Indian Literature in Translation 1. Thirukkural - Thiruvalluyar atone @ celebrated poet and philosopher whose contribution to Tamil literature ld-famous. He is thought to have lived sometime between the 3+ Century BC and the 1* Century BC. There are claims and counterclaims as to the authorship of the book and to the exact number of couplets written by Thiruvalluvar. The firs instance of the ‘author's name mentioned as Thiruvalluvar is found to be several centuries later in a song of Praise called the Garland of Thiruvalluvar in Thiruvalluva Malai. He is sometimes called ‘Theiva Pular, Valluvar, Poyyamozhi Pulavar, Senna Pothar, Gnana Vettiyan, or Ayyan. ‘Thirukkural is one of the most revered ancient works in the Tamil language. It is considered a “Common Creed’ (Pothu Marai). It provides morals for the betterment of life for humanity. It has been translated into several languages of the world. Thus it has become known not only to the European intellectuals but to the intellectuals of the world altogether. Thirukkural is divided into three sections. The first section deals with ‘Aram’, which means good ethical behavior with conscience and honor. The second section deals with “Porul’ which means the right manner for conducting oneself in worldly affairs. The third section deals with ‘Kaamam’, meaning love between men and women. ‘The first section has 38 chapters, the second 70 chapters, and the third 25 chapters. Each chapter consists of 10 couplets or ‘kurals’, for a total of 1330 couplets. Although two sections, Aram and ‘Inbam’, are devoted to the private life of an individual more than half the couplets in Thirukural are grouped under ‘Porul’ which discusses ethics in public life, Thus _ ‘Thiruvalluvar gives more importance to righteous living in public life. : Commentaries and Translations on Thirukkural: There have been several commentaries written on Tirukkural over the centuries. The pioneer commentator is Manakkndavur. The earliest commentaries on the Tirukkural were by Manakkudavar and Pari Perumal who belong to the 11th century, Kaalingar of the 12th century, while Parimelazhagar of the 13th century. In 1935, V. O, Chidambaranar had written commentary on the First Par of the Tirukkura] - Virtue and published it with a different title. In 2008, the complete work ofCommentary on the Tirukkural was published. The Latin translation of the Tirukkural was made by Constanzo Beschi in 1730. An English Translation of Thirukural was made ty George Uglow Pope, who took the Tirukkural to the western world as early as 1886 itselt ‘Tris work is the first tanslation of Thirukkural into the English language. Thirukkural has been translated into not less than 37 languages across the world by different authors. However, Thirukural does not refer to any religion and hence it is called “Ulaga Pothumarai”. Chapter 40 - Thirukkural “On Learning” (is particular chapter speaks about education.) Valluvar elucidates his views on education in the following ten couplets and speaks on the importance of learning. He is of the view thaQlearning itself will make men perfect and knowledgeable.) The first couplet of the chapter explains(what should be learned and how one should retain the goodness of the learning and gct_accordingl}. He says that Jet_a_man learn thoroughly whatever he may Jear, and let his conduct be worthy-of his leaming. The second couplet of this chapter explains that(the components of learning, such as yes of man)\ ‘Letters and Numbers, are like the two ¢} \(tis comparison, though seems to be simple it takes a deep meaning (Vatlwvar considers that one who fails to have an education and Jeam the letters and gumbers is to be considered as two eyes!) ‘The third couplet elucidates the importance of the two eyes of a man in comparison ie third coupe o——— kmgysiar“eoacee with that of learning. The learned are said to have eyes, but the unlearned have merely two oe ee és ‘ ‘Those who possess two eyes on the face are not to be considered so if they sores in their face. don’t have an education. For,a man, itis difficult totead a life without eyes. His movements fe. Therefore the are curtailed and he has_to. seek the in his day-to-day uneducated are to be treated as blind even if they have two eyes son thei Face. ‘Those two eyes ie i i as the sore are to be treated only as sores, for they cannot perceive the world in the right sense eyes cannot see-the world around them. The-fourth couplet of this chapter briefs the imp Jeamed men. They love to listen and speak to each other and share their thoughts. Ttis the and on leaving, to make them feel _ ortance of the confluence of the part of the leamed]to give joy to those whom they meethow they will miss eac hey will miss each other and they depart with heavy hears thinking of their meeting again. le 1 be followed by the person who needs 10 ied are inferior to the ‘The next couplet characterizes the __Jearn_ffom the learned. The Couplet briefs as follows: “The unlearne lea 2 med, before whom they stand begging, as the destitute before the wealthy” wat the one who wishes to leam should approach the erudite beggar approaches @ wealthy for alms. — _ This couplet briefs about the knowledge gained by #.peson who reads cons Knowledge gained by on will be it ion to his learning. The poet compares this with that of the spring, He says that water will flow from ‘well in the sand in proportion to “the depth to which it is dug, and knowledge will flow from man in proportion 1 8 is jearnin). So it should be desired by the person who needs to develop himself intel jectually. "This means ‘The should read a lot. iplet numbered 397 literally means, “The learned make each land their, team naught, along what weary ways EY. ithout learning till his death yy country and every city find a home, who. tll they dies, xy should anyone remain illiterate wit ‘country has the right to acknowledge an: own, i “soam.) The poet says that why when the learned man of any sown asi owas te pens of te eae) ficks on to the person ‘The next couplet numbered 398 speaks about the goodness that sti fed over to his next seven birthd, The port Id hi who leams and the result of his learin willbe cari who lear 1d the result of his learns nn ST ee considers it to be true dha te leasiagsthar sme thas acquired in one birt, will yield him ‘during his seven elucidates thatthe process of learning and becoming learned will (spd the earned will long to ‘The 39h couplet make the person learn more -e of what they wish “Lenjoy pleasure inthe process) (rhe pleasure they derive from earn more and_seck a” exis earning will be the same that the world also derives similar pleas! ire from, it) ‘The last couplet of this chapter on beaming? briefs that Tearing is the true imperishable riches, All other weallh vot riches The men, who leam wil retain under __imperishable COC t wor ‘All other wealth is not 7° ‘any circumstance and it is the foremost wealth that ‘ome can possess It can never be stolenand lost( Learning has the ability to save the learned from miseries and worrie Whereas, all —_— SEL save th _—_ other wealth is not considered as wealth that would not save any from misery.) 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