Tirukkural

Tirukkural

Author	Valluvar
Original title	திருக்குறள்
Country	India
Language	Tamil
Subject	Ethics, Morality, Philosophy
Genre	Couplet, Poetry

The Tirukkural, also known as the Kural, is a classic Tamil text consisting of 1,330 couplets or Kurals. It was authored by Valluvar, a celebrated Tamil poet and philosopher. The text is divided into three main sections: Aram (virtue), Porul (wealth), and Inbam (love), each covering different aspects of life, ethics, and morality.

Structure

The Tirukkural is structured into 133 chapters, each containing 10 couplets, for a total of 1,330 couplets. The chapters are grouped into three sections:

• Aram (Righteousness) - Deals with moral values and ethics
• Porul (Wealth) - Discusses politics and statecraft
• Inbam (Love) - Explores aspects of love and relationships

Themes

The themes of the Tirukkural include:

• Ethics and morality
• Love
• Social issues
• Political science
• Economics

Influence

The Tirukkural has had a profound influence on the Tamil culture and has been widely appreciated by scholars across different fields for its universal values. It has been translated into numerous languages and continues to be revered as a literary and moral classic.

Translations and Commentaries

The Tirukkural has been translated into many world languages and has numerous commentaries written on it. These translations have helped spread its teachings globally, making it an important work in world literature.

Legacy

The legacy of the Tirukkural is evident in its continued relevance and the respect it commands among various cultures. It is often quoted in discussions related to moral philosophy and ethics.

See also

• Valluvar
• Tamil literature
• Indian literature