Thirukkural 1268 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
வினைகலந்து வென்றீக வேந்தன் மனைகலந்து
மாலை அயர்கம் விருந்து.
Transliteration
Vinaikalandhu Vendreeka Vendhan Manaikalandhu
Maalai Ayarkam Virundhu
Modern English
“A ruler may win a battle, but sharing an evening with one's spouse can feel like the greater reward.”
Modern Interpretation
A ruler may win a battle, but sharing an evening with one's spouse can feel like the greater reward. After a demanding day, someone may value a quiet meal with their partner more than applause.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
A ruler may win a battle, but sharing an evening with one's spouse can feel like the greater reward.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
May the king fight and win and give And with my wife I will feast this eve!
G.U. Pope Translation
O would my king would fight, o'ercome, devide the spoil;At home, to-night, the banquet spread should crown the toil
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Let the king fight and gain (victories); (but) let me be united to my wife and feast the evening
Tamil commentary
அரசு போர் செய்து வெற்றி பெறட்டும்; நானும் மனைவியோடு கூடி மாலைப்பொழுதில் விருந்து உண்பேனாகுக.
Chapter 127
More from Mutual Desire
அவர்வயின் விதும்பல்
My eyes are dim lustre-bereft Worn fingers count days since he left
Kural 1262Beauty pales and my bracelets slide; Why not forget him now, bright maid?
Kural 1263Will as guide he went to win Yet I live-to see him again
Kural 1264My heart in rapture heaves to see His retun with love to embrace me
Kural 1265Let me but gaze and gaze my spouse sallow on my soft shoulders files
Kural 1266Let my spouse return just a day Joy-drink shall drive my pain away
Kural 1267If my eye-like lord returneth Shall I sulk or clasp or do both?
Kural 1268May the king fight and win and give And with my wife I will feast this eve!
Kural 1269One day seems as seven to those Who yearn return of distant spouse
Kural 1270When her heart is broken, what is The good of meeting and love-embrace?