Who was Tamil poet-saint Thiruvalluvar and why does his Thirukkural still matter

The Indian tradition of saints is not confined to one region or one language. Saints born in different parts of the country showed people the path of ethics, virtue, duty and love through their thought. In the Tamil saint tradition of South India, one such enduring name is Thiruvalluvar. A poet, philosopher and social thinker, his ideas are still considered as relevant as ever.

His great work, the Thirukkural, not only enriched Tamil literature but also set out reflections on different aspects of human life that remain useful in every age.

Historical information about Thiruvalluvar's life is limited, and scholars differ on when he lived. He is generally linked to the tradition of ancient Tamil literature and the Sangam era. By tradition, his birthplace is given as Mylapore, Chennai. According to the Tamil Nadu government's tradition, he is believed to have been born in 31 BCE, but different scholars hold different views on his period.

Tradition also holds that Thiruvalluvar was a weaver who lived a simple life. His wife is believed to have been named Vasuki. The contrast between the simplicity of his life and the height of his thought draws particular attention. It was from everyday experience that he set out a basic philosophy of human life.

Thiruvalluvar's greatest contribution is the Thirukkural. This work in the Tamil language is regarded across the world as an important text of ethical philosophy. Through very short couplets, he spoke on many questions of life.

The Thirukkural has three main divisions. Aram deals with virtue, ethics and moral life. Porul deals with society, governance, the economy and public life. Inbam deals with love and human emotions.

These three divisions consider countless subjects, including a person's private life, social responsibility, a king's duty, administration, friendship, family, education, restraint, honesty and love. Set down in very simple words, these ideas are not bound to any one era, which is why the Thirukkural is seen as timeless.

Ethics and virtuous conduct lie at the heart of Thiruvalluvar's thought. His works convey that a person's greatness lies not in wealth or social standing but in conduct. Acquiring knowledge is as important as putting it into right conduct. He gave a special place to values such as truth, restraint, compassion, gratitude, humility, hard work and justice. His philosophy makes clear the idea that when an individual's character is built, society's character is built too.

An important aspect of the Thirukkural is its thinking on governance. Thiruvalluvar set out his views on the qualities a capable king or ruler should have, what administration should be like, the importance of justice, how much capable advisers are needed, and how a government should give priority to the welfare of its people. His writing makes clear that governance is not a means of enjoying power but a responsibility for public welfare. The Thirukkural is therefore not only a book of morality but also an important document of social and political thought.

Another distinctive feature of Thiruvalluvar's thought is its broad humanist outlook. He valued the virtues of human life and placed conduct above birth, social position or outward identity. For this reason the Thirukkural became popular among different sections of society. Its message is not for any one group but for the whole of humanity.

A grand memorial stands in Kanniyakumari in Thiruvalluvar's memory. His statue, about 133 feet tall and built on a rock in the sea, is regarded as a symbol of Tamil culture and of Thiruvalluvar's ideas. The height of 133 feet is also significant: it was fixed to represent the 133 chapters of the Thirukkural. Standing on the seashore at Kanniyakumari, near the Vivekananda Rock Memorial, the statue has become an important symbol of South India's cultural heritage.

Saint Thiruvalluvar's work is not merely the pride of the literature of one language but a precious chapter in the vast intellectual tradition of Indian culture. Times have changed, society has changed, lifestyles have changed, but the importance of truth, ethics, love and virtue has not. That is the true and lasting message of Thiruvalluvar's thought.