Tirukkural
AI-drafted · awaiting admin review
Thiruvalluvar's 1,330 couplets on virtue, wealth and love, among the most translated works of Indian literature and admired across faiths.
| Tradition | Tamil (ethical; claimed by many faiths) |
|---|---|
| Type | Ethical classic |
| Language | Tamil |
| Period | Dates are debated by scholars; usually placed in the early centuries CE |
| Composed or compiled by | Traditionally attributed to Thiruvalluvar |
What it contains
- 133 chapters of 10 couplets each (kurals).
- Aram (virtue), Porul (wealth and statecraft) and Inbam (love).
- Teaching on non-violence, truthfulness, gratitude and good governance.
- Written in the two-line kural venba metre.
Significance
It is often called the "universal scripture" (ulaga podhu marai) of the Tamils, and its couplets are widely displayed in public places in Tamil Nadu.