TIRUVALLUVAR THE TIRUKKURAL

a new english version of a
beloved tamil classic. the tirukkural (honoured kural) is one of the world?s
greatest literary and philosophical masterpieces. composed in tamil by
tiruvalluvar sometime between 2 bce and 5 ce, its succinct couplets seek to
explain and guide the reader through life?s various situations: political,
spiritual, domestic and social. not much is known about tiruvalluvar he is
believed to have been one or more of the following: a weaver, an ascetic, a
teacher, a minister, a seafarer or even a king. what is indisputable, as
gopalkrishna gandhi says in the preface, is that he was ?a clear thinker?, ?a
sharp observer of life? and ?a master of his language and?complex poetic
forms?. ?kural?, in tamil, means ?short?. each of the tirukkural?s 1,330
verses holds its meaning tightly, gives its message in something like
telegraphese. often called the universal book of principles, the work is
organized into 133 chapters and three books. ?book i: being good? is aimed at
householders and sets out the principles of leading an ethical life. ?book
ii: being politic? is a manual for rulers and statesmen on the qualities and
duties of leaders, aspects of governance, military strategies, and methods to
acquire wealth honestly. ?book iii: being in love? is a poetic exposition on
love. it is presented from the points of view of both the man and the woman
in different situations from the moment of falling in love, through the pain
of separation to the joy of reconciliation. talking about our classics, the
philosopher and statesman dr s. radhakrishnan said as they ?constitute the
essential spirit of our culture, are a part of our very being, they should
receive changing expression according to the needs and conditions of [a
particular] time.? gopalkrishna gandhi?s retelling of the kural, in keeping
with that philosophy, showcases the great beauty and wisdom of tiruvalluvar?s
masterpiece for the twentyfirstcentury reader. features: a contemporary
retelling for the current age, this new version will bring the tirukkural to
a new generation of readers. originally composed sometime between 2 bce and 5
ce, it has been admired for centuries for its literary prowess. the
philosophy of the kural has remained relevant through the years. this
excellent new translation by gopalkrishna gandhi showcases the beauty and
wisdom of this classic.