திருக்குறளில் அறநெறிக் கோட்பாடுகள்: ஓராழ்ந்த வாழ்வியல், சமூக மற்றும் அறிவியல் நோக்கு

Ethical Principles in Thirukkural: A Deep Study of Life, Society, and Science

Abstract

During the period spanning Sangam and post-Sangam literature, various works focused on practical life principles — including the Ettuthokai (Eight Anthologies), the Pattuppattu (Ten Idylls), and the Pathinenkilkanakku (Eighteen Lesser Texts) — were composed in Tamil. Among the Pathinenkilkanakku series, the Thirukkural stands as the crown jewel of ethical literature. Revered across the world as the "Universal Veda" (Ulakap Pothumarai), it was authored by the poet-saint Thiruvalluvar.

The greatness of the Tamil land is celebrated globally in the tribute that "Tamil Nadu gained world renown by giving Valluvar unto the world." Free of the narrow boundaries of caste, religion, race, gender and language, the Thirukkural presents egalitarian life principles applicable to all humanity. It examines individual discipline, the virtues of domestic life (Illaram), the ethics of asceticism (Thuravaram), social justice, and political ethics in depth.

Drawing directly on the primary text, this paper foregrounds the central moral values the Thirukkural advocates — love, charity, hospitality, impartiality and purity of mind — and, on the basis of findings reported in contemporary international research journals, undertakes a comparative analysis of Thirukkural ethics against other Dharma Sastras. It further examines the concepts embedded in the Thirukkural in relation to modern science, social psychology, agriculture and educational management, together with their continuing relevance to present-day needs.