Book III - Nature of Love

Thirukkural

I Chapter - ON SECRET MARRIAGE

3.1.4. The Praise of her Beauty

13th May 08 - Kural #: 1111

Soft blessed anicha flower, hail On whom I dote is softer still.

Meaning: May you flourish, O Anicham (the flower that wither even when we smell it)! you have a delicate nature. But my beloved is more delicate than you.

14th May 08 - Kural #: 1112

You can't liken flowers by many eyed, To her bright eyes, O mind dismayed.

Meaning: O my soul, fancying that flowers which are seen by many can resemble her eyes, you become confused at the sight of them.

15th May 08 - Kural #: 1113

The bamboo-shouldered has pearl-like smiles Fragrant breath and lance-like eyes.

Meaning: The complexion of this bamboo-shouldered one is that of a shoot; her teeth, are pearls; her breath, fragrance; and her dyed eyes, lances. 16th May 08 - Kural #: 1114

The lotus, seeing her, with head demiss, the ground would eye, And say, 'With eyes of her, rich gems who wears, we cannot vie.'

Meaning: If the blue lotus could see, it would stoop and look at the ground saying, "I can never resemble the eyes of this excellent jewelled one."

17th May 08 - Kural #: 1115

Anicha flower with stem she wears To her breaking waist sad-drum-blares!

Meaning: No merry drums will be beaten for the (tender) waist of her who has adorned herself with the anicham without having removed its stem.

18th May 08 - Kural #: 1116

Stars are confused to know which is The moon and which is woman's face.

Meaning: The stars have become confused in their places not being able to distinguish between the moon and the maid's countenance.

6th July 08 - Kural #: 1117

Are there spots on the lady's face Just as in moon that changes phase?

Meaning: Could there be spots in the face of this maid like those in the bright full moon?.

Farewell, O moon! If that thine orb could shine Bright as her face, thou shouldst be love of mine

Meaning: If you can indeed shine like the face of women, flourish, O moon, for then would you be worth loving? 8th July 08 - Kural #: 1119

If as her face, whose eyes are flowers, thou wouldst have charms for me, Shine for my eyes alone, O moon, shine not for all to see! Meaning: O moon, if you wish to resemble the face of her whose eyes are like (these) flowers, do not appear so as to be seen by all.

The flower of the sensitive plant, and the down on the swan's white breast, As the thorn are harsh, by the delicate feet of this maiden pressed.

Meaning: The anicham (the flower that would wither away with a breath of human beings) and the feathers of the swan are to the feet of females, like the fruit of the (thorny) Nerunji.