Old Tamil Poetry

Thirukkural – 1110

As learning progresses, past ignorance is realised; So is my love
with this bedecked girl,as I get to know her more.

அறிதோ றறியாமை கண்டற்றால் காமம்
செறிதோறுஞ் சேயிழை மாட்டு.

As one learns more and more, he realises his previous ignorance; similarly as I get to know this bedecked girl more and more, I realise what I have missed so far.

Devaneya Paavaanar inteprets it more erotically “As I make love to this bedecked girl, I realise what I have missed so far”. I have gone with Parimel Azhagar’s commentary.

அறிதோறு அறியாமை கண்டற்றால் – As learning progresses, one realises his past ignorance. The brevity of Tamil hasn’t come out well in translation.