The Praise of her Beauty

O flower of the sensitive plant! than thee
More tender's the maiden beloved by me

Explanation
May you flourish, O Anicham! you have a delicate nature But my beloved is more delicate than you.

Tamil Transliteration
Nanneerai Vaazhi Anichchame Ninninum
Menneeral Yaamveezh Paval.

You deemed, as you saw the flowers, her eyes were as flowers, my soul,
That many may see; it was surely some folly that over you stole

Explanation
O my soul, fancying that flowers which are seen by many can resemble her eyes, you become confused at the sight of them.

Tamil Transliteration
Malarkaanin Maiyaaththi Nenje Ivalkan
Palarkaanum Poovokkum Endru.

As tender shoot her frame; teeth, pearls; around her odours blend;
Darts are the eyes of her whose shoulders like the bambu bend

Explanation
The complexion of this bamboo-shouldered one is that of a shoot; her teeth, are pearls; her breath,.

Tamil Transliteration
Murimeni Muththam Muruval Verinaatram
Velunkan Veyththo Lavatku.

The lotus, seeing her, with head demiss, the ground would eye,
And say, 'With eyes of her, rich gems who wears, we cannot vie.'

Explanation
If the blue lotus could see, it would stoop and look at the ground saying, "I can never resemble the eyes of this excellent jewelled one.".

Tamil Transliteration
Kaanin Kuvalai Kavizhndhu Nilannokkum
Maanizhai Kannovvem Endru.

The flowers of the sensitive plant as a girdle around her she placed;
The stems she forgot to nip off; they 'll weigh down the delicate waist

Explanation
No merry drums will be beaten for the (tender) waist of her who has adorned herself with the anicham without having removed its stem.

Tamil Transliteration
Anichchappook Kaalkalaiyaal Peydhaal Nukappirku
Nalla Pataaa Parai.

The stars perplexed are rushing wildly from their spheres;
For like another moon this maiden's face appears

Explanation
The stars have become confused in their places not being able to distinguish between the moon and the maid's countenance.

Tamil Transliteration
Madhiyum Matandhai Mukanum Ariyaa
Padhiyin Kalangiya Meen.

In moon, that waxing waning shines, as sports appear,
Are any spots discerned in face of maiden here

Explanation
Could there be spots in the face of this maid like those in the bright full moon ?.

Tamil Transliteration
Aruvaai Niraindha Avirmadhikkup Pola
Maruvunto Maadhar Mukaththu.

Farewell, O moon! If that thine orb could shine
Bright as her face, thou shouldst be love of mine

Explanation
If you can indeed shine like the face of women, flourish, O moon, for then would you be worth loving ?.

Tamil Transliteration
Maadhar Mukampol Olivita Vallaiyel
Kaadhalai Vaazhi Madhi.

If as her face, whose eyes are flowers, thou wouldst have charms for me,
Shine for my eyes alone, O moon, shine not for all to see

Explanation
O moon, if you wish to resemble the face of her whose eyes are like (these) flowers, do not appear so as to be seen by all.

Tamil Transliteration
Malaranna Kannaal Mukamoththi Yaayin
Palarkaanath Thondral Madhi.

The flower of the sensitive plant, and the down on the swan's white breast,
As the thorn are harsh, by the delicate feet of this maiden pressed

Explanation
The anicham and the feathers of the swan are to the feet of females, like the fruit of the (thorny) Nerunji.

Tamil Transliteration
Anichchamum Annaththin Thooviyum Maadhar
Atikku Nerunjip Pazham.