Thiruvalluvar Statue and the adjacent Vivekananda Rock Memorial at sunrise.
Original uploader was Infocaster at en.wikipedia – Transferred from en.wikipedia; transferred to Commons by User:BishkekRocks using CommonsHelper.
I have always been fascinated by Thirukkuralfor it is sheer breath and depth. Every time you study the couplets you get a new insight into a whole range of subjects and issues.
Once, in a casual discussion with some of my North Indian friends I happened to mention the book . The topic of discussion was Indian contribution to Civilization. Just as I was preparing to build a case for arguing that this was the greatest contribution to the world by India, I noticed the blank faces and raised eyebrows all around. I kept going nonchalantly, till a guy blurted out ,“ Thirukkural ? What the hell is it ?” Since then I generally kept my thoughts to myself on this great work, particularly when in the company of friends from north of the Vindhyas.
Of late I have noted some quotes and mis-quotes on the social media and for whatever reason people seem to be showing some interest in talking about it , if not studying it or following the teachings. So, I venture to write a brief note on what it is all about. It would be preposterous to say , it is a critique or a review of the work ,may be just a glimpse of one view of a huge mountain as seen from a particular spot; just a primer for my North Indian friends
Basically, it is composed of couplets like the dohas of Kabir das or Rahim. What is remarkable is that these verses are so well organized to cover every aspect of human endeavour over centuries. It pans across time and space to continue to be as relevant today in this ‘Whatsapp Age’ as it was 2000 years before in an agrarian society. The book covers Ethics and value system in a society as much as an individual’s quest for fulfilment in terms of peace , prosperity fame and love. If Valluvar’s advice to a king during war places him at par with SunTzu , his verses on ethics and love reminds you of Lao-Tzu and Vatsyayana. Unlike Vatsyayana who covers the physical aspects of Love in detail, Valluvar focuses more on the psychological aspects.
Keeping in line with the concept of Dharma (Duty or Righteousness), Artha (Wealth) and kama (Pleasure) , it is broadly divided into ‘arathuppal’, ‘porutpal’ and ‘Kaamathupal’ Then there are chapters under each part and each chapter is divided into sections . Each section has 10 verses . Thus the book of 1330 verses covers 133 sections. The importance of an aspect to life may be gauged by the number of verses on a particular aspect. For eg the importance of ‘company one keeps’ can be seen from the 50 verses under various heads viz 79 – 83. The 133 subjects covered are tabulated below. (Courtesy : http://www.gokulnath.com)
| Tamil | English | Transliteration | Kurals | |
| 1 | கடவுள் வாழ்த்து | The Praise of God | Katavul Vaazhththu | Kurals |
| 2 | வான்சிறப்பு | The Blessing of Rain | Vaansirappu | Kurals |
| 3 | நீத்தார் பெருமை | The Greatness of Ascetics | Neeththaar Perumai | Kurals |
| 4 | அறன் வலியுறுத்தல் | Assertion of the Strength of Virtue | Aran Valiyuruththal | Kurals |
| 5 | இல்வாழ்க்கை | Domestic Life | Ilvaazhkkai | Kurals |
| 6 | வாழ்க்கைத் துணைநலம் | The Worth of a Wife | Vaazhkkaith Thunainalam | Kurals |
| 7 | மக்கட்பேறு | The Wealth of Children | Pudhalvaraip Perudhal | Kurals |
| 8 | அன்புடைமை | The Possession of Love | Anputaimai | Kurals |
| 9 | விருந்தோம்பல் | Hospitality | Virundhompal | Kurals |
| 10 | இனியவை கூறல் | The Utterance of Pleasant Words | Iniyavaikooral | Kurals |
