Thirukkural 1087 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
கடாஅக் களிற்றின்மேற் கட்படாம் மாதர்
படாஅ முலைமேல் துகில்.
Transliteration
Kataaak Kalitrinmer Katpataam Maadhar
Pataaa Mulaimel Thukil
Modern English
“The cloth across her firm chest is compared with the cover placed over a powerful elephant's eyes; even her clothing seems full of force.”
Modern Interpretation
The cloth across her firm chest is compared with the cover placed over a powerful elephant's eyes; even her clothing seems full of force. At a cultural celebration, the way a traditional outfit moves can make a dancer's presence especially striking.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
The cloth across her firm chest is compared with the cover placed over a powerful elephant's eyes; even her clothing seems full of force.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Vest on the buxom breast of her Looks like rutting tusker's eye-cover
G.U. Pope Translation
As veil o'er angry eyes Of raging elephant that lies,The silken cincture's folds invest This maiden's panting breast
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
The cloth that covers the firm bosom of this maiden is (like) that which covers the eyes of a rutting elephant
Tamil commentary
அந்தப் பெண்ணின் சாயாத முலைமேல் இருக்கும் சேலை, கொல்லம் மதம் பிடித்த ஆண் யானையின் முகபடாம் போன்று இருக்கிறது.
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