My Word

சொல்லினால் தொடர்ச்சி நீ சொலப்படும் பொருளும் நீ
சொல்லினால் சொலப்படாது தோன்றுகின்ற சோதி நீ
சொல்லினால் படைக்க நீ படைக்கவந்து தோன்றினார்
சொல்லினால் சுருங்க நின் குணங்கள் சொல்லவல்லரே

- திருச்சந்தவிருத்தம் (திருமழிசை ஆழ்வார்)

Thou art what proceeds from The Word - thou art the import of what is enunciated
Thou art the light (of meaning) that eludes the word
Those whom thou created by thy Word shall go and build the world,
But, are they capable of - even briefly - describing thee in words?

I am deliberating not harping on the meaning that 'The Word' is a reference to the scriptures. For, without that, the simultaneous power and feebleness of the words is quite apparent in this e

The excellent rhythm in these poems - which translator is best advised to not even attempt to match - is, IMO, quite central to the feeling of 'rapture' that they generate in the reader.
Enjoy!

Comments

  1. Lovely poem. As you say, the rhythm is just not 'translatable'. We shouldn't even try. The way the great poets play with words (as well as 'word' :) ) without trivializing the poem is something poets must learn. (Reminds me of Kamban's 'vannam' poem).

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