V. DHANALAKSHMI, முனைவர். கோ. கிருஷ்ணன்
DOI https://doi.org/10.63300/tm0110202522
Tamil literature is one of the world's most ancient and finest literatures. It is one of the world's greatest literatures, with a continuous tradition spanning over two thousand years. Tamil literary works expound on various aspects of life. Tamil literature encompasses many forms such as Venpa (a poetic meter), Tirukkural, Pudukkavithai (modern poetry), essays, proverbs, and ninety-six types of minor literary works (Sitrilakkiyangal). Our ancestors have categorized Sangam literature into Ettuthogai (Eight Anthologies), Pathuppattu (Ten Idylls), and Pathinenkilkanakku (Eighteen Minor Works). Among these, Tirukkural is the foremost and most important ethical text. This work is defined as a moral literary text. It is also known as 'Ulaga Podumarai' (Universal Veda) and 'Tamil Marai' (Tamil Veda). Bharathi praised this book, written by the revered Tamil poet Thiruvalluvar, saying: "Tamil Nadu, with its heavenly fame, Gave Valluvan to the world."
Madurai Thamizh Naganar, who understood the greatness of Tirukkural, declared: "All things are contained within it; There is nothing not contained within it." This statement highlights the profound essence of Tirukkural, transcending time and boundaries. The greatness of Tirukkural has been praised by 57 poets in the work "Thiruvalluva Maalai." Regarding the greatness of Tirukkural, Avvaiyar says: "Kural, which split an atom, poured seven seas into it, And then compressed it."
This book stands out as a preeminent work among all books in the world, notably for its exclusion of concepts like caste, religion, and race. Tirukkural also excels in showcasing the antiquity of Tamil and its principles of life.
Although this book points out life ethics such as moral discipline, domestic discipline, social discipline, and individual discipline, this research paper aims to analyze the multifaceted ethical thoughts that amaze the world, such as the ethics of love (Anbaram), the ethics of giving (Eethalaram), the ethics of domestic life (Illaram), and the ethics of hospitality (Virundhombal Aram).