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

English Translation

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

Plain-English meaning

My life lasts because in my dream I behold him who does not favour me in my waking hours

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Tamil pronunciation

Speed

English Translation

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

Plain-English Meaning

My life lasts because in my dream I behold him who does not favour me in my waking hours

நனவில் வந்து அன்பு செய்யாத காதலரைக் கனவில் காண்பதால்தான் என்னுடைய உயிர் இன்னும் நீங்காமல் உள்ளதாகின்றது.

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