Reserve Overcome
நாணம் எனும் கதவை உடைத்துக் கொண்டு பொங்கி எழும் காதலின் வேகத்தை உரைத்தல். — Admitting that the strong door of self-possession has been shattered by the axe of desire.
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ceṟṟārpiṉ cellāp peruntakaimai kāmanō / yuṟṟa raṟivatoṉ ṟaṉṟu.
“The dignity that seeks not him who acts as foe, / Is the one thing that loving heart can never know.”
“The stern self-respect that refuseth to seek the beloved though he hath cruelly deserted, is a thing unknown to the lovesick fair.”
The great dignity that does not go after one who has turned away is not something known to those the sickness of desire has taken.
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Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
செற்றார்பின் செல்லாப் பெருந்தகைமை= தம்மை அகன்றுசென்றார் பின் செல்லாது தாமும் அகன்றுநிற்கும் நிறையுடைமை; காமநோய் உற்றார் அறிவது ஒன்றுஅன்று= காமநோயினை உறாதார் அறிவது ஒன்றன்றி உற்றார் அறிவது ஒன்றன்று, எ-று.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
The proud dignity that refuses to pursue a departed lover is known only to those untouched by love; those stricken by desire can never maintain it.