Thirukkural 1289 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
மலரினும் மெல்லிது காமம் சிலர்அதன்
செவ்வி தலைப்படு வார்.
Transliteration
Malarinum Mellidhu Kaamam Silaradhan
Sevvi Thalaippatu Vaar
Modern English
“Love and intimacy are delicate, and they need the right care, trust, and setting.”
Modern Interpretation
Love and intimacy are delicate, and they need the right care, trust, and setting. A couple who respects each other's boundaries understands this better than one that rushes the moment.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
Love and intimacy are delicate, and they need the right care, trust, and setting.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Flower-soft is love; a few alone Know its delicacy so fine
G.U. Pope Translation
Love is tender as an opening flower In season dueTo gain its perfect bliss is rapture known to few
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Sexual delight is more delicate than a flower, and few are those who understand its real nature
Tamil commentary
காதல் இன்பம் மலரைவிட மென்மையானது. அதை அறிந்து அனுபவிப்பதற்கு ஏற்ற இடம், காலம், தேவையானவை எல்லாம் பெற்றுக் காதல் இன்பத்தின் நலனை அனுபவிப்பவர் இவ்வுலகில் சிலரே
Chapter 129
More from Desire for Reunion
புணர்ச்சி விதும்பல்
Rapture at thought and joy when seen Belong to love and not to wine
Kural 1282When passion grows palmyra-tall Sulking is wrong though millet-small
Kural 1283Though slighting me he acts his will My restless eyes would see him still
Kural 1284Huff I would, maid, but I forget; And leap to embrace him direct
Kural 1285When close I see not lord's blemish Like eyes that see not painter's brush
Kural 1286When he's with me I see not fault And nought but fault when he is not
Kural 1287To leap in stream which carries off When lord is close to feign a huff
Kural 1288Like wine to addicts that does disgrace Your breast, O thief, is for my embrace!
Kural 1289Flower-soft is love; a few alone Know its delicacy so fine
Kural 1290She feigned dislike awhile but flew Faster for embrace than I do