PrepMaticThirukkural · காமத்துப்பால் · களவியல்
நலம் புனைந்து உரைத்தல்: The Praise of her Beauty
About this chapter
நலம் புனைந்து உரைத்தல், the praise of her beauty, has the lover (தலைவன்) praising his beloved by comparing her with flowers, the moon, stars and birds. In each comparison, the beloved wins. The speaker is the lover, who talks to flowers, to his own heart and to the moon.
Kural 1111 begins with the delicate anicham flower and says his beloved is more tender still. In Kural 1112 he turns on his own heart for thinking flowers can match her eyes, since those are seen by many. Kural 1113 lists her features as a shoot, pearls, fragrance and spear-like eyes, and Kural 1114 imagines the blue lotus bowing its head and admitting it cannot match her eyes. Kural 1115 says she wore the anicham flowers with their stalks still on, which her slender waist can hardly bear. Kurals 1116 to 1119 turn to the moon. The stars lose their places, unable to tell the moon from her face (1116), her face has no spots (1117), the moon would be worth loving if it could shine like her face (1118), and, if it wants to look like her, it should not show itself to everyone (1119). Kural 1120 ends with the anicham and the swan's down, which to her feet are like thorny fruit.
Kural 1118 is a good one to read, as it turns the old comparison with the moon around.
The 10 kurals of நலம் புனைந்து உரைத்தல்
Each kural is shown in Tamil with a transliteration and G. U. Pope's English verse translation. Open a kural for its plain English meaning.
நன்னீரை வாழி அனிச்சமே நின்னினும்
மென்னீரள் யாம்வீழ் பவள்.
Nanneerai Vaazhi Anichchame Ninninum
Menneeral Yaamveezh Paval
O flower of the sensitive plant! than theeMore tender's the maiden beloved by me
மலர்காணின் மையாத்தி நெஞ்சே இவள்கண்
பலர்காணும் பூவொக்கும் என்று.
Malarkaanin Maiyaaththi Nenje Ivalkan
Palarkaanum Poovokkum Endru
You deemed, as you saw the flowers, her eyes were as flowers, my soul, That many may see; it was surely some folly that over you stole
முறிமேனி முத்தம் முறுவல் வெறிநாற்றம்
வேலுண்கண் வேய்த்தோ ளவட்கு.
Murimeni Muththam Muruval Verinaatram
Velunkan Veyththo Lavatku
As tender shoot her frame; teeth, pearls; around her odours blend; Darts are the eyes of her whose shoulders like the bambu bend
காணின் குவளை கவிழ்ந்து நிலன்நோக்கும்
மாணிழை கண்ணொவ்வேம் என்று.
Kaanin Kuvalai Kavizhndhu Nilannokkum
Maanizhai Kannovvem Endru
The lotus, seeing her, with head demiss, the ground would eye, And say, 'With eyes of her, rich gems who wears, we cannot vie.'
அனிச்சப்பூக் கால்களையாள் பெய்தாள் நுகப்பிற்கு
நல்ல படாஅ பறை.
Anichchappook Kaalkalaiyaal Peydhaal Nukappirku
Nalla Pataaa Parai
The flowers of the sensitive plant as a girdle around her she placed; The stems she forgot to nip off; they 'll weigh down the delicate waist
மதியும் மடந்தை முகனும் அறியா
பதியின் கலங்கிய மீன்.
Madhiyum Matandhai Mukanum Ariyaa
Padhiyin Kalangiya Meen
The stars perplexed are rushing wildly from their spheres; For like another moon this maiden's face appears
அறுவாய் நிறைந்த அவிர்மதிக்குப் க்குப் போல
மறுவுண்டோ மாதர் முகத்து.
Aruvaai Niraindha Avirmadhikkup Pola
Maruvunto Maadhar Mukaththu
In moon, that waxing waning shines, as sports appear, Are any spots discerned in face of maiden here
மாதர் முகம்போல் ஒளிவிட வல்லையேல்
காதலை வாழி மத.
Maadhar Mukampol Olivita Vallaiyel
Kaadhalai Vaazhi Madhi
Farewell, O moon! If that thine orb could shineBright as her face, thou shouldst be love of mine
மலரன்ன கண்ணாள் முகமொத்தி யாயின்
பலர்காணத் தோன்றல் மதி.
Malaranna Kannaal Mukamoththi Yaayin
Palarkaanath Thondral Madhi
If as her face, whose eyes are flowers, thou wouldst have charms for me, Shine for my eyes alone, O moon, shine not for all to see
அனிச்சமும் அன்னத்தின் தூவியும் மாதர்
அடிக்கு நெருஞ்சிப் பழம்.
Anichchamum Annaththin Thooviyum Maadhar
Atikku Nerunjip Pazham
The flower of the sensitive plant, and the down on the swan's white breast, As the thorn are harsh, by the delicate feet of this maiden pressed
How Thirukkural is asked in TNPSC exams
Find your weak TNPSC units before the exam does
Take a free TNPSC assessment on PrepMatic. It shows where you stand across General Tamil, General Studies and Aptitude, then builds a day-by-day study plan and mock tests focused on your weak subjects.
Start free assessment →Free forever plan · No credit card · 2-minute setup