Originally written in Tamil language, Thirukkural is one of the great, popular and useful books of India, for the individuals and the
society as a whole. Called Tamil Veda, it is a classic in Tamil, written about 2000 years ago. It covers many universally applicable aspects of human life, but mainly Ahimsa, sacrifice and ethical living. The present book contains the Tamil version, along with its English and Hindi translations. It is in two parts. First part contains Publishers note, Preface, Introduction and Thirukkural-an explanatory translation, in the three languages. Second part contains a total of 1330 stanzas in three sub-parts viz. Dharma containing 380 stanzas in 25 Chapters, Money containing 700 stanzas in 70 Chapters and
Love containing 250 stanzas in 25 Chapters. Each of these stanzas is, in these three languages. Some of the Chapters in the first sub-part are house holder’s dharma, to speak pleasant words, impartiality, self-interest, not coveting another’s wife, patience, penance,
truth speaking, not to kill, renunciation and destiny. Some of the Chapters in second sub-part are learning, illiteracy, not to forget one’s duties, not to terrorize, purity of action, wag of accumulating wealth, friendship, little knowledge, hostility, gambling, honour, greatness, courtesy, shame, poverty and meanness. The third sub-part contains Chapters like mental disturbances caused by the
beauty of the heroine, separation unbearable, increasing pain of loneliness, mental desire, longing for the reunion, unreasonable anger, pleasures of lovers and their temporary quarrels etc. All the stanzas have been composed beautifully, with adequate expressions. As an example, a few stanzas are reproduced below:
--Who guards her chastity, who attends to her husband’s comfort, who preserves the fame of the household, who never fails her domestic duties, she is an ideal woman.
--Hatred, sin, fear and disgrace, these four will never leave a person, who tries to entice his neighbour’s wife.
--It is far better to be a virtuous man in poverty, than to be a rich man rolling in ill gotten wealth.
--Lovers quarrel make their love sweet. That love gets its happiness, when the lovers embrace, they have their hearts united in harmony.
The people knowing English, Hindi, or Tamil will be benefitting from this book. It will be having a very wide coverage, for the people to read, assimilate and implement in their lives. Various aspects of ethical
living have been given in this book, in a different manner. This translation work emphasizes it, and brings out the uniqueness of the ancient culture and civilization of Tamil people. The book is pleasant to read, universal in appeal and easy to understand. It makes it possible for the people all over the country, to know this well known work.
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