Thirukkural Chapter 113 - Declaration of Love's special Excellence

Couplet 1121 
The dew on her white teeth, whose voice is soft and low,
Is as when milk and honey mingled flow
Explanation
The water which oozes from the white teeth of this soft speeched damsel is like a mixture of milk and honey

Couplet 1122 
Between this maid and me the friendship kind
Is as the bonds that soul and body bind
Explanation
The love between me and this damsel is like the union of body and soul

Couplet 1123 
For her with beauteous brow, the maid I love, there place is none;
To give her image room, O pupil of mine eye, begone
Explanation
O you image in the pupil (of my eye)! depart; there is no room for (my) fair-browed beloved

Couplet 1124 
Life is she to my very soul when she draws nigh;
Dissevered from the maid with jewels rare, I die
Explanation
My fair-jewelled one resembles the living soul (when she is in union with me), the dying soul when she leaves me

Couplet 1125 
I might recall, if I could once forget; but from my heart
Her charms fade not, whose eyes gleam like the warrior's dart
Explanation
If I had forgotten her who has bright battling eyes, I would have remembered (thee); but I never forget her (Thus says he to her maid)

Couplet 1126 
My loved one's subtle form departs not from my eyes;
I wink them not, lest I should pain him where he lies
Explanation
My lover would not depart from mine eyes; even if I wink, he would not suffer (from pain); he is so ethereal

Couplet 1127 
My love doth ever in my eyes reside;
I stain them not, fearing his form to hide
Explanation
As my lover abides in my eyes, I will not even paint them, for he would (then) have to conceal himself

Couplet 1128 
Within my heart my lover dwells; from food I turn
That smacks of heat, lest he should feel it burn
Explanation
As my lover is in my heart, I am afraid of eating (anything) hot, for I know it would pain him

Couplet 1129 
I fear his form to hide, nor close my eyes:
'Her love estranged is gone!' the village cries
Explanation
I will not wink, knowing that if I did, my lover would hide himself; and for this reason, this town says, he is unloving

Couplet 1130 
Rejoicing in my very soul he ever lies;
'Her love estranged is gone far off!' the village cries
Explanation
My lover dwells in my heart with perpetual delight; but the town says he is unloving and (therefore) dwells afar