Tirukural
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Thirukural (Tamil: திருக்குறள்) is an important work of Tamil literature by Thiruvalluvar written in a poetic form called Kural or couplets expounding various aspects of life. While most scholars place him during 100-300 BCE, there are a few who consider him to have lived c. 30 BCE. Thirukural contains 1330 couplets divided into 133 chapters of 10 couplets each. Each couplet consists of seven words, with four words on the first line and three on the second. It is sometimes claimed that Thiruvalluvar wrote more than 1330 couplets, and that the rest of the work has gone missing and also that some of the verses were later included in the compilation. However, this is unlikely since several different writers of later years in different areas of India all alluded to the standard 1330 verses, merely choosing to group them in different ways. Moreover, unlike some works in Tamil like Thirumandiram or works of Sarvajna in Kannada, Vemana in Telugu and Kabir in Hindi, not a single couplet outside this compact work of 1330 verses has been attributed to Thiruvalluvar.
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[edit] Etymology
Curiously, the word 'Kural' too has a generic meaning. Roughly translated, it means a pithy couplet (compare sutra). 'Thirukural' is thus a honorific reference to the collection of couplets. Essentially, the 'Kural' is really a vast assortment of interlinking 'kurals.' By most, it is understood that the 1330 couplets conform well to subdivisions of 133 kural adhikarams or 'chapters,' each on specific themes ranging anywhere from righteous living to proper governance of a kingdom.
[edit] Sections
- Arathuppaal (or moral/morality division) contains lessons on man's duties and morals.
- Porutpaal (or material division) contains teachings on the right way of leading one's material life.
- Kaamatthuppaal (or the division of love) teaches love and the right kind of sexual relationships.
These 3 sections correspond to the Hindu/Jain/Buddhist division of life's tasks as Dharma (aram in Tamil), Artha (porul in Tamil) and Kama (Inbam in Tamil)
[edit] Classical status
Though the Tirukural was written nearly two millennia ago, it is easily comprehended by any modern Tamil scholar. This fact underlines the surmise of many scholars that Tamil has undergone very little corruption, over the years and also gives an insight into the long standing heritage of the Tamils. It is mandatory for school children in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu to study Thirukkural right from their inception into the curriculum. This may make Tirukural seem dogmatic but it is seldom thought of so. Thirukkural has taken the place of a gospel among the educated Tamil intelligentsia, but without any intensive religious leanings. Thus, it finds a widespread acceptance as the Gospel of the Tamils, among followers of all religions, creed and castes.
[edit] Thirukural and religion
Thiruvalluvar's work portrays a universal outlook and is non-sectarian. However, there has been a significant discussion about his religious affiliation. Every major tradition existing in ancient Tamilnadu, Jainism, Saivism, Vaishnavism, and Buddhism have tried to advance arguments that Thiruvalluvar is one who belongs to their own religion. According to his first kural he tells he is a saivist adi(siva)bagavan (bagavathi or sakthi) he is also called mailai kizhar (The saivist poets are having the similar names example Sekkizhar(periapuranam), Kovoor kizhar etc). According to P. S. Sundaram, "there are some indications in the Kural of Valluvar having been a Jain, but Parimeelazahar, who seemed to have been a Vaishnavite, didn't seem to have found anything herectical in the verses". In any case, Tamil people consider Thiruvalluvar to be a holy saint; and his work is often called poy-ā—mozhi (false-never—speech or language) and common holy book (pothu maRai பொது மறை). One of the hallmarks of The Kural is that it was composed in a deftly non-sectarian fashion. Thiruvalluvar upheld universal human virtues which are also embraced and cherished by many religions.
[edit] The first couplet
Agara mudala ezhuthellam adhi
bagavan mudatrae ulagu.
'A' leads letters; the Ancient Lord
Leads and lords the entire world. (Translator: Yogi Suddhananda Bharathi)
With alpha begins all alphabets;
And the world with the first God. (Tr: KN Subramaniam & S Iyengar)
adhi(siva) bagavan(bagavathi)
- The first kural (file info) — play in browser (beta)
- Problems listening to the file? See media help.
[edit] Other famous couplets
TheeyiNaal suttaPun Ullaarum arathae
navinal sutta vadu. - couplet 129
The fire-burnt wounds do find a cure
Tongue-burnt wound rests a running sore. (Translator: Yogi Suddhananda Bharathi)
The wound caused by fire will heal within,
But not the scar left by the tongue. (Translator: PS Sundaram)
SeiThakka alla seyaKedum seiThakka
seiAammai yanum kedum. - couplet 466
Doing unfit actions ruins
Failing fit-act also ruins. (Translator: Yogi Suddhananda Bharathi)
It is ruinous to do what should not be done,
And ruinous to leave undone what should be done. (Tr: PS Sundaram)
Naerunal UllanOruvan inDirillai Annum
Paerummai udaithu ivvulagu
The one who existed yesterday is no more today,
That is the glory of earthly life. (Tr: S. Maharajan).
