Thirukkural 1252 in English

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

Tamil original

காமம் எனவொன்றோ கண்ணின்றென் நெஞ்சத்தை
யாமத்தும் ஆளும் தொழில்.

Transliteration

Kaamam Enavondro Kannindren Nenjaththai
Yaamaththum Aalum Thozhil

English Translation

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

Plain-English meaning

Even at midnight is my mind worried by lust, and this one thing, alas! is without mercy

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

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

G.U. Pope Translation

What men call love is the one thing of merciless power;It gives my soul no rest, e'en in the midnight hour

Plain-English Meaning

Even at midnight is my mind worried by lust, and this one thing, alas! is without mercy

எல்லாரும் வேலையின்றி உறங்கும் நடுச்சாமத்திலும் என் நெஞ்சத்தைத் தண்டித்து வேலை வாங்குவதால் காதல் என்று சொல்லப்படும் ஒன்று இரக்கமற்றதாக இருக்கிறது.

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?