The Kural
All chapters › Love (இன்பத்துப்பால்) › Chapter 112
நலம் புனைந்து உரைத்தல்
Kurals 1111–1120 of the Thirukkural, in the book of Love (இன்பத்துப்பால்).
நன்னீரை வாழி அனிச்சமே நின்னினும்
மென்னீரள் யாம்வீழ் பவள்.
O flower of the sensitive plant! than thee
More tender's the maiden beloved by me.
G.U. Pope, 1886
In today's words: Long live the anicham flower, so delicate; but my love is more delicate still.
Open in the appமலர்காணின் மையாத்தி நெஞ்சே இவள்கண்
பலர்காணும் பூவொக்கும் என்று.
You deemed, as you saw the flowers, her eyes were as flowers, my soul,
That many may see; it was surely some folly that over you stole!
G.U. Pope, 1886
In today's words: My heart, don't be fooled: flowers that everyone sees can't match her eyes.
Open in the appமுறிமேனி முத்தம் முறுவல் வெறிநாற்றம்
வேலுண்கண் வேய்த்தோ ளவட்கு.
As tender shoot her frame; teeth, pearls; around her odours blend;
Darts are the eyes of her whose shoulders like the bambu bend.
G.U. Pope, 1886
In today's words: Her skin is a fresh shoot, her teeth are pearls, her breath is fragrance and her eyes are spears.
Open in the appகாணின் குவளை கவிழ்ந்து நிலன்நோக்கும்
மாணிழை கண்ணொவ்வேம் என்று.
The lotus, seeing her, with head demiss, the ground would eye,
And say, 'With eyes of her, rich gems who wears, we cannot vie.'
G.U. Pope, 1886
In today's words: If the blue lotus could see her eyes, it would look at the ground and admit defeat.
Open in the appஅனிச்சப்பூக் கால்களையாள் பெய்தாள் நுகப்பிற்கு
நல்ல படாஅ பறை.
The flowers of the sensitive plant as a girdle around her she placed;
The stems she forgot to nip off; they'll weigh down the delicate waist.
G.U. Pope, 1886
In today's words: She wore the anicham with its stem still on; her delicate waist can barely bear it.
Open in the appமதியும் மடந்தை முகனும் அறியா
பதியின் கலங்கிய மீன்.
The stars perplexed are rushing wildly from their spheres;
For like another moon this maiden's face appears.
G.U. Pope, 1886
In today's words: The stars are confused, unable to tell the moon from her face.
Open in the appஅறுவாய் நிறைந்த அவிர்மதிக்குப் போல
மறுவுண்டோ மாதர் முகத்து.
In moon, that waxing waning shines, as spots appear,
Are any spots discerned in face of maiden here?
G.U. Pope, 1886
In today's words: The moon has spots on it; does her face?
Open in the appமாதர் முகம்போல் ஒளிவிட வல்லையேல்
காதலை வாழி மதி.
Farewell, O moon! If that thine orb could shine
Bright as her face, thou shouldst be love of mine.
G.U. Pope, 1886
In today's words: Moon, if you can shine like her face, you'll be worth loving too.
Open in the appமலரன்ன கண்ணாள் முகமொத்தி யாயின்
பலர்காணத் தோன்றல் மதி.
If as her face, whose eyes are flowers, thou wouldst have charms for me,
Shine for my eyes alone, O moon, shine not for all to see!
G.U. Pope, 1886
In today's words: Moon, if you want to be like her face, stop showing yourself to everyone.
Open in the appஅனிச்சமும் அன்னத்தின் தூவியும் மாதர்
அடிக்கு நெருஞ்சிப் பழம்.
The flower of the sensitive plant, and the down on the swan's white breast,
As the thorn are harsh, by the delicate feet of this maiden pressed.
G.U. Pope, 1886
In today's words: To her delicate feet, even the anicham flower and swan's down feel like thorns.
Open in the app