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நிறையழிதல்: Reserve Overcome
About this chapter
நிறையழிதல், reserve overcome (the collapse of composure), is the wife's (தலைவி) account of how love breaks down her self-restraint. The word நிறை, "reserve" or "firmness", refers to the composure and self-restraint the speaker tries to keep, and the chapter shows it failing against desire.
Kural 1251 gives the central image: the axe of desire breaks through the door of reserve, which was bolted with the bar of shame. Kural 1252 says that love gives her no rest even at midnight, and Kural 1253 that it breaks out like a sneeze however much she tries to hide it. Kural 1254 repeats this. She believed herself firm, but her longing comes out of hiding and into public view. Kurals 1255 and 1256 turn on the idea of dignity. A dignity that would not go after someone who has gone is unknown to those struck by love, and she asks what merit there is in her sorrowing wish to follow him. Kural 1257 says she knows no shame when her beloved does what she desires. Kural 1258 calls his coaxing words the weapon that breaks her firmness. Kurals 1259 and 1260 end with a pair of small scenes. She decided to feign displeasure and left, only to embrace him as her heart melted. Hearts that are like fat in a flame cannot stand aloof.
Kural 1251 is the one to read first, for the axe and the door.
The 10 kurals of நிறையழிதல்
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.
காமக் கணிச்சி உடைக்கும் நிறையென்னும்
நாணுத்தாழ் வீழ்த்த கதவு.
Kaamak Kanichchi Utaikkum Niraiyennum
Naanuththaazh Veezhththa Kadhavu
Of womanly reserve love's axe breaks through the door, Barred by the bolt of shame before
காமம் எனவொன்றோ கண்ணின்றென் நெஞ்சத்தை
யாமத்தும் ஆளும் தொழில்.
Kaamam Enavondro Kannindren Nenjaththai
Yaamaththum Aalum Thozhil
What men call love is the one thing of merciless power; It gives my soul no rest, e'en in the midnight hour
மறைப்பேன்மன் காமத்தை யானோ குறிப்பின்றித்
தும்மல்போல் தோன்றி விடும்.
Maraippenman Kaamaththai Yaano Kurippindrith
Thummalpol Thondri Vitum
I would my love conceal, but like a sneezeIt shows itself, and gives no warning sign
நிறையுடையேன் என்பேன்மன் யானோஎன் காமம்
மறையிறந்து மன்று படும்.
Niraiyutaiyen Enpenman Yaanoen Kaamam
Maraiyirandhu Mandru Patum
In womanly reserve I deemed myself beyond assail; But love will come abroad, and casts away the veil
செற்றார்பின் செல்லாப் பெருந்தகைமை காமநோய்
உற்றார் அறிவதொன்று அன்று.
Setraarpin Sellaap Perundhakaimai Kaamanoi
Utraar Arivadhondru Andru
The dignity that seeks not him who acts as foe, Is the one thing that loving heart can never know
செற்றவர் பின்சேறல் வேண்டி அளித்தரோ
எற்றென்னை உற்ற துயர்.
Setravar Pinseral Venti Aliththaro
Etrennai Utra Thuyar
My grief how full of grace, I pray you see!It seeks to follow him that hateth me
நாணென ஒன்றோ அறியலம் காமத்தால்
பேணியார் பெட்ப செயின்.
Naanena Ondro Ariyalam Kaamaththaal
Peniyaar Petpa Seyin
No sense of shame my gladdened mind shall prove, When he returns my longing heart to bless with love
பன்மாயக் கள்வன் பணிமொழி அன்றோநம்
பெண்மை உடைக்கும் படை.
Panmaayak Kalvan Panimozhi Andronam
Penmai Utaikkum Patai
The words of that deceiver, versed in every wily art, Are instruments that break through every guard of woman's heart
புலப்பல் எனச்சென்றேன் புல்லினேன் நெஞ்சம்
கலத்தல் உறுவது கண்டு.
Pulappal Enachchendren Pullinen Nenjam
Kalaththal Uruvadhu Kantu
'I 'll shun his greeting'; saying thus with pride away I went:I held him in my arms, for straight I felt my heart relent
நிணந்தீயில் இட்டன்ன நெஞ்சினார்க்கு உண்டோ
புணர்ந்தூடி நிற்பேம் எனல்.
Ninandheeyil Ittanna Nenjinaarkku Unto
Punarndhooti Nirpem Enal
'We 'll stand aloof and then embrace': is this for them to say, Whose hearts are as the fat that in the blaze dissolves away
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