Thiruvalluvar, commonly known as Valluvar, was an Indian poet and philosopher who lived about 2000 years ago.
Despite the passage of time, Thiruvalluvar’s influence persists in the Tamil country, making it seem as though he is not dead but rather a contemporaneous presence.
He is best known as the author of the Thirukkural, a collection of couplets covering a wide range of subjects including ethics, politics, economics, and love.
Thiruvalluvar’s writings serve as a guide, urging people to align their conduct with the high ideals he espoused in his work.
The Thirukkuralis regarded as an exceptional and widely cherished work of Tamil literature, demonstrating the enduring relevance of Thiruvalluvar’s teachings.
His teachings continue to inspire individuals, encouraging them to strive for greater conformity with the ethical principles he outlined.
Life of Thiruvalluvar
The speculations about Valluvar’s life are largely inferred from his work Thirukkural and other Tamil literature that quote him.
According to Zvelebil, Valluvar was “probably a learned Jain with eclectic leanings and intimate acquaintance with the early works of Tamil classical period and some knowledge of the Sanskrit legal and didactic texts (subhashita)”.
He is known by various other names including Poyyil Pulavar, Mudharpavalar, Deivappulavar, Nayanar, Devar, Nanmukanar, Mathanubangi, Sennabbodhakar, and Perunavalar.
Thirukkural
The term “Thirukkural” is a compound word consisting of “tiru,” an honorific Tamil term meaning “holy, sacred, excellent, honorable, and beautiful,” and “kural” which means “short, concise, and abridged.“
The Thirukkural, also known shortly as the Kural, is a classic Tamil text comprising 1,330 short couplets, or kurals, each consisting of seven words.
Divided into three books, the text focuses on aphoristic teachings regarding virtue (aram), wealth (porul), and love (inbam), respectively.
Widely acknowledged for its universality and secular nature, the Thirukkural is considered a seminal work of Tamil literature.
Its origins have been dated variably from 300 BCE to the 5th century CE, with traditional accounts attributing it to the last work of the third Sangam.
The Kural is esteemed with epithets like “the Tamil Veda” and “the Divine Book” for its significance.
Rooted in the principles of ahimsa (non-violence), the text promotes moral vegetarianism and other virtues such as truthfulness, self-restraint, gratitude, hospitality, kindness, and duty.
It addresses a wide array of social and political topics including governance, justice, warfare, agriculture, education, and abstention from alcohol.
The Kural also delves into aspects of personal life, covering friendship, love, sexual unions, and domesticity.
Through its teachings, the Thirukkural challenged and reshaped cultural values prevalent during the Sangam era, establishing enduring moral principles in Tamil society.
The Kural is structured into 133 chapters, each containing 10 couplets (or kurals), for a total of 1,330 couplets.
Book I – Aram : Book of Virtue (Dharma), dealing with moral values of an individual and essentials of yoga philosophy (Chapters 1–38)
Book II – Porul : Book of Polity (Artha), dealing with socio-economic values, polity, society and administration (Chapters 39–108)
Book III – Inbam : Book of Love (Kama), dealing with psychological values and love (Chapters 109–133)
The Kural text is marked by pragmatic idealism, focused on “man in the totality of his relationships“. Despite being a classic, the work has little scope for any poetic excellence.
The Kural is based on the doctrine of ahimsa.
The Kural text does not recommend democracy; rather it accepts a royalty with ministers bound to a code of ethics and a system of justice.
Commentaries on Thirukkural
Dedicated commentaries on the Kural text emerged around and after the 10th century CE.
Among the notable commentators are Parimelalhagar,Kaalingar, and Manakkudavar.
The most renowned and influential historic commentary on the Kural text is the Parimelalhakiyar virutti.
This commentary was authored by Parimelalhagar, who was a Vaishnava Brahmin.
Sangam Literature
The word ‘Sangam’ originates from the Sanskrit term Sangha, denoting a group or association.
The Tamil Sangam was an academy of poets that thrived during three distinct periods and in various locations under the patronage of the Pandyan kings.
It was compiled between the 3rd century BC and the 3rd century CE, featuring poetic compositions on themes of love and war.
According to Tamil legends, three Sangams were held in ancient South India, collectively known as Muchchangam.
The First Sangam, reportedly held in Madurai, was attended by gods and legendary sages, although no literary works from this period are extant.
The Second Sangam convened at Kapadapuram, with only Tolkappiyam surviving as a literary relic.
The Third Sangam, also held in Madurai, produced several surviving Tamil literary works that offer insights into the era’s societal conditions.
Sangam literature, primarily consolidated during the third Sangam, provides valuable information about the lives of people around the dawn of the Christian era.
It covers various secular topics such as governance, warfare, charity, trade, worship, and agriculture, reflecting the public and social activities of the time.
