Thirukkural 1251 in English

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

Tamil original

காமக் கணிச்சி உடைக்கும் நிறையென்னும்
நாணுத்தாழ் வீழ்த்த கதவு.

Transliteration

Kaamak Kanichchi Utaikkum Niraiyennum
Naanuththaazh Veezhththa Kadhavu

English Translation

“Passion's axe shall break the door Of reserve bolted with my honour”

Plain-English meaning

The axe of lust can break the door of chastity which is bolted with the bolt of modesty

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

Passion's axe shall break the door Of reserve bolted with my honour

G.U. Pope Translation

Of womanly reserve love's axe breaks through the door,Barred by the bolt of shame before

Plain-English Meaning

The axe of lust can break the door of chastity which is bolted with the bolt of modesty

நாணம் என்னும் தாழ்பாளைக் கோத்திருக்கும் நிறை எனப்படும் கதவைக் காதல் விருப்பமாகிய கோடரி பிளக்கின்றதே!

Chapter 126

நிறையழிதல்

Passion's axe shall break the door Of reserve bolted with my honour

The thing called lust is a heartless power It sways my mind at midnight hour

How to hide this lust which shows Itself while I sneeze unawares!

I was proud of my sex-reserve Lo lust betrays what I preserve

Dignity seeks not a deserter But Love-sick is its innovator

O Grief, my deserter you seek Of your caprice what shall I speak!

When lover's love does what it desires We forget all shame unawares

The cheater of many wily arts His tempting words break through women's hearts

In huff I went and felt at ease Heat to heart in sweet embrace

To feign dislike is it not rare For mates who melt like fat in fire?