Valluvar - The Sage, Poet and Philosopher

Thiruvalluvar, also known as Valluvar, was a poet and philosopher from ancient India. He is best known for his work, the Thirukkural, a collection of couplets on ethics, political science, and love. The Thirukkural is considered one of the greatest works of Indian literature and is still widely studied and revered today. While it is written in the ancient and rich language Tamil, it has been translated into several other languages including but not limited to English, Hindi, Sanskrit, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, and several European languages such as French, German, and Russian.

Every year, Jan 17th is celebrated as Thiruvalluvar day. In recognition of his contributions, Thiruvalluvar's statue was installed in Kanyakumari at the southernmost tip of the Indian subcontinent, where the Bay of Bengal, the Indian Ocean, and the Arabian Sea meet. The 133-foot-tall (40.5 m) statue, symbolic to the 133 chapters of his work, depicts the poet in a standing posture, holding a volume of the Thirukkural. The statue was unveiled on January 1, 2000, by the then Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. This is a great tourist spot to visit if you plan to visit. The sunset and the beauty never ceases to mesmerize the viewer.

He is believed to have lived in the 4th century AD, in the Tamil Nadu region of southern India, though the exact date and place of his birth are uncertain and the details of his life are shrouded in mystery. He is said to have been a weaver by trade and is believed to have been a deeply spiritual and wise person.

Thiruvalluvar's Thirukkural is unique in that it is a compendium of moral teachings that is relevant to all sections of society, regardless of their occupation, religion or social status. It is an ethical treatise that covers a wide range of subjects such as virtue, wealth, love, governance and more. The Thirukkural is considered a universal work of ethics, suitable for all people and all times.

The Thirukkural is divided into three sections, each with 133 couplets, making a total of 1330 couplets. The first section, called "Aram" deals with virtue, the second section, called "Porul" deals with wealth, and the third section, called "Inbam" deals with love.

One of the most striking features of the Thirukkural is its simplicity and conciseness. Each couplet is self-contained and conveys a complete thought or idea. The couplets are also easy to memorize, which has helped to ensure their continued popularity and relevance.

Thirukkural presents a code of conduct that is based on universal principles of ethics and morality. This makes it a work that can be appreciated and followed by people of all backgrounds and beliefs.

Thiruvalluvar's emphasis on non-violence, humility and tolerance are also notable. He advocates for non-violence as the highest duty of man and encourages humility and tolerance as the path to inner peace and contentment. These teachings are particularly relevant in today's world where violence and intolerance continue to be major issues.

In addition to its literary and philosophical value, the Thirukkural has also been celebrated for its rich cultural heritage. It is considered one of the cornerstones of the Tamil literary tradition and has had a significant impact on Tamil culture and society.

In conclusion, Thiruvalluvar's Thirukkural is a timeless work that continues to be widely studied and revered today. Its universal message of ethics, morality and virtue is as relevant today as it was when it was written. Its simplicity, conciseness, secular nature, emphasis on non-violence, humility and tolerance make it a work that can be appreciated and followed by people of all backgrounds and beliefs. It is also a significant part of Tamil culture and heritage.