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ஊடலுவகை: The Pleasures of Temporary Variance
About this chapter
ஊடலுவகை, the pleasures of temporary variance (the joy of lovers' quarrels), is the last of the three chapters on pouting and the final chapter of the Thirukkural. Its point is that a brief quarrel sweetens love. The voices of husband and wife alternate.
Kural 1321 begins with the wife's admission that even if her husband has no fault, his very loving makes her pout. Kural 1322 says that the slight pain of pouting makes his love flourish even when it seems to wither. Kural 1323 asks whether there is a heaven that can match the pouting of lovers who are as united as earth and water. Kural 1324 calls a lingering pout after an embrace a weapon that can break the heart. Kural 1325 says that a brief estrangement from one's beloved has its own charm, even without any fault. Kural 1326 offers the chapter's most striking comparison: digesting a meal is sweeter than eating it, as a quarrel is sweeter than union. Kural 1327 says the one who gives way in a quarrel wins, as is seen when they unite. Kurals 1328 and 1329 are the husband's wishes: to taste again the salt of union, and for her to keep pouting while the night lasts. Kural 1330 ends the work by saying that quarrelling brings delight to love, and that delight is crowned by an embrace.
Kural 1326 and Kural 1330 are the two to know. Kural 1330 is the last of the 1,330 kurals.
The 10 kurals of ஊடலுவகை
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.
இல்லை தவறவர்க்கு ஆயினும் ஊடுதல்
வல்லது அவர்அளக்கு மாறு.
Illai Thavaravarkku Aayinum Ootudhal
Valladhu Avaralikku Maaru
Although there be no fault in him, the sweetness of his loveHath power in me a fretful jealousy to move
ஊடலின் தோன்றும் சிறுதுனி நல்லளி
வாடினும் பாடு பெறும்.
Ootalin Thondrum Sirudhuni Nallali
Vaatinum Paatu Perum
My 'anger feigned' gives but a little pain; And when affection droops, it makes it bloom again
புலத்தலின் புத்தேள்நாடு உண்டோ நிலத்தொடு
நீரியைந் தன்னார் அகத்து.
Pulaththalin Puththelnaatu Unto Nilaththotu
Neeriyain Thannaar Akaththu
Is there a bliss in any world more utterly divine, Than 'coyness' gives, when hearts as earth and water join
புல்லி விடாஅப் புலவியுள் தோன்றுமென்
உள்ளம் உடைக்கும் படை.
Pulli Vitaaap Pulaviyul Thondrumen
Ullam Utaikkum Patai
'Within the anger feigned' that close love's tie doth bind, A weapon lurks, which quite breaks down my mind
தவறிலர் ஆயினும் தாம்வீழ்வார் மென்றோள்
அகறலின் ஆங்கொன் றுடைத்து.
Thavarilar Aayinum Thaamveezhvaar Mendrol
Akaralin Aangon Rutaiththu
Though free from fault, from loved one's tender armsTo be estranged a while hath its own special charms
உணலினும் உண்டது அறல்இனிது காமம்
புணர்தலின் ஊடல் இனிது.
Unalinum Untadhu Aralinidhu Kaamam
Punardhalin Ootal Inidhu
'Tis sweeter to digest your food than 'tis to eat; In love, than union's self is anger feigned more sweet
ஊடலில் தோற்றவர் வென்றார் அதுமன்னும்
கூடலிற் காணப் படும்.
Ootalil Thotravar Vendraar Adhumannum
Kootalir Kaanap Patum
In lovers' quarrels, 'tis the one that first gives way, That in re-union's joy is seen to win the day
ஊடிப் பெறுகுவம் கொல்லோ நுதல்வெயர்ப்பக்
கூடலில் தோன்றிய உப்பு.
Ootip Perukuvam Kollo Nudhalveyarppak
Kootalil Thondriya Uppu
And shall we ever more the sweetness know of that embraceWith dewy brow; to which 'feigned anger' lent its piquant grace
ஊடுக மன்னோ ஒளியிழை யாமிரப்ப
நீடுக மன்னோ இரா.
Ootuka Manno Oliyizhai Yaamirappa
Neetuka Manno Iraa
Let her, whose jewels brightly shine, aversion feignThat I may still plead on, O night, prolong thy reign
ஊடுதல் காமத்திற்கு இன்பம் அதற்கின்பம்
கூடி முயங்கப் பெறின்.
Ootudhal Kaamaththirku Inpam Adharkinpam
Kooti Muyangap Perin
A 'feigned aversion' coy to pleasure gives a zest; The pleasure's crowned when breast is clasped to breast
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