Declaration of Love's special Excellence

The dew on her white teeth, whose voice is soft and low,
Is as when milk and honey mingled flow

Explanation
The water which oozes from the white teeth of this soft speeched damsel is like a mixture of milk and honey.

Tamil Transliteration
Paalotu Thenkalan Thatre Panimozhi
Vaaleyiru Ooriya Neer.

Between this maid and me the friendship kind
Is as the bonds that soul and body bind

Explanation
The love between me and this damsel is like the union of body and soul.

Tamil Transliteration
Utampotu Uyiritai Ennamar Ranna
Matandhaiyotu Emmitai Natpu.

For her with beauteous brow, the maid I love, there place is none;
To give her image room, O pupil of mine eye, begone

Explanation
O you image in the pupil (of my eye)! depart; there is no room for (my) fair-browed beloved.

Tamil Transliteration
Karumaniyir Paavaainee Podhaayaam Veezhum
Thirunudharku Illai Itam.

Life is she to my very soul when she draws nigh;
Dissevered from the maid with jewels rare, I die

Explanation
My fair-jewelled one resembles the living soul (when she is in union with me), the dying soul when she leaves me.

Tamil Transliteration
Vaazhdhal Uyirkkannal Aayizhai Saadhal
Adharkannal Neengum Itaththu.

I might recall, if I could once forget; but from my heart
Her charms fade not, whose eyes gleam like the warrior's dart

Explanation
If I had forgotten her who has bright battling eyes, I would have remembered (thee); but I never forget her (Thus says he to her maid).

Tamil Transliteration
Ulluvan Manyaan Marappin Marappariyen
Ollamark Kannaal Kunam.

My loved one's subtle form departs not from my eyes;
I wink them not, lest I should pain him where he lies

Explanation
My lover would not depart from mine eyes; even if I wink, he would not suffer (from pain); he is so ethereal.

Tamil Transliteration
Kannullin Pokaar Imaippin Parukuvaraa
Nunniyarem Kaadha Lavar.

My love doth ever in my eyes reside;
I stain them not, fearing his form to hide

Explanation
As my lover abides in my eyes, I will not even paint them, for he would (then) have to conceal himself.

Tamil Transliteration
Kannullaar Kaadha Lavaraakak Kannum
Ezhudhem Karappaakku Arindhu.

Within my heart my lover dwells; from food I turn
That smacks of heat, lest he should feel it burn

Explanation
As my lover is in my heart, I am afraid of eating (anything) hot, for I know it would pain him.

Tamil Transliteration
Nenjaththaar Kaadha Lavaraaka Veydhuntal
Anjudhum Vepaak Karindhu.

I fear his form to hide, nor close my eyes:
'Her love estranged is gone!' the village cries

Explanation
I will not wink, knowing that if I did, my lover would hide himself; and for this reason, this town says, he is unloving.

Tamil Transliteration
Imaippin Karappaakku Arival Anaiththirke
Edhilar Ennum Iv Voor.

Rejoicing in my very soul he ever lies;
'Her love estranged is gone far off!' the village cries

Explanation
My lover dwells in my heart with perpetual delight; but the town says he is unloving and (therefore) dwells afar.

Tamil Transliteration
Uvandhuraivar Ullaththul Endrum Ikandhuraivar
Edhilar Ennum Iv Voor.