Thirukkural 1228 in English

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

Tamil original

அழல்போலும் மாலைக்குத் தூதாகி ஆயன்
குழல்போலும் கொல்லும் படை.

Transliteration

Azhalpolum Maalaikkuth Thoodhaaki Aayan
Kuzhalpolum Kollum Patai

English Translation

“A deadly arm, this shepherd's flute Hails flaming eve and slays my heart”

Plain-English meaning

The shepherd's flute now sounds as a fiery forerunner of night, and is become a weapon that slays (me)

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

A deadly arm, this shepherd's flute Hails flaming eve and slays my heart

G.U. Pope Translation

The shepherd's pipe is like a murderous weapon, to my ear,For it proclaims the hour of ev'ning's fiery anguish near

Plain-English Meaning

The shepherd's flute now sounds as a fiery forerunner of night, and is become a weapon that slays (me)

முன்பு இனிதாய் ஒலித்த ஆயனின் புல்லாங்குழல் இப்போது நெருப்பாய்ச் சுடும் மாலைப் பொழுதிற்கு் தூதானது மட்டும் அன்றி, என்னைக் கொல்லும் ஆயுதமுமாகிவிட்டது.

Chapter 123

பொழுதுகண்டு இரங்கல்

Bless you! you are not eventide But killing dart to wedded bride!

Hail sad eventide dim and grim Has your mate like mine, cruel whim!

Wet eve came pale and trembling then Now it makes bold with growing pain

Lover away, comes eventide Like slayer to field of homicide

What good have I done to morning And what evil to this evening?

Evening pangs I have not known When my lord nev'r left me alone

Budding at dawn burgeoning all day This disease blooms in evening gay

A deadly arm, this shepherd's flute Hails flaming eve and slays my heart

Deluding eve if it prolongs The whole town will suffer love-pangs

Thinking of him whose quest is wealth My life outlives the twilight stealth