Thirukkural Chapter 121 - Sad Memories


Couplet 1201 
From thought of her unfailing gladness springs,
Sweeter than palm-rice wine the joy love brings
Explanation
Sexuality is sweeter than liquor, because when remembered, it creates a most rapturous delight

Couplet 1202 
How great is love! Behold its sweetness past belief!
Think on the lover, and the spirit knows no grief
Explanation
Even to think of one's beloved gives one no pain Sexuality, in any degree, is always delightful

Couplet 1203 
A fit of sneezing threatened, but it passed away;
He seemed to think of me, but do his fancies stray
Explanation
I feel as if I am going to sneeze but do not, and (therefore) my beloved is about to think (of me) but does not

Couplet 1204 
Have I a place within his heart!
From mine, alas! he never doth depart
Explanation
He continues to abide in my soul, do I likewise abide in his ?

Couplet 1205 
Me from his heart he jealously excludes:
Hath he no shame who ceaseless on my heart intrudes
Explanation
He who has imprisoned me in his soul, is he ashamed to enter incessantly into mine

Couplet 1206 
How live I yet? I live to ponder o'er
The days of bliss with him that are no more
Explanation
I live by remembering my (former) intercourse with him; if it were not so, how could I live?

Couplet 1207 
If I remembered not what were I then? And yet,
The fiery smart of what my spirit knows not to forget
Explanation
I have never forgotten (the pleasure); even to think of it burns my soul; could I live, if I should ever forget it ?

Couplet 1208 
My frequent thought no wrath excites It is not so?
This honour doth my love on me bestow
Explanation
146 He will not be angry however much I may think of him; is it not so much the delight my beloved

Couplet 1209 
Dear life departs, when his ungracious deeds I ponder o'er,
Who said erewhile, 'We're one for evermore'
Explanation
My precious life is wasting away by thinking too much on the cruelty of him who said we were not different

Couplet 1210 
Set not; so may'st thou prosper, moon! that eyes may see
My love who went away, but ever bides with me
Explanation
May you live, O Moon! Do not set, that I mine see him who has departed without quitting my soul