TIRUKKURAL
Tirukkural constitutes one of the most important literary works in Tamil (Dravidian language of southern India). It is generally reckoned that Kural was composed during the Sangam Period of literary development in Tamil (500-200 BC). Tiruvalluvar and is considered to be the first work to focus on ethics, among the Buddhist - Jain literature of India Thirukkural expounds various aspects of life and is one of the most important works in Tamil. This is reflected in some of the other names by which the text is known: tamilmarai (Tamil Veda); poyyamoli (speech that does not lie); and teyva nul (divine text).
The word "kural" applies in general to something that is short or abridged. More specifically it describes a poetic couplet in which the two lines have fourteen syllables. In the Kural the couplets are arranged in groups of 10 in 133 chapters. Each chapter deals with a particular subject and gives Tiruvalluvar’s views on different aspects of it. By this means he is able to put forward a wide ranging humanitarian guide to life at home and in the local community.
About Tiruvalluvar
Tiruvalluvar is also known by several other names e.g., Nayanar, Theivappulavar, Perunavalar. The work itself is often called Tamil Marai, a reference to its identification with the Vedas.
Historical Information
It is believed that Valluvar composed the work on request from his close friend and student by name Elela Singan. Upon completion, Valluvar took the work to Madurai, as per the prevailing practice of reading out new compositions in a public forum where critics and scholars would be present.
The conceited scholars at Madurai, insisted on measuring the greatness of the work through a test where the manuscript would be placed with other works on a plank kept afloat in the tank of the great temple and it was to be seen if the plank remained afloat. The significance of this is that the greatness of a work is realized on the basis of not the weight of its manuscript (written on Palm leaves) but the devine qualities of the work which foced the plank to stay afloat.
It is said that to the amazement of the critics, the Sangam Plank shrunk itself in size to hold only the Kural manuscript and in the process throwing out the rest.
There is also a belief that Valluvar and the great poetess Auvaiyar were siblings and it was Auvaiyar who went one step ahead of what had been said about Kural earlier. Idaikkadar had praised Kural with a reference that the greatness of Kural is such that Valluvar had packed inside a mustard seed, the essence of all knowledge from the broad world spanned by seven seas. Auvaiyar had substituted the term kadugu (mustard) by Anu (meaning an atom). It is interesting to note that the concept of Atom had already been established in the Tamil country two thousand years ago¡
Kural - statistics
Tirukkural is a work of 1330 couplets each of which conforms to the structure of "Kural Venba", a grammatical construction with two lines of four and three words respectively. The work is arranged in 133 Adhikarams, each with 10 couplets. The 133 Adhikarams are divided into three major groups known as "Aram", "Porul" and "Inbam". Aram represents Virtue, Porul defines the principles of Life for common people as well as the State. The last section deals with aspects of Love. The overall organization of Tirukkural is as follows, based on seven ideals prescribed for people followed by observations on Love.
- 40 couplets on God, Rain, Virtue and Ascetics
- 200 couplets on Domestic Virtue
- 140 couplets on Higher Virtue based on Grace
- 250 couplets on Royalty
- 100 couplets on Ministers of State
- 220 couplets on the Essential requirements of Administration
- 130 couples on Morality, both positive and negative
- 250 couplets on Human Love and Passion
In praise of Kural
"Tiruvalluva Malai" or the "Garland of Valluvar" is another Tamil text composed by several ancient Tamil poets to praise the author (Tiruvaluvar). It has fiftythree verses from fifty-three different poets spanning several centuries. This is a goldmine of information about Tirukkural.
Acharya Logo
The statue of Saint Tiruvalluvar greets visitors at Kanyakumari, the southernmost tip of India where the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal, and the Indian Ocean confluence. The 133 feet tall statue stands next to Vivekananda Memorial, a temple for meditation. The height of 133 feet signifies the 133 "Adhikarams". The pedastal measures 38 feet in height, representing the 38 "Adhikarams" of the first part of Kural "Aram".
Translation
Thirukkural has been widely translated and is among the oldest literary works of the world. Few of them are English (George Uglow Pope), Sanskrit (Srirama Desikan), Latin (Constanzo Beschi), French, Russian, German, Dutch, Czech, Chinese, Finnish, Polish, Swedish.
Download
 | Tirukkural in Tamil - Theivappulavar Tiruvalluvar. | [Download (203KB)] |
 | Tirukkural - English Translation by Rev Dr G U Pope. | [Download (1.26MB)] |
 | Tirukkural - English Translation by Shuddhananda Yogi Samaj. | [Download (612KB)] |
