Thirukkural in English

What is Thirukkural?

 Thirukkural is an ancient classic tamil literature written by the greatest poet Thiruvalluvar over 2000 years ago. It talks about morality and virtues of an individual who can be anyone from poor to richest man, citizens to king of the nation, which is immortal and applicable to all ages. Thirukural is the combination of two words “Thiru + Kural”. “Thiru” suggests that Honorable in Tamil, “Kural” suggests that Short and Precise.

Thirrukural topics and division

Thirukkural has 3 major divisions referred to as Aram (Virtue), Porul (Wealth of Government, Society), Kamam (Love). These 3 divisions consists of 133 topics (Athigaram in Tamil) each topic consists of 10 Kural (Poem) / Couplet, as totally 1330 couplets. Each couplet consists of 2 lines , the first line contains 4 words and second line contains 3 words, so totally 7 words. Kural is the type of poetic meter, which belongs to the poetic meter family Venba. The actual meaning of Thirukural in english is “Hallowed Couplet”
The first division topics include Invocation, Glory of Rain, Glory of Renunciation, The power of righteousness, Family, Life Partner, Children, Possessing Love, Hospitality, Speaking Pleasantly, Gratitude, Neutrality, Having Restraint, Having Morals, Not Desiring Others Wife, Tolerance, Bearing no Envy, Avoid Backbiting, Awareness, Charity, Fame, Penance, Truthfulness, Avoiding Anger and more. This division consists of 380 couplets.
The second division topics include Learning, Not Learning, Listening, Qualities of leader, Wisdom, Preventing of faults, Knowing the strength, The right timing, Friendship, Undesirable friendship, Justice, Country, Medicine, Dignity, Poverty, Greatness, Farming, Poverty, Greatness, Enmity, Hostility, Being courteous, Serving people, Whore, Gambling, Mercy, Not being Lazy, perseverance and more.  This division consists of 700 couplets.
The third and last division topics include Recognition of the Signs, Rejoicing in the Embrace, The Praise of her Beauty, Declaration of Love, Separation unendurable, Complainings, Sad memories, Wasting away, Pouting, Mutual Desire, Reserve overcome, Desire of reunion and more.  This division consists of 250 couplets.

Why Thirukkural is Universal Literature?

Thirukkural is the Universal Veda and Universal Code of Conduct, Because of It has no relation with any caste,religion, language and worship method, which is purely common thoughts, morality and secular ethics applicable to everyone. Thirukural talks about humanity, equality and things to follow to become a good human being. The main importance of thirukkural is that which is completely beyond any Caste and Religion. Thirukkural is the number one literature which has no religion, which has no racism, which has no caste-ism,  which has no gender bios. Another importance of thirukkural is that short and preciseness, 2 lines, 7 words which talks sensible meaning. The greatness of thirukkural is that it tells us Art of living and Art of creating refined civilization.

How Thirukkural Changed Mahatma Gandhi’s Life

Leo Tolstoy and Mahatma Gandhi were two prevailing apostles of non-violence in a century which was torn by two bleeding wars. As it were, Leo Tolstoy was a noteworthy impact in Gandhi’s life. It is said that, Tolstoy’s idea of non-violence was reinforced when he read a German translation of Thirukkural. He even proceeds to cite sections from the ‘Hindu Kural’ in his correspondence with Gandhi. Gandhi read Tamil for the sole expectation of considering Thirukkural in its native structure.