Kural

Tirukkuṟaḷ
The Kural in Tamil, its original language
AuthorValluvar
Original titleதிருக்குறள்
Working titleKural
CountryIndia
LanguageOld Tamil
SeriesEighteen Lesser Texts
Subject
GenrePoetry
Set inProbably after the Sangam era (c. 500 CE or earlier)
Publication date
1812 (first known printed edition, older palm-leaf manuscripts exist)
Published in English
1794
Original text
திருக்குறள் at Tamil Wikisource
TranslationTirukkuṟaḷ at Wikisource

The Tirukkuṟaḷ or shortly the Kural is a classic Tamil language text. It has 1,330 short couplets (two-line poem parts), or kurals, of seven words each.

The text is divided into three books with aphorisms (sayings) on virtue, wealth and love. It is thought as one of the greatest works ever written on ethics and morality. It is also known for its all-inclusiveness and secular nature.

History

People say Thiruvalluvar wrote the work. The text has been dated between 300 BCE and the 5th century CE.

The Kural text is among the earliest systems of Indian epistemology (way of thinking of knowledge) and metaphysics (way of thinking of reality and being). The Kural is traditionally praised with epithets such as "the Tamil Veda" and "the Divine Book".

Contents

Written on the ideas of ahimsa (non-violence), it draws attention to non-violence and moral vegetarianism as good things for a person to do.[a] It highlights truthfulness, controlling your emotions and reactions, thankfulness, hospitality, kindness, goodness of one's wife, duty, giving, and so forth. It covers many social and political topics such as kings, ministers, taxes, justice, forts, war, greatness of armies and soldier's honor, death sentence for the wicked, agriculture, education, not drinking alcohol and things that make people drunk or high. It has chapters on friendship, love, sexual unions, and home life. The text permanently redefined the cultural values of the Tamil land.

Reputation

The Kural has been liked and respected by experts from ethical, social, political, economic, religious, philosophical, and spiritual fields. These include Ilango Adigal, Kambar, Leo Tolstoy, Mahatma Gandhi, Albert Schweitzer, Ramalinga Swamigal, V. O. Chidambaram Pillai, Karl Graul, George Uglow Pope, Alexander Piatigorsky, and Yu Hsi. The work remains the most translated, the most referred-to, and the most cited of Tamil literary works.

The text has been translated into at least 40 languages. This made it one of the most translated ancient works. Ever since it was printed for the first time in 1812, the Kural text has never been out of print. Its author is praised for selecting the best virtues found in the known books and showing them in an manner that most people understand. The Tamil people and the government of Tamil Nadu have long revered and celebrated the text.

Citations

  1. 1 2 Sundaram 1990, pp. 7–16.
  2. ↑ Zvelebil 1973, pp. 156–168.
  3. ↑ Kovaimani and Nagarajan, 2013, p. 115.
  4. ↑ Pillai, 1994.
  5. ↑ Blackburn 2000, pp. 449–482.
  6. ↑ Zvelebil 1973, pp. 157–158.
  7. ↑ Lal 1992, pp. 4333–4334, 4341.
  8. ↑ Holmström, Krishnaswamy, and Srilata, 2009, p. 5.
  9. ↑ Zvelebil 1975, p. 124.
  10. ↑ Zvelebil 1973, p. 156.
  11. ↑ Cutler, 1992.
  12. ↑ Chakravarthy Nainar, 1953.
  13. ↑ Krishna, 2017.
  14. ↑ Thani Nayagam, 1971, p. 252.
  15. ↑ Sanjeevi, 2006, p. 84.
  16. ↑ Krishnamoorthy, 2004, pp. 206–208.
  17. ↑ Dharani 2018, p. 101.
  18. ↑ Das 1997, pp. 11–12.
  19. 1 2 Zvelebil 1973, pp. 156–171.
  20. ↑ Sundaram 1990, p. 13.
  21. ↑ Manavalan, 2009, pp. 127–129.
  22. 1 2 Zvelebil 1973, pp. 160–163.
  23. ↑ Hikosaka & Samuel 1990, p. 200.
  24. ↑ Ananthanathan, 1994, pp. 151–154.
  25. ↑ Kaushik Roy 2012, pp. 151–154.
  26. ↑ Lal 1992, pp. 4333–4334.
  27. ↑ Thamizhannal, 2004, p. 146.
  28. ↑ Sundaramurthi, 2000, p. 624.
  29. ↑ Maharajan, 2017, p. 19.
  30. ↑ Kovaimani and Nagarajan, 2013, p. 29.
  31. ↑ Chellammal, 2015, p. 119.

