Thirukkural 1134 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
காமக் கடும்புனல் உய்க்கும் நாணொடு
நல்லாண்மை என்னும் புணை.
Transliteration
Kaamak Katumpunal Uykkum Naanotu
Nallaanmai Ennum Punai
Modern English
“Strong desire is pictured as a flood that carries away the rafts of modesty and self-restraint.”
Modern Interpretation
Strong desire is pictured as a flood that carries away the rafts of modesty and self-restraint. Someone who usually keeps calm may send an emotional message or make a public confession when feelings surge beyond control.
Listen
Tamil pronunciation
Compare translations
Modern Plain English
Strong desire is pictured as a flood that carries away the rafts of modesty and self-restraint.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Rushing flood of love sweeps away The raft of shame and firmness, aye!
G.U. Pope Translation
Love's rushing tide will sweep away the raftOf seemly manliness and shame combined
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
The raft of modesty and manliness, is, alas, carried-off by the strong current of lust
Tamil commentary
ஆம்; நாணம், ஆண்மை என்னும் படகுகளைக் காதலாகிய கடும் வெள்ளம் அடித்துக் கொண்டு போய்விட்டது.
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