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நாணுத் துறவுரைத்தல்: The Abandonment of Reserve
About this chapter
நாணுத் துறவுரைத்தல், the abandonment of reserve, is the lover's (தலைவன்) speech when his longing has become too strong to hide. The title means that he declares he is giving up shame (நாண்), the reserve that keeps feelings private.
The central image is மடல், the "palmyra horse" of the translations. In these kurals, riding it is a last resort for a lover who has no other help and is willing to expose his suffering in public. Kurals 1131 and 1132 say that for the lovesick the palmyra horse is the only strength, and that body and soul will cast off shame to mount it. Kural 1133 contrasts his earlier modesty and manliness with what he has left now. Kural 1134 puts the same loss as a raft of shame and manliness carried away by a flood. Kural 1135 blames her for the sorrow of evenings, and Kural 1136 says he thinks of mounting it even at midnight. Kural 1137 remarks that women, however stricken, do not resort to it. Kurals 1138 to 1140 describe the result, which is love breaking out of secrecy into public, the lover wandering the streets, and others laughing because they have never suffered as he has.
Kural 1134 has the chapter's clearest image.
The 10 kurals of நாணுத் துறவுரைத்தல்
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.
காமம் உழந்து வருந்தினார்க்கு ஏமம்
மடலல்லது இல்லை வலி.
Kaamam Uzhandhu Varundhinaarkku Emam
Matalalladhu Illai Vali
To those who 've proved love's joy, and now afflicted mourn, Except the helpful 'horse of palm', no other strength remains
நோனா உடம்பும் உயிரும் மடலேறும்
நாணினை நீக்கி நிறுத்து.
Nonaa Utampum Uyirum Matalerum
Naaninai Neekki Niruththu
My body and my soul, that can no more endure, Will lay reserve aside, and mount the 'horse of palm'
நாணொடு நல்லாண்மை பண்டுடையேன் இன்றுடையேன்
காமுற்றார் ஏறும் மடல்.
Naanotu Nallaanmai Pantutaiyen Indrutaiyen
Kaamutraar Erum Matal
I once retained reserve and seemly manliness; To-day I nought possess but lovers' 'horse of palm'
காமக் கடும்புனல் உய்க்கும் நாணொடு
நல்லாண்மை என்னும் புணை.
Kaamak Katumpunal Uykkum Naanotu
Nallaanmai Ennum Punai
Love's rushing tide will sweep away the raftOf seemly manliness and shame combined
தொடலைக் குறுந்தொடி தந்தாள் மடலொடு
மாலை உழக்கும் துயர்.
Thotalaik Kurundhoti Thandhaal Matalotu
Maalai Uzhakkum Thuyar
The maid that slender armlets wears, like flowers entwined, Has brought me 'horse of palm,' and pangs of eventide
மடலூர்தல் யாமத்தும் உள்ளுவேன் மன்ற
படல்ஒல்லா பேதைக்கென் கண்.
Mataloordhal Yaamaththum Ulluven Mandra
Patalollaa Pedhaikken Kan
Of climbing 'horse of palm' in midnight hour, I think; My eyes know no repose for that same simple maid
கடலன்ன காமம் உழந்தும் மடலேறாப்
பெண்ணின் பெருந்தக்க தில்.
Katalanna Kaamam Uzhandhum Mataleraap
Pennin Perundhakka Thil
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'
நிறையரியர் மன்அளியர் என்னாது காமம்
மறையிறந்து மன்று படும்.
Niraiyariyar Manaliyar Ennaadhu Kaamam
Maraiyirandhu Mandru Patum
In virtue hard to move, yet very tender, too, are we; Love deems not so, would rend the veil, and court publicity
அறிகிலார் எல்லாரும் என்றேஎன் காமம்
மறுகின் மறுகும் மருண்டு.
Arikilaar Ellaarum Endreen Kaamam
Marukin Marukum Maruntu
'There's no one knows my heart,' so says my love, And thus, in public ways, perturbed will rove
யாம்கண்ணின் காண நகுப அறிவில்லார்
யாம்பட்ட தாம்படா ஆறு.
Yaamkannin Kaana Nakupa Arivillaar
Yaampatta Thaampataa Aaru
Before my eyes the foolish make a mock of me, Because they ne'er endured the pangs I now must drie
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