Thirukkural 73 in English

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

Tamil original

அன்போடு இயைந்த வழக்கென்ப ஆருயிர்க்கு
என்போடு இயைந்த தொடர்பு.

Transliteration

Anpotu Iyaindha Vazhakkenpa Aaruyirkku
Enpotu Iyaindha Thotarpu

English Translation

“Soul is encased in frame of bone To taste the life of love alone”

Plain-English meaning

They say that the union of soul and body in man is the fruit of the union of love and virtue (in a former birth)

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

Soul is encased in frame of bone To taste the life of love alone

G.U. Pope Translation

Of precious soul with body's flesh and bone,The union yields one fruit, the life of love alone

Plain-English Meaning

They say that the union of soul and body in man is the fruit of the union of love and virtue (in a former birth)

பெறுவதற்கு அரிய உயிருக்கு நம் உடம்போடு உண்டாகிய தொடர்பு, அன்போடு கொண்ட ஆசையின் பயனே என்று அறிந்தவர் கூறுவர்

Chapter 8

அன்புடைமை

What bolt can bar true love in fact The tricking tears reveal the heart

To selves belong the loveless ones; To oth'rs the loving e'en to bones

Soul is encased in frame of bone To taste the life of love alone

Love yields aspiration and thence Friendship springs up in excellence

The crowning joy of home life flows From peaceful psychic love always

\"Love is virtue's friend\" say know-nots It helps us against evil plots

Justice burns the loveless form Like solar blaze the boneless worm

Life bereft of love is gloom Can sapless tree in desert bloom?

Love is the heart which limbs must move, Or vain the outer parts will prove

The seat of life is love alone; Or beings are but skin and bone!