உறுப்புநலன் அழிதல்
Wasting Away
Read all ten original Tamil couplets from this chapter with clear, modern interpretations for everyday learning.
Kurals
1231–1240
Reading
10 couplets
Section
காமத்துப்பால்
A simple reading path
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Tamil + modern meaning
Kural 1231
1 of 10Tamil original · தமிழ்
சிறுமை நமக்கொழியச் சேட்சென்றார் உள்ளி
நறுமலர் நாணின கண்.
Modern interpretation
Her eyes weep for the beloved who has gone far away, losing their brightness and turning away from beautiful flowers. Deep sorrow can make even ordinary pleasures feel impossible to notice.
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Kural 1232
2 of 10Tamil original · தமிழ்
நயந்தவர் நல்காமை சொல்லுவ போலும்
பசந்து பனிவாரும் கண்.
Modern interpretation
Her pale, tearful eyes seem to reveal to everyone that the beloved she loves has not shown her kindness. Even when someone says nothing, tired eyes can show friends that something is wrong.
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Kural 1233
3 of 10Tamil original · தமிழ்
தணந்தமை சால அறிவிப்ப போலும்
மணந்தநாள் வீங்கிய தோள்.
Modern interpretation
The shoulders that once grew full with the joy of union have become thin, openly revealing the separation. Grief can show in a person’s appearance before they are ready to talk about it.
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Kural 1234
4 of 10Tamil original · தமிழ்
பணைநீங்கிப் பைந்தொடி சோரும் துணைநீங்கித்
தொல்கவின் வாடிய தோள்.
Modern interpretation
After her companion leaves, her former beauty fades and her bracelets grow loose on her thinner arms. Long stress and sadness can affect the body as well as the heart.
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Kural 1235
5 of 10Tamil original · தமிழ்
கொடியார் கொடுமை உரைக்கும் தொடியொடு
தொல்கவின் வாடிய தோள்.
Modern interpretation
Her loosened bracelets and faded shoulders tell everyone how cruelly the beloved has left her. A person’s changed appearance can reveal neglect and heartbreak even when they try to hide both.
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Kural 1236
6 of 10Tamil original · தமிழ்
தொடியொடு தோள்நெகிழ நோவல் அவரைக்
கொடியர் எனக்கூறல் நொந்து.
Modern interpretation
She is hurt when people call her beloved cruel because her shoulders have grown thin and her bracelets have loosened. Even while suffering, she still loves him and does not want others to condemn him.
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Kural 1237
7 of 10Tamil original · தமிழ்
பாடுபெறுதியோ நெஞ்சே கொடியார்க்கென்
வாடுதோட் பூசல் உரைத்து.
Modern interpretation
She asks her heart whether telling the absent beloved about her fading body would bring it any real honour or relief. Writing one more message to someone who is not listening may only expose the pain without changing the situation.
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Kural 1238
8 of 10Tamil original · தமிழ்
முயங்கிய கைகளை ஊக்கப் பசந்தது
பைந்தொடிப் பேதை நுதல்.
Modern interpretation
When the embrace loosens even slightly, the young woman’s forehead turns pale, as if she cannot bear the smallest separation. A brief goodbye can feel huge when two people are deeply attached.
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Kural 1239
9 of 10Tamil original · தமிழ்
முயக்கிடைத் தண்வளி போழப் பசப்புற்ற
பேதை பெருமழைக் கண்.
Modern interpretation
Even a breath of cool air slipping between the lovers during an embrace makes her large eyes lose their color. When someone is already anxious about separation, the smallest interruption can feel like abandonment.
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Kural 1240
10 of 10Tamil original · தமிழ்
கண்ணின் பசப்போ பருவரல் எய்தின்றே
ஒண்ணுதல் செய்தது கண்டு.
Modern interpretation
Her eyes seem troubled when they see the bright forehead become pale with longing. Noticing a loved one’s distress can make your own sadness feel heavier too.
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