Thirukkural 1131 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
காமம் உழந்து வருந்தினார்க்கு ஏமம்
மடலல்லது இல்லை வலி.
Transliteration
Kaamam Uzhandhu Varundhinaarkku Emam
Matalalladhu Illai Vali
Modern English
“When love is blocked and the heart suffers, the traditional answer is to ride a palmyra horse, a public declaration of love.”
Modern Interpretation
When love is blocked and the heart suffers, the traditional answer is to ride a palmyra horse, a public declaration of love. In the poem's world, someone who cannot win a beloved privately may boldly announce the love before the community.
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Modern Plain English
When love is blocked and the heart suffers, the traditional answer is to ride a palmyra horse, a public declaration of love.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Pangs of passion find no recourse Except riding *`palmyra horse' * Palmyra horse or 'Madal' is a torture expressive of the burning passion of the lover to the beloved The lover's body is laid on a rough pricking palmyra bed and he is carried along the street with songs of love pangs The parents of the lovers first reproach them and then consent to their marriage
G.U. Pope Translation
To those who 've proved love's joy, and now afflicted mourn,Except the helpful 'horse of palm', no other strength remains
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
To those who after enjoyment of sexual pleasure suffer (for want of more), there is no help so efficient as the palmyra horse
Tamil commentary
காதல் நிறைவேற முடியாமல் வருந்தும் காதலர்க்கு மடல் ஏறுதலைத் தவிர வேறு பலம் இல்லை.
Chapter 114
More from The Abandonment of Reserve
நாணுத் துறவுரைத்தல்
Pangs of passion find no recourse Except riding *`palmyra horse' * Palmyra horse or 'Madal' is a torture expressive of the burning passion of the lover to the beloved The lover's body is laid on a rough pricking palmyra bed and he is carried along the street with songs of love pangs The parents of the lovers first reproach them and then consent to their marriage
Kural 1132Pining body and mind lose shame And take to riding of the palm
Kural 1133Once I was modest and manly My love has now Madal only
Kural 1134Rushing flood of love sweeps away The raft of shame and firmness, aye!
Kural 1135Palm-ride and pangs of eventide Are gifts of wreath-like bracelet maid
Kural 1136Madal I ride at midnight for My eyes sleep not seeing this fair
Kural 1137Her sea-like lust seeks not Madal! Serene is woman's self control
Kural 1138Lust betrays itself in haste Though women are highly soft and chaste
Kural 1139My perplexed love roves public street Believing that none knows its secret
Kural 1140Fools laugh at me before my eyes For they feel not my pangs and sighs