Thirukkural 1213 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
நனவினால் நல்கா தவரைக் கனவினால்
காண்டலின் உண்டென் உயிர்.
Transliteration
Nanavinaal Nalkaa Thavaraik Kanavinaal
Kaantalin Unten Uyir
Modern English
“Dreaming of the beloved who does not show affection while awake is what keeps her alive.”
Modern Interpretation
Dreaming of the beloved who does not show affection while awake is what keeps her alive. After a long silence, even a dream of receiving a call from that person can briefly restore hope.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
Dreaming of the beloved who does not show affection while awake is what keeps her alive.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
In wakeful hours who sees me not I meet in dreams and linger yet
G.U. Pope Translation
Him, who in waking hour no kindness shows,In dreams I see; and so my lifetime goes
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
My life lasts because in my dream I behold him who does not favour me in my waking hours
Tamil commentary
நனவில் வந்து அன்பு செய்யாத காதலரைக் கனவில் காண்பதால்தான் என்னுடைய உயிர் இன்னும் நீங்காமல் உள்ளதாகின்றது.
Chapter 122
More from The Visions of the Night
கனவுநிலை உரைத்தல்
How shall I feast this dream-vision That brings the beloved's love-mission?
Kural 1212I beg these fish-like dark eyes sleep To tell my lover how life I keep
Kural 1213In wakeful hours who sees me not I meet in dreams and linger yet
Kural 1214In dreams I enjoy his love-bliss Who in wakeful hours I miss
Kural 1215Dream-sight of him delights at once Awake-What of seeing him -hence
Kural 1216If wakeful hours come to nought My lov'r in dreams would nev'r depart
Kural 1217Awake he throws my overtures Adream, ah cruel! he tortures!
Kural 1218Asleep he embraces me fast; Awake he enters quick my heart
Kural 1219In dreams who don't discern lovers Rue their missing in wakeful hours
Kural 1220The townsmen say he left me thus In dreams failing to see him close