Kural 1128 · நெஞ்சத்தார் காத லவராக வெய்துண்டல்
Since my beloved lives in my heart, I fear to eat hot food, knowing that he would be scalded.
The Eighteen Lesser Texts, including the Thirukkural.
Since my beloved lives in my heart, I fear to eat hot food, knowing that he would be scalded.
I know that if I blink he will be hidden from me; for that mere instant of absence this village calls him a stranger without love.
He dwells happily in my heart always, yet this village says he lives far away from me, as one without love.
For those who suffer and grieve in love, there is no other support but the palm-stalk ride.
My body and soul, unable to bear the anguish, have set modesty aside and resolved to ride the palm-stalk.
Formerly I possessed modesty and fine manliness; now I possess only the palm-stalk that the lovelorn ride.
The swift flood of desire sweeps away even the raft made of modesty and manly self-control.
She of the small bracelets and flower garlands has given me both the thought of riding the palm-stalk and the anguish that tramples me at evening.
Even at midnight I think of riding the palm-stalk, for my eyes, because of that artless girl, will not close in sleep.
There is none more worthy than a woman who, though afflicted with desire vast as the sea, does not ride the palm-stalk.