதைக் கொன்றுவிடும்.

வேலேந்திய வீரர்களை வீழ்த்துகின்ற ஆற்றல் படைத்த யானை, சேற்றில் சிக்கி விட்டால் அதனை நரிகள் கூடக் கொன்று விடும்

வேல் ஏந்திய வீரரைக் கோர்த்தெடுத்த கொம்பு உடைய யானையையும், கால் ஆழும் சேற்று நில்த்தில் அகப்பட்ட போது நரிகள் கொன்றுவிடும்.

A fox can kill a fearless, warrior-faced elephant, if it go into mud in which its legs sink down

Kural 500 speaks metaphorically, using the imagery of a fox and an elephant, to emphasize the importance of situational advantage and the danger of underestimating one's opponent. In this verse, the 'elephant' symbolizes a powerful entity, be it an individual, a community, or a nation, that is formidable and seemingly invincible. The 'fox', on the other hand, stands for a seemingly harmless or inferior entity. The 'mud' here is a metaphor for difficult or unfavorable circumstances. The verse states that even a mighty elephant, which can face and defeat any adversary on a battleground, can become vulnerable and be defeated by a fox when it is stuck in mud. This is because, in such a situation, the elephant loses its mobility and strength, and the fox can attack it without any fear. The underlying moral of this verse is that strength and power are not absolute; they can be compromised by unfavorable conditions. Hence, one should never underestimate even a seemingly weak opponent or overestimate one's own strength. Furthermore, it also hints at the importance of adaptability and the ability to use situational advantage for success. In a broader context, this verse can be applied to various aspects of life, including personal relationships, business, politics, and war strategy. It serves as a reminder to always stay humble, adaptable, and aware of one's surroundings, and not to take one's power or position for granted.