Thirukkural 1212 in English

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

Tamil original

கயலுண்கண் யானிரப்பத் துஞ்சிற் கலந்தார்க்கு
உயலுண்மை சாற்றுவேன் மன்.

Transliteration

Kayalunkan Yaanirappath Thunjir Kalandhaarkku
Uyalunmai Saatruven Man

English Translation

“I beg these fish-like dark eyes sleep To tell my lover how life I keep”

Plain-English meaning

If my fish-like painted eyes should, at my begging, close in sleep, I could fully relate my sufferings to my lord

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

I beg these fish-like dark eyes sleep To tell my lover how life I keep

G.U. Pope Translation

If my dark, carp-like eye will close in sleep, as I implore,The tale of my long-suffering life I'll tell my loved one o'er

Plain-English Meaning

If my fish-like painted eyes should, at my begging, close in sleep, I could fully relate my sufferings to my lord

கண்கள் யான் வேண்டுவதுபோல் தூங்குமானால், ( அப்போது வரும் கனவில் காணும்) காதலர்க்கு யான் தப்பிப் பிழைத்திருக்கும்‌ தன்மையைச் சொல்வேன்.

Chapter 122

கனவுநிலை உரைத்தல்

How shall I feast this dream-vision That brings the beloved's love-mission?

I beg these fish-like dark eyes sleep To tell my lover how life I keep

In wakeful hours who sees me not I meet in dreams and linger yet

In dreams I enjoy his love-bliss Who in wakeful hours I miss

Dream-sight of him delights at once Awake-What of seeing him -hence

If wakeful hours come to nought My lov'r in dreams would nev'r depart

Awake he throws my overtures Adream, ah cruel! he tortures!

Asleep he embraces me fast; Awake he enters quick my heart

In dreams who don't discern lovers Rue their missing in wakeful hours

The townsmen say he left me thus In dreams failing to see him close