Thirukkural 1159 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
தொடிற்சுடின் அல்லது காமநோய் போல
விடிற்சுடல் ஆற்றுமோ தீ.
Transliteration
Thotirsutin Alladhu Kaamanoi Pola
Vitirsutal Aatrumo Thee
Modern English
“Fire burns only when you touch it, but love's pain burns even when the beloved is far away.”
Modern Interpretation
Fire burns only when you touch it, but love's pain burns even when the beloved is far away. A person can be hurt by longing while sitting alone with no one near.
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Modern Plain English
Fire burns only when you touch it, but love's pain burns even when the beloved is far away.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Can fire that burns by touch burn like Parting of the hearts love-sick?
G.U. Pope Translation
Fire burns the hands that touch; but smart of loveWill burn in hearts that far away remove
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Fire burns when touched; but, like the sickness of love, can it also burn when removed ?
Tamil commentary
தீ தன்னைத் தொட்டவரைத்தான் சுடும்; காதல் நோயைப் போல அதை விட்டு அகன்றாலும் சுடுமோ?
Chapter 116
More from Separation unendurable
பிரிவு ஆற்றாமை
Tell me if you but do not leave, Your quick return to those who live
Kural 1152His sight itself was pleasing, near Embrace pains now by partings fear
Kural 1153On whom shall I lay my trust hence While parting lurks in knowing ones?
Kural 1154He parts whose love told me -fear not Is my trust in him at default?
Kural 1155Stop his parting -my life to save Meeting is rare if he would leave
Kural 1156His hardness says, \"I leave you now\" Is there hope of his renewed love?
Kural 1157Will not my gliding bangles' cry The parting of my lord betray?
Kural 1158Bitter is life in friendless place; Worse is parting love's embrace!
Kural 1159Can fire that burns by touch burn like Parting of the hearts love-sick?
Kural 1160Many survive pangs of parting Not I this sore so distressing