Kural

By Thiruvalluvar, Tiruvaḷḷuvar Tiruvaḷḷuvar,  , et al.

Book Overview

A celebrated work by the greatest poet of classical Tamil literature Tiruvalluvar probably lived and wrote between the second century BC and the eighth century AD though his dates have not been conclusively established. The work by which he is known, the Kural, comprises 1,330 couplets and is divided into three sections-Virtue, Wealth and Love-and is based on the first three of the four supreme aims prescribed by Hindu tradition: dharma (virtue), artha (wealth), kama (love) and moksha (salvation). Taken together, the three books of the Kural inform, criticize and teach the reader, in brilliantly styled and pithy verse, about life, love and the ways of the world. Translated and edited with an introduction by P.S. Sundaram

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0144000091
• ISBN13: 9780144000098
• Release Date: January 2005
• Publisher: India Penguin Classics
• Length: 168 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.2" x 7.7"

Customer Reviews

Great Book on how to live in the World

Have read this book many a times and have been a constant companion in the times of distress and it has taught me many a things about like. Sage advice on life ,on politics has been just great.He tell you with his razor sharp insight about life as to what is this world really like. He tells you the reality and how to handle the world. 1300 shloks or Couplets are the best in the world and are applicable to indian and to the western Audince. Buy it and follow it you will not regret the Great SAGE's Advice on Life

A Classic of Tamil Literature

This set of approximately 1300 couplets is divided into three subcategories: Virtue, wealth and love. It gives plenty of advice in the Hindu and Jain tradition, not of asceticism, but of one who is active in the world, but wishes to be a good person and to have a good practical understanding of his or her faith. The poetry is simple but effective. Valluvar is on par with Valmiki in my opinion -- the reader of this short little book (167 pages) will come to learn that Tamil is juat as important a source of religious ideas as is Sanskrit and it is in use even today. A must-read for all seekers.