| 11 | செய்ந்நன்றியறிதல் | Gratitude | Seynnandri Aridhal | Kurals |
| 12 | நடுவு நிலைமை | Impartiality | Natuvu Nilaimai | Kurals |
| 13 | அடக்கம் உடைமை | The Possession of Self-restraint | Atakkamutaimai | Kurals |
| 14 | ஒழுக்கம் உடைமை | The Possession of Decorum | Ozhukkamutaimai | Kurals |
| 15 | பிறனில் விழையாமை | Not coveting another’s Wife | Piranil Vizhaiyaamai | Kurals |
| 16 | பொறையுடைமை | The Possession of Patience, Forbearance | Poraiyutaimai | Kurals |
| 17 | அழுக்காறாமை | Not Envying | Azhukkaaraamai | Kurals |
| 18 | வெஃகாமை | Not Coveting | Veqkaamai | Kurals |
| 19 | புறங்கூறாமை | Not Backbiting | Purangooraamai | Kurals |
| 20 | பயனில சொல்லாமை | Against Vain Speaking | Payanila Sollaamai | Kurals |
| 21 | தீவினையச்சம் | Dread of Evil Deeds | Theevinaiyachcham | Kurals |
| 22 | ஒப்புரவறிதல் | Duty to Society | Oppuravaridhal | Kurals |
| 23 | ஈ.கை | Giving | Eekai | Kurals |
| 24 | புகழ் | Renown | Pukazh | Kurals |
| 25 | அருளுடைமை | Compassion | Arulutaimai | Kurals |
| 26 | புலால் மறுத்தல் | Abstinence from Flesh | Pulaanmaruththal | Kurals |
| 27 | தவம் | Penance | Thavam | Kurals |
| 28 | கூடா ஒழுக்கம் | Imposture | Kootaavozhukkam | Kurals |
| 29 | கள்ளாமை | The Absence of Fraud | Kallaamai | Kurals |
| 30 | வாய்மை | Veracity | Vaaimai | Kurals |
| 31 | வெகுளாமை | Restraining Anger | Vekulaamai | Kurals |
| 32 | இன்னா செய்யாமை | Not doing Evil | Innaaseyyaamai | Kurals |
| 33 | கொல்லாமை | Not killing | Kollaamai | Kurals |
| 34 | நிலையாமை | Instability | Nilaiyaamai | Kurals |
| 35 | துறவு | Renunciation | Thuravu | Kurals |
| 36 | மெய்யுணர்தல் | Truth-Conciousness | Meyyunardhal | Kurals |
| 37 | அவா அறுத்தல் | Curbing of Desire | Avaavaruththal | Kurals |
| 38 | ஊழ் | Fate | Oozh | Kurals |
| 39 | இறைமாட்சி | The Greatness of a King | Iraimaatchi | Kurals |
| 40 | கல்வி | Learning | Kalvi | Kurals |
| 41 | கல்லாமை | Ignorance | Kallaamai | Kurals |
| 42 | கேள்வி | Hearing | Kelvi | Kurals |
| 43 | அறிவுடைமை | The Possession of Knowledge | Arivutaimai | Kurals |
| 44 | குற்றங்கடிதல் | The Correction of Faults | Kutrangatidhal | Kurals |
| 45 | பெரியாரைத் துணைக்கோடல் | Seeking the Aid of Great Men | Periyaaraith Thunaikkotal | Kurals |
| 46 | சிற்றினம் சேராமை | Avoiding mean Associations | Sitrinanjeraamai | Kurals |
| 47 | தெரிந்து செயல்வகை | Acting after due Consideration | Therindhuseyalvakai | Kurals |
| 48 | வலியறிதல் | The Knowledge of Power | Valiyaridhal | Kurals |
| 49 | காலமறிதல் | Knowing the fitting Time | Kaalamaridhal | Kurals |
| 50 | இடனறிதல் | Knowing the Place | Itanaridhal | Kurals |
| 51 | தெரிந்து தெளிதல் | Selection and Confidence | Therindhudhelidhal | Kurals |
| 52 | தெரிந்து வினையாடல் | Selection and Employment | Therindhuvinaiyaatal | Kurals |
| 53 | சுற்றந் தழால் | Cherishing Kinsmen | Sutrandhazhaal | Kurals |
| 54 | பொச்சாவாமை | Unforgetfulness | Pochchaavaamai | Kurals |
| 55 | செங்கோன்மை | The Right Sceptre | Sengonmai | Kurals |
| 56 | கொடுங்கோன்மை | The Cruel Sceptre | Kotungonmai | Kurals |
| 57 | வெருவந்த செய்யாமை | Absence of Terrorism | Veruvandhaseyyaamai | Kurals |
| 58 | கண்ணோட்டம் | Benignity | Kannottam | Kurals |
| 59 | ஒற்றாடல் | Detectives | Otraatal | Kurals |
| 60 | ஊக்கம் உடைமை | Energy | Ookkamutaimai | Kurals |
| 61 | மடி இன்மை | Unsluggishness | Matiyinmai | Kurals |
| 62 | ஆள்வினை உடைமை | Manly Effort | Aalvinaiyutaimai | Kurals |
| 63 | இடுக்கண் அழியாமை | Hopefulness in Trouble | Itukkan Azhiyaamai | Kurals |
| 64 | அமைச்சு | The Office of Minister of state | Amaichchu | Kurals |
| 65 | சொல்வன்மை | Power of Speech | Solvanmai | Kurals |
| 66 | வினைத் தூய்மை | Purity in Action | Vinaiththooimai | Kurals |
