திருக்குறளில் மதிநுட்பம்: ஓர் நரம்பியல் மூளைநரம்பியல் ஆய்வு

Intellectual Acuity in Thirukkural: A Neuroscientific and Neurobiological Study

Authors

  • Prof. Dr. M. A. Aleem Neurologist Dhanalakshmi Srinivasan Medical College, Siruvachur and ABC Hospital, Trichy. Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.63300/tm07052026.10

Keywords:

Thirukkural, Arivudaimai (The Possession of Knowledge), Neuroscience, Neurobiology, Prefrontal Cortex, Amygdala, Neurobiology of Wisdom, Social Brain

Abstract

Knowledge and Wisdom are pivotal components in the evolutionary development of the human race. Over two thousand years ago, the divine poet Thiruvalluvar explained the indispensability of knowledge in the chapter ‘Arivudaimai’ (The Possession of Knowledge). This research paper explores and compares the intellectual concepts presented in the Thirukkural with modern findings in Neuroscience and Neurobiology.

Specifically, this study discusses how the functions of brain regions such as the Prefrontal Cortex, Amygdala, and Hippocampus are subtly described within Valluvar’s couplets.

The scope of this research is expanded based on:

  • The neurobiological models of wisdom proposed by Meeks and Jeste (2009).
  • The theories of habit formation described by Eike K. Buabang (2025).
  • The brain's capacity to discern fake news/misinformation as explained by Andrea Grignolio (2022).

This study neurobiologically substantiates how knowledge serves as a protective fortress, a tool for mental regulation, and a power to discern the ultimate truth.

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Author Biography

  • Prof. Dr. M. A. Aleem, Neurologist Dhanalakshmi Srinivasan Medical College, Siruvachur and ABC Hospital, Trichy.

    பேரா.மரு.எம். ஏ. அலீம், மூளை நரம்பியல் நிபுணர், தனலட்சுமி ஸ்ரீனிவாசன் மருத்துவக்கல்லூரி, சிறுவாச்சூர், மற்றும் ABC மருத்துவமனை, திருச்சி.

    Prof. Dr. M. A. Aleem , Neurologist Dhanalakshmi Srinivasan Medical College, Siruvachur and ABC Hospital, Trichy.

    *Correspondence: drmaaleem@hotmail.com | Tel: +919944241270

References

[1]. Borysiewicz, Leszek. "Prevention Is Better than Cure." Clinical Medicine, vol. 9, no. 6, 2009, pp. 572-83.

[2]. Buabang, Eike K., et al. "Leveraging Cognitive Neuroscience for Making and Breaking Real-World Habits." Trends in Cognitive Sciences, vol. 29, no. 1, 2025, pp. 41-59.

[3]. Bubic, Andreja, D. Yves Von Cramon, and Ricarda I. Schubotz. "Predictions, Cognition and the Brain." Frontiers in Psychology, vol. 1, 2010, p. 25.

[4]. Grignolio, Andrea, Micaela Morelli, and Marco Tamietto. "Why Is Fake News So Fascinating to the Brain?" European Journal of Neuroscience, vol. 56, no. 11, 2022, pp. 5967-71.

[5]. Inagaki, Tristen K., et al. "Neurobiology of Giving versus Receiving Support: The Role of Stress-Related and Social Reward-Related Neural Activity." Psychosomatic Medicine, vol. 78, no. 4, 2016, pp. 443-53.

[6]. Luo, Jan. "The Neural Basis of and a Common Neural Circuitry in Different Types of Pro-social Behavior." Frontiers in Psychology, vol. 9, 2018, p. 859.

[7]. Meeks, Thomas W., and Dilip V. Jeste. "Neurobiology of Wisdom: A Literature Overview." Archives of General Psychiatry, vol. 66, no. 4, 2009, pp. 355-65.

[8]. Steimer, Thierry. "The Biology of Fear and Anxiety Related Behaviors." Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience, vol. 4, no. 3, 2002, pp. 231-49.

[9]. Thiruvalluvar. Tirukkural. Translated and Commentary by Parimelazhagar.

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Published

05/01/2026

How to Cite

திருக்குறளில் மதிநுட்பம்: ஓர் நரம்பியல் மூளைநரம்பியல் ஆய்வு: Intellectual Acuity in Thirukkural: A Neuroscientific and Neurobiological Study. (2026). Tamilmanam International Research Journal of Tamil Studies, 7(05), 1574-1585. https://doi.org/10.63300/tm07052026.10

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