Thirukkural 1247 in English

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

Tamil original

காமம் விடுஒன்றோ நாண்விடு நன்னெஞ்சே
யானோ பொறேன்இவ் விரண்டு.

Transliteration

Kaamam Vituondro Naanvitu Nannenje
Yaano Poreniv Virantu

Modern English

“She tells her heart to give up either its desire or its modesty, because she cannot bear both at once.”

Modern Interpretation

She tells her heart to give up either its desire or its modesty, because she cannot bear both at once. Wanting to confess your feelings while being too shy to speak can create an exhausting inner struggle.

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Tamil pronunciation

Compare translations

Modern Plain English

She tells her heart to give up either its desire or its modesty, because she cannot bear both at once.

Poetic Couplet (Bharati)

Off with love O mind, or shame I cannot endure both of them

G.U. Pope Translation

Or bid thy love, or bid thy shame depart;For me, I cannot bear them both, my worthy heart

Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)

O my good soul, give up either lust or honour, as for me I can endure neither

Tamil commentary

நல்ல நெஞ்சே! ஒன்று காதல் விருப்பத்தை விடு; அல்லது நாணத்தை விடு; இரண்டையுமே விடமுடியாது என்பது உன் எண்ணம் என்றால், ஒன்றிற்கொன்று வேறுபட்ட இந்த இரண்டையும் சேர்த்துத் தாங்கும் ஆற்றல் எனக்கு இல்லை.

Chapter 125

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