Thirukkural Chapter 114 - The Abandonment of Reserve


Couplet 1131 
To those who 've proved love's joy, and now afflicted mourn,
Except the helpful 'horse of palm', no other strength remains
Explanation
To those who after enjoyment of sexual pleasure suffer (for want of more), there is no help so efficient as the palmyra horse

Couplet 1132 
My body and my soul, that can no more endure,
Will lay reserve aside, and mount the 'horse of palm'
Explanation
Having got rid of shame, the suffering body and soul save themselves on the palmyra horse

Couplet 1133 
I once retained reserve and seemly manliness;
To-day I nought possess but lovers' 'horse of palm'
Explanation
Modesty and manliness were once my own; now, my own is the palmyra horse that is ridden by the lustful

Couplet 1134 
Love's rushing tide will sweep away the raft
Of seemly manliness and shame combined
Explanation
The raft of modesty and manliness, is, alas, carried-off by the strong current of lust

Couplet 1135 
The maid that slender armlets wears, like flowers entwined,
Has brought me 'horse of palm,' and pangs of eventide
Explanation
She with the small garland-like bracelets has given me the palmyra horse and the sorrow that is endured at night

Couplet 1136 
Of climbing 'horse of palm' in midnight hour, I think;
My eyes know no repose for that same simple maid
Explanation
Mine eyes will not close in sleep on your mistress's account; even at midnight will I think of mounting the palmyra horse

Couplet 1137 
There's nought of greater worth than woman's long-enduring soul,
Who, vexed by love like ocean waves, climbs not the 'horse of palm'
Explanation
There is nothing so noble as the womanly nature that would not ride the palmyra horse, though plunged a sea of lust

Couplet 1138 
In virtue hard to move, yet very tender, too, are we;
Love deems not so, would rend the veil, and court publicity
Explanation
Even the Lust (of women) transgresses its secrecy and appears in public, forgetting that they are too chaste and liberal (to be overcome by it)

Couplet 1139 
'There's no one knows my heart,' so says my love,
And thus, in public ways, perturbed will rove
Explanation
And thus, in public ways, perturbed will rove

Couplet 1140 
Before my eyes the foolish make a mock of me,
Because they ne'er endured the pangs I now must drie
Explanation
Even strangers laugh (at us) so as to be seen by us, for they have not suffered