Reading Unspoken Signs
Tap an underlined Tamil word to explore its sound, meaning, and use.
mukanōkki niṟka vamaiyu makanōkki / yuṟṟa tuṇarvārp peṟiṉ.
“To see the face is quite enough, in presence brought, / When men can look within and know the lurking thought.”
“If thou canst find a man that is able to read the inside of thy heart without words, it is enough that thou merely lookest towards him and thy wishes will be fulfilled.”
If one gains a person who can look into the mind through signs, understand the distress that has befallen, and relieve it, merely standing face to face is enough.
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Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
அகம் நோக்கி உற்றது உணர்வார்ப் பெறின்- குறையுறுவானும் தன் மனத்தைக் குறிப்பான்அறிந்து தானுற்ற அதனைத் தீர்ப்பாரைப்பெறின்; முகம் நோக்கி நிற்க அமையும்- அவர் தன் முகம் நோக்கும் வகை, தானும் அவர் முகநோக்கி அவ்வெல்லைக்கண் நிற்க அமையும்.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
If one has a discerning companion who can perceive what is in the heart and resolve distress, it is enough merely to stand facing them.