Thirukkural 1196 in English

Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.

Tamil original

ஒருதலையான் இன்னாது காமம்காப் போல
இருதலை யானும் இனிது.

Transliteration

Orudhalaiyaan Innaadhu Kaamamkaap Pola
Irudhalai Yaanum Inidhu

Modern English

“Love hurts when it rests on one side alone, like a kavadi carried with weight at only one end; it is joyful when both sides carry it.”

Modern Interpretation

Love hurts when it rests on one side alone, like a kavadi carried with weight at only one end; it is joyful when both sides carry it. A relationship works best when both people make an effort.

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Tamil pronunciation

Compare translations

Modern Plain English

Love hurts when it rests on one side alone, like a kavadi carried with weight at only one end; it is joyful when both sides carry it.

Poetic Couplet (Bharati)

One sided pains; love in both souls Poises well like shoulder poles

G.U. Pope Translation

Love on one side is bad; like balanced loadBy porter borne, love on both sides is good

Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)

Lust, like the weight of the KAVADI, pains if it lies in one end only but pleases if it is in both

Tamil commentary

ஆண், பெண் என்னும் இரு பக்கத்தில் ஒரு பக்கம் மட்டுமே காதல் இருந்தால் அது கொடுமை காவடியின் பாரத்தைப் போல இருபக்கமும் இருந்தால்தான் இனிது.

Chapter 120

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