References

Classical primary sources

  • Alathur Kilar. Kḻuvāi Illai!, புறநானூறு [Puranānuru] (Verse 34), See original text in Tamil Virtual University.
  • Avvaiyar. Wikisource link to ta:திருவள்ளுவமாலை. Tirutthanigai Saravanaperumal Aiyar (commentator). Wikisource. 
  • Ilango Adigal, சிலப்பதிகாரம் [Silappathigāram], See original text in Tamil Virtual University.
  • Kambar, கம்பராமாயணம் [Kambarāmāyanam], See original text in Tamil Virtual University.
  • Manakkudavar (1917). திருவள்ளுவர் திருக்குறள் மணக்குடவருரை—அறத்துப்பால் [Tiruvalluvar Tirukkural Manakkudavar Commentary—Book of Aram]. V. O. C. Pillai (Ed.) (1 ed.). Chennai: V. O. Chidambaram Pillai. 152 pp.
  • Manakkudavar (2003). திருக்குறள் மணக்குடவர் உரை [Tirukkural Manakkudavar Commentary]. C. Meiyyappan (Ed.). Chennai: Manivasagar Padhippagam. 370 pp.
  • Parimelalhagar (2009). திருக்குறள் மூலமும் பரிமேலழகர் உரையும் [Tirukkural Original Text and Parimelalhagar Commentary]. Compiled by V. M. Gopalakrishnamachariyar. Chennai: Uma Padhippagam. 1456 pp.
  • Seethalai Sāthanār, மணிமேகலை [Manimekalai], See original text in Tamil Virtual University.
  • Sekkiḻar, பெரிய‌ புராண‌ம் [Periya Puranam], See original text in Tamil Virtual University.
  • Valluvar. Wikisource link to ta:திருக்குறள். Wikisource.  See original text in Project Madurai.

