முன்பும்கூட, அந்தப் பக்கம் என் அன்பர் போயிருப்பார்; இந்தப் பக்கம் என் மேனி பசலை கொண்டு விடும். முன்பே அப்படி என்றால் இப்போது எப்படி இருக்கும்?

என்னைப் பிரிந்து காதலர் சிறிது தொலைவுகூடச் செல்லவில்லை; அதற்குள்ளாக என் மேனியில் படர்ந்து விட்டதே பசலை நிறம்

அதோ பார்! எம்முடைய காதலர் பிரிந்து செல்கின்றார்; இதோ பார்! என்னுடைய மேனியில் பசலை நிறம் வந்து படர்கிறது.

Just as my lover departed then, did not sallowness spread here on my person ?

This Kural is a poignant expression of the pain of separation in love. The poetess, presumably Avvaiyar, is depicting her own emotional state after her lover's departure. She uses the metaphor of her skin turning sallow, a physical manifestation of her emotional distress, to depict the depth of her sorrow. The verse begins with a reference to her lover's departure. The fact that he is still considered a 'lover' implies that their relationship was one of deep affection and mutual respect, making his departure all the more painful. The second part of the verse describes the effect this separation has had on her. She notes that her skin has turned sallow or pale, a common symptom of emotional stress or depression. The use of this physical symptom serves to underscore the depth of her emotional pain, showing that it is not just a mental or emotional state, but something that affects her physically as well. The underlying message is the profound impact of love and separation on our lives. Love can imbue our lives with joy and meaning, but its absence can also bring about deep sorrow and physical distress. This verse is a reminder that love and pain often go hand in hand, and that the depth of our love can often be measured by the depth of our sorrow in its absence.