Thirukkural 1296 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
தனியே இருந்து நினைத்தக்கால் என்னைத்
தினிய இருந்ததென் நெஞ்சு.
Transliteration
Thaniye Irundhu Ninaiththakkaal Ennaith
Thiniya Irundhadhen Nenju
Modern English
“When left alone with memories, the mind can turn its pain against itself.”
Modern Interpretation
When left alone with memories, the mind can turn its pain against itself. Someone awake after a breakup may replay every conversation until the thoughts feel unbearable.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
When left alone with memories, the mind can turn its pain against itself.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
My itching mind eats me anon As I muse on him all alone
G.U. Pope Translation
My heart consumes me when I ponder lone,And all my lover's cruelty bemoan
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
My mind has been (here) in order to eat me up (as it were) whenever I think of him in my solitude
Tamil commentary
காதலர் பிரிவைத் தனியே இருந்து நினைத்தபோது என் நெஞ்சம் என்னைத் தின்பது போலக் கொடுமையாக இருந்தது.
Chapter 130
More from Expostulation with Oneself
நெஞ்சொடு புலத்தல்
You see, his heart is his alone; Why not my heart be all my own?
Kural 1292O heart, you see how he slights me Yet you clasp him as if friendly
Kural 1293You follow him at will Is it \"The fallen have no friends\" my heart?
Kural 1294You won't sulk first and then submit Who will then consult you, my heart?
Kural 1295Frets to gain and fears loss in gain O my heart suffers ceaseless pain
Kural 1296My itching mind eats me anon As I muse on him all alone
Kural 1297I forget shame but not his thought In mean foolish mind I'm caught
Kural 1298My heart living in love of him Hails his glory ignoring blame
Kural 1299Who support a man in grief If lover's heart denies relief?
Kural 1300Why wonder if strangers disown When one's own heart is not his own?