Thirukkural 1085 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
கூற்றமோ கண்ணோ பிணையோ மடவரல்
நோக்கமிம் மூன்றும் உடைத்து.
Transliteration
Kootramo Kanno Pinaiyo Matavaral
Nokkamim Moondrum Utaiththu
Modern English
“Her look seems to hold all three powers at once: death, piercing eyes, and the timid beauty of a deer.”
Modern Interpretation
Her look seems to hold all three powers at once: death, piercing eyes, and the timid beauty of a deer. One glance can feel frightening, attractive, and tender all at the same time.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
Her look seems to hold all three powers at once: death, piercing eyes, and the timid beauty of a deer.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Is it death, eye or doe? All three In winsome woman's look I see
G.U. Pope Translation
The light that on me gleams, Is it death's dart? or eye's bright beams?Or fawn's shy glance? All three appear In form of maiden here
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Is it Yama, (a pair of) eyes or a hind ?- Are not all these three in the looks of this maid ?
Tamil commentary
என்னை துன்புறுத்துவது எமனா? என் மேனி எங்கும் படர்வதால் கண்ணா? ஏதோ ஒரு பயம் தெரிவதால் பெண்மானா? இப்பெண்ணின் பார்வை இம்மூன்று குணங்களையும் பெற்றிருக்கிறது.
Chapter 109
More from The Pre-marital love
தகை அணங்குறுத்தல்
Is it an angel? A fair peacock Or jewelled belle? To my mind a shock!
Kural 1082The counter glances of this belle Are armied dart of the Love-Angel
Kural 1083Not known before -I spy Demise In woman's guise with battling eyes
Kural 1084This artless dame has darting eyes That drink the life of men who gaze
Kural 1085Is it death, eye or doe? All three In winsome woman's look I see
Kural 1086If cruel brows unbent, would screen Her eyes won't cause me trembling pain
Kural 1087Vest on the buxom breast of her Looks like rutting tusker's eye-cover
Kural 1088Ah these fair brows shatter my might Feared by foemen yet to meet
Kural 1089Which jewel can add to her beauty With fawn-like looks and modesty?
Kural 1090To the drunk alone is wine delight Nothing delights like love at sight