Thirukkural

 Thiruvalluvar Statue and the adjacent Vivekananda Rock Memorial at sunrise.


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       I have always been fascinated by Thirukkural for 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.