Udukkai izhandhavan kai polae aangae
idukkan kalaivadham natpu - couplet 788
Friendship hastens help in mishaps
Like hands picking up dress that slips. (Translator: Yogi Suddhananda Bharathi)
As swiftly as the hand moves to seize a slipping garment,
Friendship acts to assuage a friend's distress. (Tr: Subramaniaswamy)
EEndrall PasiKanpall Ayeenum Cheyyarkka
Chandror Pallikkum Vinai - couplet 656
Though she who bbegot thee hungers
Shun acts denounced by ancient seers. (Translator: Yogi Suddhananda Bharathi)
Do not do what the wise condemn
Even to save your starving mother. (Tr: PS Sundaram)
Epporul YaarYaarVai Ketpinum Apporul
MeiPorul Kanpdhu Arivu - couplet 423
To Grasp the Truth from everywhere
From everyone is wisdom fair. (Translator: Yogi Suddhananda Bharathi)
The mark of wisdom is to discern the truth
From whatever source it is heard. (Tr: NVK Ashraf)
kaRka kasadaRa kaRpavai kaRRappin
niRka athaRkuth thaga - couplet 391
Lore worth learning, learn flawlessly
Live by that learning thoroughly. (Translator: Yogi Suddhananda Bharathi)
[kaRka - Learn - read, listen, do and know.
kasadaRa (kasadu + aRa) - So that we are cleansed of our defilements - of desire, anger, fear, ego (assumed identities)..., in short any habit of mind that imprisons us in the cause-effect loop.
kaRpavai - Those which are 'knowable' or worthy of knowing, understood as anything that throws light on truth, thereby clearing all delusions.
kaRRappin niRka athaRkuth thaga - Knowledge (knowing) must reflect in words and deeds. Mere erudition is not learning. Knowing must result in a transformation of self.]
(Next only to the first couplet, this couplet 391 is most famous one. In simpler terms, it means Learn what ought to be learnt, without mistakes. On learning, be or do as you have learnt.
Kaalathi nalSeitha Nandri Siritheninum
Ghyalanthin Manap Perithu - couplet 102
A help rendered in hour of need
Though small is greater than the world. (Translator: Yogi Suddhananda Bharathi)
A timely help, though small,
Is of greater value than all the earth. (Tr: SM Diaz)
Kaamak kanichi udaikkum niraiyendrum
Naanuthaazh veezhtha kadavu - couplet 1251
Passion's axe shall break the door
Of reserve bolted with my honor(honour). (Translator: Yogi Suddhananda Bharathi)
The axe of love can break open the door of chastity
Secured by the bolt of modesty. (Tr: Drew, Lazarus, J. Narayanaswamy)
[edit] References
- Subramaniyam, Ka Naa, Tiruvalluvar and his Tirukkural. Bharatiya Jnanpith: New Delhi 1987.
- P. S. Sundaram, The Kural. Penguin Books: London, 1990.
- Blackburn, Stuart. (2000). Corruption and Redemption: The Legend of Valluvar and Tamil Literary History. Modern Asian Studies, vol. 34, no. 2, pp. 449-82, May 2000.
- Yogi Suddhananda Bharathi(1897), 'Thirukkural with English Couplets' - Tamil Chandror Peravai: Chennai.(15 May 1995)
[edit] External links
- E-Mail Thirukural with Tamil and English meaning - E-Mail திருக்குறள், கதைகள், கவிதைகள் மற்றும் பல to your friends and family.
- Thirukural
- Introduction to Kural and its author: திருக்குறளும் திருவள்ளுவரும்
- Thirukural of Thiruvalluvar- திருவள்ளுவரின் திருக்குறள் - Online in Tamil & in English
- Thirukural :: DR.KALAIGNAR URAI - Thirukural with contemporary explanatory notes by M. Karunanidhi. Available online in Tamil.
- Thirukkural in different languages of the world: Thirukkural is now available in many languages online at this site. Translations in English, French (Français), Russian (Русский), Hindi (हिन्दी), Malayalam (മലയാളം), Kannada (ಕನ್ನಡ) and Arabic (العربيه) are already on. Other languages to follow include Latin (Latina), Polish (Polski), Bangla (বাংলা), Urdu (اردو), Gujarati (ગુજરાતી) and Telugu (తెలుగు).
- Thirukural on Internet and Translations - Links to Internet resources on Thirukural
- Thirukkural with Meaning in Tamil and English
[edit] Online English translations
- Thirukural: Close to the original - An translation that brings out 25 different translations.
- Thirukkural - translations by Rev.Dr.G.U. Pope, Rev W H Drew, Rev John Lazarus, and Mr F W Ellis.
- Weaver's Wisdom: Ancient Precepts for a Perfect Life - Translation by the Himalayan Academy, under direction of Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami
- IIT Madras site
- The Holy Kural - Tirukural translation oversighted by Gurudeva, Sivaya Subramuniyaswami, student of the Sri Lankan sage Yogaswami and the founder of the Himalayan Academy.
- Thirukkural a Jaina workThirukkural A Jaina Work by Prof. A. Chakravarthy Nainar followed by English translation of essay Who is Adhi Bagawan? by Prof. M. V. Venugoapala Pillai.
[edit] Book edition
- Thirukkural with English Couplets by Tamil Chandror Peravai (Translated by Yogi Suddhananda Bharathi[1897]), Tamil Chandror Peravai, 26 Sardar Patel Road, Adyar, Chennai - 600 020
- Thirukkural (Original in Tamil with English Translation) by W. H. Drew (Translator), John Lazarus (Translator), W. H. Drew - ISBN 81-206-0400-8
- "Thirukkural Samayam (Religion of Thirukkural)" in Tamil By Prof. J. Srichandran, Vardhamanan Padippagam, Chennai Ph.+914424364174
