Wednesday, June 1, 2016

Thirukkural Chapter 115 - The Announcement of the Rumour


Couplet 1141 
By this same rumour's rise, my precious life stands fast;
Good fortune grant the many know this not
Explanation
My precious life is saved by the raise of rumour, and this, to my good luck no others are aware of

Couplet 1142 
The village hath to us this rumour giv'n, that makes her mine;
Unweeting all the rareness of the maid with flower-like eyne
Explanation
Not knowing the value of her whose eyes are like flowers this town has got up a rumour about me

Couplet 1143 
The rumour spread within the town, is it not gain to me?
It is as though that were obtained that may not be
Explanation
Will I not get a rumour that is known to the (whole) town ? For what I have not got is as if I had got it (already)

Couplet 1144 
The rumour rising makes my love to rise;
My love would lose its power and languish otherwise
Explanation
Rumour increases the violence of my passion; without it it would grow weak and waste away

Couplet 1145 
The more man drinks, the more he ever drunk would be;
The more my love's revealed, the sweeter 'tis to me
Explanation
As drinking liquor is delightful (to one) whenever one is in mirth, so is lust delightful to me whenever it is the subject of rumour

Couplet 1146 
I saw him but one single day: rumour spreads soon
As darkness, when the dragon seizes on the moon
Explanation
It was but a single day that I looked on (my lover); but the rumour thereof has spread like the seizure of the moon by the serpent

Couplet 1147 
My anguish grows apace: the town's report
Manures it; my mother's word doth water it
Explanation
This malady (of lust) is manured by the talk of women and watered by the (harsh) words of my mother

Couplet 1148 
With butter-oil extinguish fire! 'Twill prove
Harder by scandal to extinguish love
Explanation
To say that one could extinguish passion by rumour is like extinguishing fire with ghee

Couplet 1149 
When he who said 'Fear not!' hath left me blamed,
While many shrink, can I from rumour hide ashamed
Explanation
When the departure of him who said "fear not" has put me to shame before others, why need I be ashamed of scandal

Couplet 1150 
If we desire, who loves will grant what we require;
This town sends forth the rumour we desire
Explanation
The rumour I desire is raised by the town (itself); and my lover would if desired consent (to my following him)

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