சங்க இலக்கியத்தில் அன்பும் அறமும்: பழந்தமிழர் வாழ்வியலின் விழுமியங்களும் சமூகக் கட்டமைப்பும் குறித்த விரிவான ஆய்வு

Love and Virtue in Sangam Literature: A Comprehensive Study on the Values and Social Structure of Ancient Tamil Life

Abstract

Sangam literature serves as a temporal mirror reflecting the lifestyle of ancient Tamils, specifically their internal (Akam) and external (Puram) emotions. Created between 300 BCE and 300 CE, these literary works are centered around two grand principles that serve as the foundation of human life: 'Anbu' (Love) and 'Aram' (Virtue/Ethics). Sangam literature categorizes life into Akam and Puram, emphasizing various virtue-based ideologies. Within the structure of the family, it regulated a refined culture involving characters such as the hero, heroine, foster mother, biological mother, and neighbors; in the realm of politics, it highlighted the king’s benevolence, bravery, victory, and other leadership qualities.

Ancient Tamils sculpted their internal lives based on love and their external lives based on virtue. Through Sangam poems, this article extensively explores the depth of love, the strength of virtue that sustains that love, and the relationship between humans, animals, and nature. Furthermore, it analyzes how Sangam society maintained non-commercial ethics and a political system blending valor with compassion. It also examines the contribution of women in domestic life and how characters like the foster mother and biological mother upheld moral standards.