Modern secondary sources

Books

  • Flood, Gavin (2004). The Ascetic Self: Subjectivity, Memory and Tradition. Cambridge University Press. pp. 85–89 with notes. ISBN 978-0521604017.
  • Franklin Edgerton (1952). The Bhagavad Gita, Part 2. Harvard University Press. pp. 91–92.
  • Jonardon Ganeri (2007). The Concealed Art of the Soul: Theories of Self and Practices of Truth in Indian Ethics and Epistemology. Oxford University Press. pp. 68–70. ISBN 978-0199202416.
  • Adinarayanan, V.; Rekha, V. Smrithi; Sooryanarayan, D. G. (2016). "A Multidimensional View of Leadership from an Indian Perspective". Ethical Leadership. Palgrave Macmillan UK. doi:10.1057/978-1-137-60194-0_5. ISBN 978-1137601933.
  • Anonymous (1999). Confucius: A Biography (Trans. Lun Yu, in English). Confucius Publishing Co. Ltd.
  • V. V. S. Aiyar (1916). The Kural or The Maxims of Tiruvalluvar (1 ed.). Chennai: Amudha Nilayam.
  • S. N. Kandasamy (2017). திருக்குறள்: ஆய்வுத் தெளிவுரை (அறத்துப்பால்) [Tirukkural: Research commentary: Book of Aram]. Chennai: Manivasagar Padhippagam.
  • Kandasamy, S. N. (2020). திருக்குறள்: ஆய்வுத் தெளிவுரை (பெருட்பால், பகுதி 1) [Tirukkural: Research commentary: Book of Porul, Part 1]. Chennai: Manivasagar Padhippagam.
  • Aravindan, M. V. (2018). உரையாசிரியர்கள் [Commentators]. Chennai: Manivasagar Padhippagam.
  • R. Mohan and Nellai N. Sokkalingam (2011). உரை மரபுகள் [Conventions of Commentaries]. Chidambaram: Meiyappan Padhippagam.
  • A. Arumugam (2014). வள்ளுவம் [Valluvam]. Philosophy Textbooks Series. Chennai: Periyar E.V.Ramasamy-Nagammai Education and Research Trust.
  • K. V. Balasubramanian (2016). திருக்குறள் பேரொளி [Tirukkural Beacon] (1 ed.). Chennai: New Century Book House. ISBN 978-8123430614.
  • Roma Chatterjee, ed. (2021). India: Society, Religion and Literature in Ancient and Medieval Periods (1st ed.). New Delhi: Government of India, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. ISBN 978-9354091223.
  • A. Gopalakrishnan (2012). Tirukkural: Tiruvalluvar Karutthurai. Chidambaram: Meiyappan Padhippagam.
  • Chakravarthy, A. (1953). Tirukkural. Madras: The Diocesan Press. Archived from the original on 2022-08-10. Retrieved 2022-12-27.
  • Blackburn, Stuart (2006). Print, folklore, and nationalism in colonial South India. Orient Blackswan. ISBN 978-8178241494.
  • C. Dhandapani Desikar (1975). வள்ளுவரும் கம்பரும் [Valluvar and Kambar]. Annamalai Nagar: Annamalai University Press.
  • W. J. Johnson (2009). A dictionary of Hinduism. Oxford Reference. Oxford: Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0198610250. Retrieved 12 March 2021.
  • Takahashi, Takanobu (1999), "The Treatment of King and State in the Tirukkural", Kingship in Indian History, New Delhi: Manohar, pp. 53–54
  • Lakshmi Holmström; Subashree Krishnaswamy; K. Srilata (2009). The Rapids of a Great River: The Penguin Book of Tamil Poetry. Penguin/Viking. ISBN 9788184758191.
  • William Henry Drew (1840). The Cural of Tiruvalluvar (1 ed.). Madurai: American Mission Press.
  • Polilan; K. Gunathogai; Lena Kumar; Tagadur Sampath; Mutthamizh; G. Picchai Vallinayagam; D. Anbunidhi; K. V. Neduncheraladhan, eds. (2019). Tiruvalluvar 2050 (in Tamil) (1 ed.). Chennai: Periyar Enthusiasts Group.
  • T. N. Hajela (2008). History of Economic Thought (First edition 1967). Ane's Student Edition (17th ed.). New Delhi: Ane Books. ISBN 978-8180522208.
  • C. Dhandapani Desikar (1969). திருக்குறள் அழகும் அமைப்பும் [Tirukkural: Beauty and Structure] (in Tamil). Chennai: Tamil Valarcchi Iyakkam.
