Thirukkural-On Virtue-Impermanence Of The World-Kural 334

The day shows itself as an entity, but in reality it is just The relentless movement of a saw, that cuts through life.

The day is not just the entity that it appears to be; it is the inexorable movement of a saw that cuts through life. This interpretation is based on Parimelalagar's. Manakudavar would interpret the expression 'Naalena onrupoal kaatti' as meaning, showing the day itself as an object of enjoyment. The comparison of time to a saw is found also in Sangam literature in the following line of Kurunthogai.

'Vaalpoal vaikarai vandhanraal'

Milton, the doyen among English poets, has given expression to the same thought thus –
'The scythe of time mows down'.