| 67 | வினைத்திட்பம் | Power in Action | Vinaiththitpam | Kurals |
| 68 | வினை செயல்வகை | Modes of Action | Vinaiseyalvakai | Kurals |
| 69 | தூது | The Envoy | Thoodhu | Kurals |
| 70 | மன்னரைச் சேர்ந்து ஒழுகல் | Conduct in the Presence of the King | Mannaraich Cherndhozhudhal | Kurals |
| 71 | குறிப்பறிதல் | The Knowledge of Indications | Kuripparidhal | Kurals |
| 72 | அவை அறிதல் | The Knowledge of the Council Chamber | Avaiyaridhal | Kurals |
| 73 | அவை அஞ்சாமை | Not to dread the Council | Avaiyanjaamai | Kurals |
| 74 | நாடு | The Land | Naatu | Kurals |
| 75 | அரண் | The Fortification | Aran | Kurals |
| 76 | பொருள் செயல்வகை | Way of Accumulating Wealth | Porulseyalvakai | Kurals |
| 77 | படை மாட்சி | The Excellence of an Army | Pataimaatchi | Kurals |
| 78 | படைச் செருக்கு | Military Spirit | Pataichcherukku | Kurals |
| 79 | நட்பு | Friendship | Natpu | Kurals |
| 80 | நட்பாராய்தல் | Investigation in forming Friendships | Natpaaraaidhal | Kurals |
| 81 | பழைமை | Familiarity | Pazhaimai | Kurals |
| 82 | தீ நட்பு | Evil Friendship | Thee Natpu | Kurals |
| 83 | கூடா நட்பு | Unreal Friendship | Kootaanatpu | Kurals |
| 84 | பேதைமை | Folly | Pedhaimai | Kurals |
| 85 | புல்லறிவாண்மை | Ignorance | Pullarivaanmai | Kurals |
| 86 | இகல் | Hostility | Ikal | Kurals |
| 87 | பகை மாட்சி | The Might of Hatred | Pakaimaatchi | Kurals |
| 88 | பகைத்திறம் தெரிதல் | Knowing the Quality of Hate | Pakaiththirandheridhal | Kurals |
| 89 | உட்பகை | Enmity within | Utpakai | Kurals |
| 90 | பெரியாரைப் பிழையாமை | Not Offending the Great | Periyaaraip Pizhaiyaamai | Kurals |
| 91 | பெண்வழிச் சேறல் | Being led by Women | Penvazhichcheral | Kurals |
| 92 | வரைவின் மகளிர் | Wanton Women | Varaivinmakalir | Kurals |
| 93 | கள்ளுண்ணாமை | Not Drinking Palm-Wine | Kallunnaamai | Kurals |
| 94 | சூது | Gambling | Soodhu | Kurals |
| 95 | மருந்து | Medicine | Marundhu | Kurals |
| 96 | குடிமை | Nobility | Kutimai | Kurals |
| 97 | மானம் | Honour | Maanam | Kurals |
| 98 | பெருமை | Greatness | Perumai | Kurals |
| 99 | சான்றாண்மை | Perfectness | Saandraanmai | Kurals |
| 100 | பண்புடைமை | Courtesy | Panputaimai | Kurals |
| 101 | நன்றியில் செல்வம் | Wealth without Benefaction | Nandriyilselvam | Kurals |
| 102 | நாணுடைமை | Shame | Naanutaimai | Kurals |
| 103 | குடிசெயல் வகை | The Way of Maintaining the Family | Kutiseyalvakai | Kurals |
| 104 | உழவு | Farming | Uzhavu | Kurals |
| 105 | நல்குரவு | Poverty | Nalkuravu | Kurals |
| 106 | இரவு | Mendicancy | Iravu | Kurals |
| 107 | இரவச்சம் | The Dread of Mendicancy | Iravachcham | Kurals |
| 108 | கயமை | Baseness | Kayamai | Kurals |
| 109 | தகை அணங்குறுத்தல் | The Pre-marital love | Thakaiyananguruththal | Kurals |
| 110 | குறிப்பறிதல் | Recognition of the Signs | Kuripparidhal | Kurals |
| 111 | புணர்ச்சி மகிழ்தல் | Rejoicing in the Embrace | Punarchchimakizhdhal | Kurals |
| 112 | நலம் புனைந்து உரைத்தல் | The Praise of her Beauty | Nalampunaindhuraiththal | Kurals |
| 113 | காதற் சிறப்புரைத்தல் | Declaration of Love’s special Excellence | Kaadharsirappuraiththal | Kurals |
| 114 | நாணுத் துறவுரைத்தல் | The Abandonment of Reserve | Naanuththuravuraiththal | Kurals |
| 115 | அலர் அறிவுறுத்தல் | The Announcement of the Rumour | Alararivuruththal | Kurals |
| 116 | பிரிவு ஆற்றாமை | Separation unendurable | Pirivaatraamai | Kurals |
| 117 | படர்மெலிந் திரங்கல் | Complainings | Patarmelindhirangal | Kurals |
| 118 | கண் விதுப்பழிதல் | Eyes consumed with Grief | Kanvidhuppazhidhal | Kurals |
| 119 | பசப்புறு பருவரல் | The Pallid Hue | Pasapparuparuvaral | Kurals |
| 120 | தனிப்படர் மிகுதி | The Solitary Anguish | Thanippatarmikudhi | Kurals |
