Thirukkural 1116 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
மதியும் மடந்தை முகனும் அறியா
பதியின் கலங்கிய மீன்.
Transliteration
Madhiyum Matandhai Mukanum Ariyaa
Padhiyin Kalangiya Meen
Modern English
“The beloved's face shines so brightly that even the stars seem unable to tell it apart from the moon.”
Modern Interpretation
The beloved's face shines so brightly that even the stars seem unable to tell it apart from the moon. When someone enters a dim room with a radiant smile, everyone's attention can turn toward them.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
The beloved's face shines so brightly that even the stars seem unable to tell it apart from the moon.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Stars are confused to know which is The moon and which is woman's face
G.U. Pope Translation
The stars perplexed are rushing wildly from their spheres;For like another moon this maiden's face appears
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
The stars have become confused in their places not being able to distinguish between the moon and the maid's countenance
Tamil commentary
அதோ, நிலாவிற்கும் என் மனைவியின் முகத்திற்கும் வேறுபாடு தெரியாது நட்சத்திரங்கள், தாம் இருந்த இடத்திலிருந்து இடம் விட்டுக் கலங்கித் திரிகின்றன!
Chapter 112
More from The Praise of her Beauty
நலம் புனைந்து உரைத்தல்
Soft blessed anicha flower, hail On whom I dote is softer still
Kural 1112You can't liken flowers by many eyed, To her bright eyes, O mind dismayed
Kural 1113The bamboo-shouldered has pearl-like smiles Fragrant breath and lance-like eyes
Kural 1114Lily droops down to ground and says I can't equal the jewelled-one's eyes
Kural 1115Anicha flower with stem she wears To her breaking waist sad-drum-blares!
Kural 1116Stars are confused to know which is The moon and which is woman's face
Kural 1117Are there spots on the lady's face Just as in moon that changes phase?
Kural 1118Like my lady's face if you shine All my love to you; hail O moon!
Kural 1119Like the face of my flower-eyed one If you look, then shine alone O moon!
Kural 1120The soft flower and the swan's down are Like nettles to the feet of the fair