If you can shine as bright as this girl’s face,
You too shall be my beloved, O’ moon.
மாதர் முகம்போல் ஒளிவிட வல்லையேல்
காதலை வாழி மதி.
O’ Moon, You wax and wane, have spots in your face. If you’re able to shine as bright as this girl’s face, then you too shall become my love. But you can’t. So she’s my only love.
வல் – able
வல்லையேல் – if you’re able
Even if engulfed in a fire, one may escape;
But those who cause grief to noble men, cannot escape.
எரியான் சுடப்படினும், உய்வு உண்டாம்; உய்யார்,
பெரியார்ப் பிழைத்து ஒழுகுவார்.
Even if one is caught in a fire and singed, there is a chance for him to escape and survive. But causing grief to noble men is a sin from which there is no escape. One who indulges in it will have to suffer the consequences.
எரி – flame
சுடப் படினும் – even if burned
உய்வு – escape
உய்யார் – உய்ய மாட்டார் – 2will not escape
பிழைத்து – cause grief
ஒழுகுவார் – to do / act
They laugh at me in front of my eyes, these dolts –
Since what I suffer, they don’t.
யாம் கண்ணின் காண நகுப, அறிவு இல்லார்-
யாம் பட்ட தாம் படாவாறு.
She tells to herself these idiots (her friends) laugh at me because they don’t suffer the pangs of love as I do
கண்ணின் காண – in front of my eyes
நகு – to laugh
படா – don’t feel
Sweet words stutter, sharp eyes redden, lips pale;
Oh’ women! Nectar of your lips
Has turned to wine, making you lose your senses;
Open your doors!
மதுர மானமொழி பதற வான்விழிசி
வப்ப வாயிதழ்வெ ளுப்பவே
அதர பானமது பான மாகஅறி
வழியு மாதர்கடை திறமினோ.
The poet is in town to praise the valor of victorious Chola army in the battle of Kalinga. (1110 CE) He asks the women to open their doors and listen to their men’s valor. In this poem he says “Because of your love making, you have started stammering your sweet words. Your sharp eyes have turned red and your lips have paled in the act of love making. The nectar of your mouth has become wine and has made you lose your senses. That’s why you are still asleep. Please open your doors and listen the valorous deeds of your army”
Kalingathu p Parani is a short literary work (சிற்றிலக்கியம்) written by Poet Jayamkondar in 12th century. It is written in praise of Kulothunga Cholan’s general Karunakara Thondaiman who invaded and conquered Kalinga country (present day Orissa). Poems 21-74 are the bard calling the women of Kanchi (present day Kancheepuram, the town of Karunakara Thondaiman) to open their doors and hear the valor of their hero. These 54 poems are erotically charged. The next chapters of the work are gory descriptions of battle field and the ghosts getting together for a feast of dead bodies.
Parani is a form of poetic work that is sung in praise of a warrior. It is generally named after the battle. Since this about the battle of Kalinga, it is called Kalingathup Parani.
மதுரம் – sweet
பதற – stumble / stutter
வான்விழி – வாள் + விழி – sword eyes (sharp eyes)
சிவப்ப – redder
வெளுப்ப – whiten / pale
அதர பானம் – அதரம் + பானம் – lip’s liquid (nectar)
மது பானம் – liquor / winw
அறிவழியும் – அறிவு +அழியும் – lose sense
கடை – Door
திறமின் – Open
Though fate renders one’s work futile,
Efforts of toil will get its fair due still.
தெய்வத்தான் ஆகாதுஎனினும், முயற்சி தன்
மெய் வருத்தக் கூலி தரும்.
Sometimes one may not be able to complete a work because fate destined otherwise. But the effort of labor to do the work will not go unpaid. It will get fair rewards to the toiler.
தெய்வத்தான்- because of God
ஆகாது- cannot be done
மெய் வருத்தம்- physical labor
 | Anon on Kurunthokai 166 |
 | prasana on Thirukkural – 819 |
 | Smitha Komandoor on Kurunthokai 63 |
 | Sanjay Prasad on Thirukkural 675 |
 | Kirayukimuras on Thirikadugam – 28 |
Old Tamil Poetry 