Kambaramayanam – 1103
Is it anything new to discard
golden jewels and dresses worn externally?
A bright foreheaded woman discarded
modesty residing in her heart too;-
Like an ascetic who undertakes
severe forms of renunciation,
to forego one’s self
is a characteristic of passion too.
பொன் அருங் கலனும், தூசும்,
புறத்து உள துறத்தல் வம்போ?
நல் நுதல் ஒருத்தி. தன்பால்
அகத்து உள நாணும். நீத்தாள்;-
உன்ன அருந் துறவு பூண்ட
உணர்வுடை ஒருவனேபோல்.
தன்னையும் துறக்கும் தன்மை
காமத்தே தங்கிற்று அன்றே.
This poem is in the Revelry chapter (உண்டாட்டுப் படலம்) recording revelries of women accompanying Dasaratha to Mithila. Kamban says “To give up external adornments like jewels and dress is nothing new. Anybody can do it. But this woman gives up modesty that resides in her heart and hankers after her man. Like ascetics who give up their self and undertake severe forms of renunciation, love makes these women discard their self and forget their reserve.”
Old Tamil Poetry 