Thirukkural, which means ‘Sacred Couplet’, is a Tamil classic written by Saint Thiruvalluvar. The author is said to have lived sometime between the 1st century B.C. C. and the 8th century AD. C. It is the only literature translated into many of the world’s languages. The verses contain a treasure trove of principles and information that can be applied to any occasion, field, and age, regardless of religion and race.
Thirukkural has three main sections such as Righteousness, Resources or Wealth and Love and Happiness. Under the three categories above, 1,330 couplets have been arranged in series into 133 chapters of ten each. The chapter names are self-explanatory to understand what the author wanted to preach and guide.
According to the tradition of the land, the book begins with ‘Praise to God’ as the first chapter. The author emphasizes the fact that man cannot be proud of himself, but appreciates the all-knowing and omnipresent Almighty. Without God, it is impossible to lead a happy life. In the chapter ‘The importance of rain’, the value of rain and water is highlighted. Without water, life on earth becomes impossible and chaotic. The meaning of righteousness is fully explained in the chapter ‘Value of Integrity’.
What are the essential ingredients of a happy life? How to lead us towards it? The chapters under ‘Domestic life and its virtues’ provide the detailed answers. Having children, possessing love, hospitality, pleasant talks, gratitude, fairness, humility, realizing the truth, etc. They are some of the topics discussed very well. The virtues or attitudes that make a true and happy life are treated under the themes of Patience, Envy, Bad works, Kindness, Non-violence, Penance, Honesty, Truthfulness, Anger, Renouncement, Destiny, etc.
The ways and means of wealth are explained through the chapters of Capable King, Education, Positive Attitude, Laziness, Consciousness of Time, Judgment, Power of Action, Administration, Need for Army and Fortification, Friendship, Hate, Enemy, Gambling , Perfection, Courtesy. , Hostility, Medicine, Remembrance, etc. The value of time cannot be more beautifully expressed than in the following couplet.
Whoever thinks that the hanging world itself must subdue, with a calm mind for the right time, must wait.
The author defined love and sex, described the signs of love, outlined the methods of seduction, confinement and meeting by writing 250 verses in the third part of his work called ‘Love and Joy’. Pre-marital and post-marital love is described in an absorbing and graceful style: reading these verses, one is certain to experience sensual feelings instantly.
It is astonishing to find that Thiruvalluvar had such vision and ingenuity to present life’s invaluable and enduring advice and principles in crisp and elegant two-line verses. A translated version cannot match the original work. One must learn the language in which the literature is written, to admire and understand the classic like Thirukkural.