  • Hikosaka, Shu; Samuel, G. John (1990). Encyclopaedia of Tamil Literature. Institute of Asian Studies. OCLC 58586438.
  • R. Ilankumaran (2018). திருக்குறள் வாழ்வியல் விளக்கவுரை [Tirukkural life-skill exegesis]. Vol. 1. Ariyalur, India: Paavendhar Padhippagam. ISBN 978-8193825013.
  • K. S. Anandan (2018). திருக்குறளின் உண்மைப் பொருள் [The true meaning of the Tirukkural] (2 ed.). Coimbatore: Thangam Padhippagam.
  • Swamiji Iraianban (1997). Ambrosia of Thirukkural. Abhinav Publications. ISBN 978-8170173465.
  • Ki. Vaa. Jagannathan (2014). திருக்குறள், ஆராய்ச்சிப் பதிப்பு [Tirukkural, Research Edition] (3rd ed.). Coimbatore: Ramakrishna Mission Vidhyalayam.
  • Ricard, Matthieu (2016). A Plea for the Animals: The Moral, Philosophical, and Evolutionary Imperative to Treat All Beings with Compassion. Shambhala. p. 27. ISBN 978-1611803051.
  • M. G. Kovaimani and P. V. Nagarajan (2013). திருக்குறள் ஆய்வுமாலை [Tirukkural Research Papers] (in Tamil) (1 ed.). Tanjavur: Tamil University. ISBN 978-8170904359.
  • Kowmareeshwari, ed. (2012). பதினெண்கீழ்கணக்கு நூல்கள் [Eighteen Lesser Texts]. Sanga Ilakkiyam (in Tamil). Vol. 5 (1st ed.). Chennai: Saradha Pathippagam.
  • Kowmareeshwari, ed. (2012). அகநானூறு, புறநானூறு [Agananuru, Purananuru]. Sanga Ilakkiyam (in Tamil). Vol. 3 (1st ed.). Chennai: Saradha Pathippagam.
  • Thamizhannal (2004). உலகத் தமிழிலக்கிய வரலாறு (தொன்மை முதல் கி.பி.500 வரை) [History of World Tamil Literature: Antiquity to 500 CE] (in Tamil) (1st ed.). Chennai: International Institute of Tamil Studies.
  • Ravindra Kumar (1999). Morality and Ethics in Public Life. New Delhi: Mittal Publications. ISBN 978-8170997153. Retrieved 13 December 2010.
  • Kumaravelan, R., ed. (2008). திருக்குறள் வ.உ.சிதம்பரனார் உரை [Tirukkural: V. O. Chidhambaram Commentary] (in Tamil) (1st ed.). Chennai: Pari Nilayam.
  • Lal, Mohan (1992). Encyclopaedia of Indian Literature: Sasay to Zorgot. Sahitya Akademi. ISBN 978-8126012213.
  • M. S. Purnalingam Pillai (2015). Tamil Literature. Chennai: International Institute of Tamil Studies.
  • Kathir Mahadevan (1985). Oppilakkiya Nokkil Sanga Kaalam [Sangam Period from a Comparative Study Perspective] (Third ed.). Chennai: Macmillan India Limited.
  • S. Krishnamoorthy (2004). இக்கால உலகிற்குத் திருக்குறள் [Tirukkural for Contemporary World] (Volume 3) (in Tamil) (First ed.). Chennai: International Institute of Tamil Studies.
  • S. Maharajan (2017). Tiruvalluvar. Makers of Indian Literature (2nd ed.). New Delhi: Sahitya Akademi. ISBN 978-8126053216.
  • A. A. Manavalan (2009). Essays and Tributes on Tirukkural (1886–1986 AD) (1 ed.). Chennai: International Institute of Tamil Studies.
  • Sujit Mukherjee (1999). A dictionary of Indian literature. Orient Blackswan. ISBN 978-8125014539. Retrieved 13 December 2010.
  • P. R. Natarajan (2008). Thirukkural: Aratthuppaal (in Tamil) (1st ed.). Chennai: Uma Padhippagam.
  • 'Navalar' R. Nedunchezhiyan (1991). திருக்குறள் நாவலர் தெளிவுரை (Tirukkural Navalar Commentary) (1 ed.). Chennai: Navalar Nedunchezhiyan Kalvi Arakkattalai.
  • Iraikuruvanar (2009). திருக்குறளின் தனிச்சிறப்புகள் [Unique features of the Tirukkural] (in Tamil) (1 ed.). Chennai: Iraiyagam.
  • R Parthasarathy (1993). The Tale of an Anklet: An Epic of South India. Columbia University Press. ISBN 978-0231078498.
  • G. Devaneya Pavanar (2017). திருக்குறள் [Tirukkural: Tamil Traditional Commentary] (in Tamil) (4 ed.). Chennai: Sri Indhu Publications.
