- The Madras High Court has refused to shift the annual celebration of ‘Tiruvalluvar day’ from the second day of Tamil month Thai (Pausa), as it is being followed now, to the Vaikasi (Vaisakha) Anusha Natchathiram day.
- Tiruvalluvar is the author of Tirukkural, a highly celebrated compendium of 1,330 couplets containing life lessons.
- While little is known about Thiruvalluvar’s life, his work has had a profound influence on philosophy, ethics, and everyday life.
- Tiruvalluvar is believed to have been a native of Mylapore, Chennai.
- The Tirukkural is considered a cornerstone of Tamil literature and culture, often referred to as the Tamil Veda.
- The Tirukkural is believed to have been written between the 3rd century BCE and the 5th century CE.
- The Tirukkural is divided into three sections: Virtuous Conduct (Aram), Prosperity (Porul), and Pleasure (Kamam).
- These align with the four Purusharthas of Vedic Hinduism—Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha, though Moksha is not directly addressed.
- The Tirukkural contains references to Vedic concepts, including duties of Brahmins, deities, and virtues like protecting cows.
- The text is celebrated for its relevance to daily life, with its wisdom touching various aspects of ethics, morality, and conduct.
- The text stresses the significance of virtue, ethical conduct, and spiritual wisdom.
Dig Deeper: Read about the Bhakti Traditions of Tamil Nadu.
