மை தீட்டப்பட்ட இந்தக் கண்கள் நான் தப்பிக்கவும், வாழவும் முடியாத காதல் துன்பத்தை எனக்குத் தந்துவிட்டுத் தாமும் அழ முடியாமல் நீர் வற்றிப் போய்விட்டன.

தப்பிப் பிழைக்க முடியாத, தீராத காதல் நோயை எனக்குத் தருவதற்குக் காரணமான என் கண்கள், தாமும் அழ முடியாமல் வற்றிப் போய்விட்டன

என் கண்கள், தப்பிப் பிழைக்க முடியாத தீராத காமநோயை என்னிடத்தில் உண்டாக்கி நிறுத்திவிட்டு, தாமும் அழமுடியாமல் நீர் வறண்டு விட்டன.

These painted eyes have caused me a lasting mortal disease; and now they can weep no more, the tears having dried up

Kural 1174 delves into the poignant realm of unrequited love. The verse is a metaphorical lament of the protagonist about the unbearable pain of love that has been inflicted upon him by his own eyes. The 'painted eyes' here refer to his own eyes that are enamored by the object of his affection. The 'lasting mortal disease' symbolizes the unending torment of unreciprocated love, which is so intense that it feels like a fatal ailment. This pain is so relentless and profound that it has drained him of his tears - 'the tears having dried up'. This signifies the extent of his suffering, that he has wept so much for his unrequited love, that he has no more tears left to shed. The verse is a depiction of the extreme emotional turmoil experienced in the throes of one-sided love. The protagonist blames his own eyes for this plight, for it was they who first beheld and were captivated by the object of his love. But now, they are incapable of expressing his sorrow through tears, having exhausted their capacity to weep. In essence, the verse captures the profound despair and intense emotional suffering often associated with unreciprocated love, and the inability to express this pain further, as even the tears have dried up.