  • Pavalareru Perunchithiranar (1933). பெருஞ்சித்திரனார் திருக்குறள் மெய்ப்பொருளுரை: உரைச் சுருக்கம் [Perunchithiranar's Thirukkural A Philosophical Brief Commentary] (Volume 1) (1 ed.). Chennai: Then Mozhi Padippagam.
  • M. S. Pillai (1994). Tamil literature. New Delhi: Asian Education Service. ISBN 8120609557.
  • G. U. Pope (1886). The Sacred Kurral of Tiruvalluva Nayanar (First ed.). New Delhi: Asian Educational Services. ISBN 8120600223. {{cite book}}: ISBN / Date incompatibility (help)
  • Herbert Arthur Popley (1931). The Sacred Kural. Calcutta and London.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  • Alexander Pyatigorsky (n.d.). quoted in K. Muragesa Mudaliar's "Polity in Tirukkural". Thirumathi Sornammal Endowment Lectures on Tirukkural.
  • M. Rajaram (2009). Thirukkural: Pearls of Inspiration (1st ed.). New Delhi: Rupa Publications.
  • M. Rajaram (2015). Glory of Thirukkural. 915 (1st ed.). Chennai: International Institute of Tamil Studies. ISBN 978-9385165955.
  • C. Rajendiran (2018). பாமரருக்கும் பரிமேலழகர் [Parimelazhagar for Laymen] (1st ed.). Chennai: Sandhya Publications. ISBN 978-9387499454.
  • Das, G. N. (1997). Readings from Thirukkural. Abhinav Publications. ISBN 8170173426.
  • Aranga Ramalingam (1994). Thirukkuralil Siddhar Neri. Chennai: Bharati Puthakalayam.
  • Ramasamy, V. (2001). On Translating Tirukkural (1st ed.). Chennai: International Institute of Tamil Studies.
  • Robinson, Edward Jewitt (2001) [1873]. Tamil Wisdom; Traditions Concerning Hindu Sages, and Selections from their writings. London: Wesleyan Conference Office.
  • Iraikkuruvanar (2009). திருக்குறளின் தனிச்சிறப்புக்கள் [Tirukkural Specialities]. Chennai: Iraiyagam.
  • N. Sanjeevi (2006). First All India Tirukkural Seminar Papers (2nd ed.). Chennai: University of Madras.
  • Thani Nayagam, Xavier S. (1971). Thirumathi Sornammal Endowment Lectures on Tirukkural 1959–60 to 1968–69, Part 1. Vol. 1. Chennai: University of Madras.
  • Krishna, Nanditha (2017). Hinduism and Nature. New Delhi: Penguin Random House. p. 264. ISBN 978-9387326545.
  • R. P. Sethupillai (1956). திருவள்ளுவர் நூல்நயம் [Thiruvalluvar Noolnayam] (in Tamil) (10th ed.). Chennai: Kazhaga Veliyeedu.
  • M. Shanmukham Pillai (1972). திருக்குறள் அமைப்பும் முறையும் [The structure and method of Tirukkural] (1 ed.). Chennai: University of Madras.
  • Radha R. Sharma (2018). "A value-centric approach to eudaimonia (human flourishing) and sustainability.". In Kerul Kassel; Isabel Rimanoczy (eds.). Developing a Sustainability Mindset in Management Education (1 ed.). New York: Routledge. pp. 113–132. ISBN 978-1783537273.
  • M. P. Sivagnanam (1974). திருக்குறளிலே கலைபற்றிக் கூறாததேன்? [Why does the Tirukkural not speak about art?]. Chennai: Poonkodi Padhippagam.
  • Sundaram, P.S. (1987). Kural (Tiruvalluvar). Penguin Books. ISBN 978-9351180159.
  • Sundaram, P.S. (1990). Kural (Tiruvalluvar). Penguin Books. ISBN 978-9351180159.
  • Robert Charles Zaehner (1973). The Bhagavad-gītā. Oxford University Press. pp. 187, 200. ISBN 978-0195016666.
  • Albert Schweitzer (2013). Indian Thoughts and Its Development. Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada: Read Books. ISBN 978-1473389007.
  • I. Sundaramurthi, ed. (2000). குறளமுதம் [Kural Ambrosia] (in Tamil) (1st ed.). Chennai: Tamil Valarcchi Iyakkagam.
  • Rama Vedanayagam (2017). திருவள்ளுவ மாலை மூலமும் எளிய உரை விளக்கமும் [Tiruvalluvamaalai: Original Text and Lucid Commentary] (in Tamil) (1st ed.). Chennai: Manimekalai Prasuram.
  • K. Veeramani (2015). Tirukkural—Valluvar: Collected Works of Thanthai Periyar E. V. Ramasamy (1 ed.). Chennai: The Periyar Self-Respect Propaganda Institution. ISBN 978-9380971919.
