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Chapter 121 of 133Love

நினைந்தவர் புலம்பல்

Sad Memories

Read all ten original Tamil couplets from this chapter with clear, modern interpretations for everyday learning.

Kurals

12011210

Reading

10 couplets

Section

காமத்துப்பால்

A simple reading path

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Tamil + modern meaning

Kural 1201

1 of 10

Tamil original · தமிழ்

உள்ளினும் தீராப் பெருமகிழ் செய்தலால்

கள்ளினும் காமம் இனிது.

Modern interpretation

Love can be sweeter than alcohol because its happiness can return whenever we remember it. A special moment with someone you love may still warm you long after the evening is over.

Read Kural 1201 in full

Kural 1202

2 of 10

Tamil original · தமிழ்

எனைத்தொனறு ஏனிதேகாண் காமம்தாம் வீழ்வார்

நினைப்ப வருவதொன்று ஏல்.

Modern interpretation

Thinking about the person you love can make separation easier, so love feels sweet in every situation. When you miss someone who is away, rereading a kind message can bring comfort.

Read Kural 1202 in full

Kural 1203

3 of 10

Tamil original · தமிழ்

நினைப்பவர் போன்று நினையார்கொல் தும்மல்

சினைப்பது போன்று கெடும்.

Modern interpretation

A sneeze that almost comes but stops makes her wonder whether her beloved began thinking of her and then stopped. It is like seeing someone start typing a message, then watching the message disappear.

Read Kural 1203 in full

Kural 1204

4 of 10

Tamil original · தமிழ்

யாமும் உளேங்கொல் அவர்நெஞ்சத்து எந்நெஞ்சத்து

ஓஒ உளரே அவர்.

Modern interpretation

Her beloved always lives in her heart, and she wonders whether she lives in his heart too. When you keep thinking about someone, you naturally hope the feeling is mutual.

Read Kural 1204 in full

Kural 1205

5 of 10

Tamil original · தமிழ்

தம்நெஞ்சத்து எம்மைக் கடிகொண்டார் நாணார்கொல்

எம்நெஞ்சத்து ஓவா வரல்.

Modern interpretation

He has given her no place in his heart, yet he keeps returning to hers, so she asks whether he feels any shame. A person may try to move on, but reminders of someone who left can keep appearing in the mind.

Read Kural 1205 in full

Kural 1206

6 of 10

Tamil original · தமிழ்

மற்றியான் என்னுளேன் மன்னோ அவரொடி யான்

உற்றநாள் உள்ள உளேன்.

Modern interpretation

Memories of the days spent together are what keep her alive while they are apart. During a difficult separation, looking back at genuinely happy moments can give someone the strength to get through the day.

Read Kural 1206 in full

Kural 1207

7 of 10

Tamil original · தமிழ்

மறப்பின் எவனாவன் மற்கொல் மறப்பறியேன்

உள்ளினும் உள்ளம் சுடும்.

Modern interpretation

Even remembering their past happiness makes her heart ache, but she cannot imagine forgetting it. An old photo may hurt because it brings back what was lost, yet deleting it can feel impossible.

Read Kural 1207 in full

Kural 1208

8 of 10

Tamil original · தமிழ்

எனைத்து நினைப்பினும் காயார் அனைத்தன்றோ

காதலர் செய்யும் சிறப்பு.

Modern interpretation

She can think of her beloved as much as she wants without angering him; that happiness itself is his gift to her. Rereading a loved one’s messages can still feel comforting, even when the person is far away.

Read Kural 1208 in full

Kural 1209

9 of 10

Tamil original · தமிழ்

விளியுமென் இன்னுயிர் வேறல்லம் என்பார்

அளியின்மை ஆற்ற நினைந்து.

Modern interpretation

The person who once said they were one has now become so unkind that thinking about it slowly wears her down. Broken promises can hurt most when they once made a relationship feel completely secure.

Read Kural 1209 in full

Kural 1210

10 of 10

Tamil original · தமிழ்

விடாஅது சென்றாரைக் கண்ணினால் காணப்

படாஅதி வாழி மதி.

Modern interpretation

She asks the moon not to set, so its light can help her search for the beloved who has gone away. Someone waiting for a distant loved one may linger outside at night, hoping for one more glimpse or sign.

Read Kural 1210 in full