Expostulation with Oneself

You see his heart is his alone
O heart, why not be all my own

Explanation
O my soul! although you have seen how his soul stands by him, how is it you do not stand by me?.

Tamil Transliteration
Avarnenju Avarkkaadhal Kantum Evannenje
Neeemakku Aakaa Thadhu.

'Tis plain, my heart, that he 's estranged from thee;
Why go to him as though he were not enemy

Explanation
O my soul! although you have known him who does not love me, still do you go to him, saying "he will not be displeased.".

Tamil Transliteration
Uraaa Thavarkkanta Kannum Avaraich
Cheraaarenach Cheriyen Nenju.

'The ruined have no friends, 'they say; and so, my heart,
To follow him, at thy desire, from me thou dost depart

Explanation
O my soul! do you follow him at pleasure under the belief that the ruined have no friends?.

Tamil Transliteration
Kettaarkku Nattaaril Enpadho Nenjenee
Pettaangu Avarpin Selal.

'See, thou first show offended pride, and then submit,' I bade;
Henceforth such council who will share with thee my heart

Explanation
O my soul! you would not first seem sulky and then enjoy (him); who then would in future consult you about such things?.

Tamil Transliteration
Inianna Ninnotu Soozhvaaryaar Nenje
Thuniseydhu Thuvvaaikaan Matru.

I fear I shall not gain, I fear to lose him when I gain;
And thus my heart endures unceasing pain

Explanation
My soul fears when it is without him; it also fears when it is with him; it is subject to incessant sorrow.

Tamil Transliteration
Peraaamai Anjum Perinpirivu Anjum
Araaa Itumpaiththen Nenju.

My heart consumes me when I ponder lone,
And all my lover's cruelty bemoan

Explanation
My mind has been (here) in order to eat me up (as it were) whenever I think of him in my solitude.

Tamil Transliteration
Thaniye Irundhu Ninaiththakkaal Ennaith
Thiniya Irundhadhen Nenju.

Fall'n 'neath the sway of this ignoble foolish heart,
Which will not him forget, I have forgotten shame

Explanation
I have even forgotten my modesty, having been caught in my foolish mind which is not dignified enough to forget him.

Tamil Transliteration
Naanum Marandhen Avarmarak Kallaaen
Maanaa Matanenjir Pattu.

If I contemn him, then disgrace awaits me evermore;
My soul that seeks to live his virtues numbers o'er

Explanation
My soul which clings to life thinks only of his (own) gain in the belief that it would be disgraceful for it to despise him.

Tamil Transliteration
Ellin Ilivaamendru Enni Avardhiram
Ullum Uyirkkaadhal Nenju.

And who will aid me in my hour of grief,
If my own heart comes not to my relief

Explanation
Who would help me out of one's distress, when one's own soul refuses help to one?.

Tamil Transliteration
Thunpaththirku Yaare Thunaiyaavaar Thaamutaiya
Nenjan Thunaiyal Vazhi.

A trifle is unfriendliness by aliens shown,
When our own heart itself is not our own

Explanation
It is hardly possible for strangers to behave like relations, when one's own soul acts like a stranger.

Tamil Transliteration
Thanjam Thamarallar Edhilaar Thaamutaiya
Nenjam Thamaral Vazhi.