Translation:Tolkappiyam/Modes of comparison

by Tolkappiyar

use me to read Tamil

Source in Tamil

Note

The serial number at the end denotes the verse in the part of the literature

Translation

Example to the verse, cited by Elamburanar, an interpreter to the literature ‘Tolkappiyam’ who belongs to 11th century A.D. and others is given indented star-mark.

This chapter approaches to explain usage of comparison in literature as well as spoken language and classification of terms used to compare.

Basic notes to follow

This chapter deals with the styles of comparison language in verses.

Transslation

1. Activities, result, shape and color are four modes, the comparison raises. (1)
2. Combined modes of above are also adopted, says the learned. (2)
3. Object of the simile will be superior to the subject compared. (3)
4. The bases of comparison are four; the excellence, the goodness, the affection and strength. (4)
5. The fifth indignity base is may be added. (5)
6. A branch or arm of a subject may also be compared to an object. (6)
7. Comparison can be inferred even without conjunction referring to it. (7)
8. There should be resemblance between the subject and object compared. (8)
9. Metaphor is also a kind of simile. (9)
10. The magnanimity and inferiority appear by the message conveyed. (10)

Comparative conjunction – like

1. There are thirty six terms of comparative conjunctions in usage denoting like; [anna], [ee’yppa], [ur’za], [o’ppa], [e’nna], [maana], [o’nr’a], [odunga], [o’tta], [aanga], [venr’a], [viyappa], [e’ll’a], [vizaiya], [ir’appa], [n”ikarppa], [kall’a], [kaduppa], [aanga], [pulla], [poruva], [por’ppa], [poo’la], ve’lla], [viiza], [n”aada], [n”al’iya], [n”adunga], [n”an”tha], [oo’da] and [puraiya]. (11)
2. Among them eight terms of conjunctions are attached to verbs of actions; [anna], [aanga], [maana], [ir’appa], [e’nna], [ur’za], [thagaiya] and [n”oo’kka]. (12)
3. Term [anna] will end in denoting other modes of comparisons. (13)
4. These eight terms are attached to predicate; - [e’ll’a], [vizaiya], [pulla], [poruva], [kall’a], [mathippa], [ve’lla] and [viiza]. (14)
5. These eight terms are attached to nature of color etc. – [kaduppa], [ee’yppa], [marul’a], [puraiya], [o’tta], [o’dunda], [oo’tta] and [n”ikarppa]. (15)
6. These eight terms are attached to denote the size of an object; - [poo’la], [mar’uppa], [oppa], [kaayththa], [n”ra], [viyappa], [n”al’ya] and [n’’antha]. (16)
7. Meaning of comparison follows by usage. (17)
8. The four-fold modes may also appear in eight-fold. (18)
9. The greatness and littleness appear based on manifest emotions. (19)
10. The matter of what happened is also inferred from the usage of comparison. (20)
11. The object of comparison is followed from the usage of learned. (21)

Moods of comparison

1. Reduplicative words are also a kind of comparison. (22)
2. Matter of comparison varies in various contexts as per learned. (23)
3. There are five kinds of duplicate comparison according to usage of learned. (24)
4. They rise from the bases; - verb, object of result, arms or parts, qualities and sources. (25)
5. Heroine’s comparison appears in her limit of abiding place. (26)
6. The comparison of maid-friend of heroine extends to native place. (27)
7. Hero’s comparison will be strong beyond the known limit. (28)
8. Others’ comparison does not have the limit of dwelling place. (29)
9. The result of comparison will end in pleasure or pain. (30)
10. Heroine compares only in two places of modes. (31)
11. Hero compares beyond place limit. (32)
12. Conversation between foster-mother and her daughter (maid-friend of heroine) follows with the comparison according to their limit. (33)
13. Incomparable matters may also be compared. (34)
14. This is a kind of comparison. (35)
15. Inference of comparison among speech is also considered. (36)
16. It is like that in one way but not like that in other way - is also a kind of comparison. (37)
17. Too many comparisons should be avoided, where there is no occurrence of figure of speech such as transpose of matrix and splinted array of words in verses. (38)