முன்னொரு சமயம் நான் அவரைத் தழுவிக் கிடந்தேன்; கொஞ்சம் விலகினேன்; அவ்வளவுதான்; இந்தப் பசலை என்னை அப்படியே அள்ளிக் கொள்வது போல் வந்துவிட்டது.

தழுவிக் கிடந்தேன்; சற்றுத் தள்ளிப் படுத்தேன்; அவ்வளவுதான்; என்னை அள்ளிக் கொண்டு விட்டதே பசலை நிறம்!

தலைவனைத் தழுவிக் கிடந்தேன்; பக்கத்தே சிறிது அகன்றேன்; அவ்வளவிலேயே பசலை நிறம் அள்ளிக் கொள்வதுபோல் வந்து பரவி விட்டதே!

I who was in close embrace just turned aside and the moment I did so, sallowness came on me like something to be seized on

The Kural 1187 is a poignant expression of the poet's deep longing and sorrow from separation. Here, Valluvar portrays the intensity of the lover's pain when distanced from their beloved, even momentarily. The verse says, "I was once in a close embrace with my beloved; but I just turned aside for a moment; that much time was enough for me to be seized by sallowness (pallor of face caused by longing)". This verse is rich in emotional content and uses the imagery of physical pallor to describe the emotional effect of separation. The poet conveys that the longing for the beloved is so profound that even a brief moment of separation can cause visible changes in the lover's demeanor, akin to physical illness. The verse also underlines the depth of the bond between lovers and the immense emotional toll taken by separation, however brief. It shares the universal human experience of longing and the discomfort caused by the absence of a loved one, suggesting that love can profoundly affect our physical and emotional states. In a broader sense, this verse could be interpreted to mean that true love is marked by a deep interconnectedness where the absence of the loved one can cause a physical and emotional upheaval. It emphasizes that love is not merely a feeling but a powerful force that can significantly influence our well-being.