| 121 | நினைந்தவர் புலம்பல் | Sad Memories | Ninaindhavarpulampal | Kurals |
| 122 | கனவுநிலை உரைத்தல் | The Visions of the Night | Kanavunilaiyuraiththal | Kurals |
| 123 | பொழுதுகண்டு இரங்கல் | Lamentations at Eventide | Pozhudhukantirangal | Kurals |
| 124 | உறுப்புநலன் அழிதல் | Wasting Away | Uruppunalanazhidhal | Kurals |
| 125 | நெஞ்சொடு கிளத்தல் | Soliloquy | Nenjotukilaththal | Kurals |
| 126 | நிறையழிதல் | Reserve Overcome | Niraiyazhidhal | Kurals |
| 127 | அவர்வயின் விதும்பல் | Mutual Desire | Avarvayinvidhumpal | Kurals |
| 128 | குறிப்பறிவுறுத்தல் | The Reading of the Signs | Kuripparivuruththal | Kurals |
| 129 | புணர்ச்சி விதும்பல் | Desire for Reunion | Punarchchividhumpal | Kurals |
| 130 | நெஞ்சொடு புலத்தல் | Expostulation with Oneself | Nenjotupulaththal | Kurals |
| 131 | புலவி | Pouting | Pulavi | Kurals |
| 132 | புலவி நுணுக்கம் | Feigned Anger | Pulavi Nunukkam | Kurals |
| 133 | ஊடலுவகை | The Pleasures of Temporary Variance | Ootaluvakai | Kurals |
(Courtesy : http://www.gokulnath.com)
It would neither be feasible nor desirable to cover the whole book , but I would like to quote a few verses on different subjects, to give an idea of the clear, concise, and precise way the verses are composed, even while retaining the poetic form.I suppose a gentle warning is in order here .”the English translation can never capture the original meaning and form”
On Education
Explanation
Learning is the true imperishable riches; all other things are not riches
On Purity of Action
Explanation
Though a person may see his mother starve; let him not act in a way which the wise would treat with contempt.
the kural takes a clear unambiguous stand on the eternal debate between ‘means and ends’
On Friendship
Explanation
(True) friendship hastens to the rescue of the afflicted (as readily) as the hand of one whose garment is loosened (before an assembly)
this kural, defines what a friend means
On Children
Explanation
“The pipe is sweet, the lute is sweet,” say those who have not heard the prattle of their own children
the poet in Valluvar is at his best
On Social Gossip about young lovers (Page 3 ?!)
Explanation
This malady (of lust) is manured by the talk of women and watered by the (harsh) words of my mother
What an insight into the effect on young lovers on gossip by the society and admonition by parents.
The reductionists that we are , the first challenge for anyone coming across a book today, is on how to classify it. (A trivia on Shiva Triology by Amish Tripati; the publishing was delayed since the the publishers couldn’t agree on whether the book would be classified under non-fiction, fiction, religion, mythology or anything else.)
Is Thirukkural , a religious book ? Well, many atheists love it. Is it for ‘self Improvement’ ? May be, but there are many verses on ‘vegetarianism’ , ‘non violence’ , ‘refraining from alcohol’ which may not gel with a mind influenced by the western way of thinking. There is advice on virtues,vices, health, wealth , governance , diplomacy and everything under the sun, which cannot be classified under any school of thinking.
One may not agree with every verse nor is there a need to. It has something for everyone. Every individual is inspired by a different verse, at different point of time in his life. There is something in it for every one , any time. Take what appeals to you , leave out what doesn’t , but make sure you revisit the verses at a later stage in life. Whatever be, learning and dwelling on just 10 – 20 of your favourite verses from the 1330 verses can definitely enrich one’s life to a great extent.