Kural Chronicles

The Thirukkural is one of the greatest works of Tamil literature, infact of world literature. It is probably THE most translated book in the world, after the bible –  translated into 42 languages, and 57 different versions in English alone.

This staggering work is a compilation of 1330 couplets of 7 words each, ten to a head or  adhikaram. Each of the 133 adhikarams talk about a particular aspect or topic. The whole work is grouped under three broad categories or paal – Arathupaal, Porutpaal, Inbathupaal:

• Aram:    dharma and the spiritual world
• Porul:    living life in material world
• Inbam:  inner joy and building the inner world.

Written by the revered poet Thiruvalluvar more than 2000 years ago, the Thirukkural is aptly called the Ulaga Pothu Marai: a standard guide to life and living: no matter the language you speak, or the time zone you inhabit. It’s also called Poyyamozhi: words that stand the test of time, words that will always hold true.   

On a personal note, I have always always been amazed at

• the sheer range of subjects and ideas written about: practically everything under the sun- from personal ethics and well being, to advice on governance to kings and ministers. Even espionage gets its own chapter. As such, it has always been first point of reference for any essay or article that needed to be written in school or college or even today.
• The skill it takes to impart a wealth of meaning in 7 words.
• The Vision of the poet. The world changes ever more rapidly, but his words still hold true.
•  The Thirukkural is not specific to any one culture, language or religion.

As the children of today’s world struggle to find meaning, this is the kind of wealth they need; that should, should, be passed on to coming generations. Tamil, its beauty and brevity and wisdom should not be lost to the world. To that end, read on.