  • H. V. Visveswaran (2016). தமிழனின் தத்துவம் திருக்குறள் அறம் [The Tamil's Philosophy: Tirukkural Virtue] (1 ed.). Chennai: Notion Press. ISBN 978-9386073747.
  • Zvelebil, Kamil (1973). The Smile of Murugan: On Tamil Literature of South India. Leiden: E.J. Brill. ISBN 9004035915. Retrieved 7 March 2018.
  • Zvelebil, Kamil (1974). Tamil Literature. Otto Harrassowitz Verlag. ISBN 978-3447015820.
  • Zvelebil, Kamil (1975). Tamil Literature. Handbook of Oriental Studies. Leiden: E.J. Brill. ISBN 9004041907. Retrieved 7 March 2018.
  • Zvelebil, Kamil (1992). Companion studies to the history of Tamil literature. Leiden: E.J. Brill. ISBN 978-9004093652.
  • Mylan Engel Jr. (2000). "The Immorality of Eating Meat," in The Moral Life: An Introductory Reader in Ethics and Literature, (Louis P. Pojman, ed.). New York: Oxford University Press. pp. 856–889.
  • Kaushik Roy (2012). Hinduism and the Ethics of Warfare in South Asia: From Antiquity to the Present. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-1107017368.
  • Joanne Punzo Waghorne (2004). Diaspora of the Gods: Modern Hindu Temples in an Urban Middle-Class World. New York: Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0195156638.
  • Vanmeegar (2012). Thirukkural: Couplets with English Transliteration and Meaning (1st ed.). Chennai: Shree Shenbaga Pathippagam.
  • Thomas Manninezhath (1993). Harmony of Religions: Vedānta Siddhānta Samarasam of Tāyumānavar. New Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass. pp. 78–79. ISBN 978-8120810013.
  • Monier Monier-Williams (2002). Entry "bhasya", In: A Sanskrit-English Dictionary, Etymologically and Philologically Arranged to cognate Indo-European Languages. New Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass. p. 755.
  • P. V. Kane (2015). History of Sanskrit Poetics. New Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass. p. 29. ISBN 978-8120802742.
  • P. Sensarma (1981). Military Thoughts of Tiruvaḷḷuvar. Calcutta: Darbari Udjog. pp. 40–42.
  • Karl Graul (1856). Der Kural des Tiruvalluver. Ein gnomisches Gedicht über die drei Strebeziele des Menschen (Bibliotheca Tamulica sive Opera Praecipia Tamuliensium, Volume 3). London: Williams & Norgate.
  • G. P. Chellammal (2015). திருக்குறள் ஆய்வுக் கோவை [Tirukkural Research Compendium] (in Tamil) (1 ed.). Chennai: Manivasagar Padhippagam.
  • Winslow, Miron (1862). A comprehensive Tamil and English dictionary of high and low Tamil (1 ed.). Madras: P. R. Hunt.
  • Muthiah, S. (2014). Madras Rediscovered. Chennai: EastWest. ISBN 978-9384030285.
  • N. Velusamy and Moses Michael Faraday (Eds.) (2017). Why Should Thirukkural Be Declared the National Book of India? (in Tamil and English) (First ed.). Chennai: Unique Media Integrators. ISBN 978-9385471704.
  • John Lazarus (1885). Thirukkural (Original in Tamil with English Translation). W.P. Chettiar. ISBN 8120604008. {{cite book}}: ISBN / Date incompatibility (help)
  • Tamilarasu, V. (2014). Kuralamizhdham (1 ed.). Chennai: Arutchudar Anbar Group. pp. 27–46.
  • N. V. Subbaraman (2015). வள்ளுவம் வாழ்ந்த வள்ளலார் [Valluvam Vaalndha Vallalar]. Chennai: Unique Media Integrators. ISBN 978-9383051953.
  • Manavalan, A. A. (2010). A Compendium of Tirukkural Translations in English. Vol. 4 vols. Chennai: Central Institute of Classical Tamil. ISBN 978-8190800020.
  • Walsh, William (2018). Secular Virtue: for surviving, thriving, and fulfillment. Will Walsh. ISBN 978-0692054185.

Journals and magazines

Newspapers

Online