'Thirukkural' does not instruct; it illuminates. It does not command; it persuades. It is not bound to any era; it transcends time with clarity in 1,330 couplets — or Kurals.
Published Mar 30, 2025 | 9:00 AM ⚊ Updated Mar 30, 2025 | 9:00 AM
Thiruvalluvar statue at Kanniyakumari. (Tamil Nadu Tourism)
Synopsis: Set probably in the post-Sangam era, Thirukkural is still relevant, thanks to its aphoristic teachings. Frequently quoted by politicians, the Kural is part of Tamil life and identity, though political interests have recently made efforts to claim its ownership.
More than 2,000 years after it was composed, poet and philosopher Thiruvalluvar’s Thirukkural continues to shape Tamil Nadu’s political discourse. Its verses, simple but profound, are incorporated to campaign speeches, parliamentary debates, and ideological battles.
How does a work so ancient remain so relevant? Scholars, politicians, and common people alike point at its universality—its wisdom untethered from religion, caste, or creed.
The answer is simple. Thirukkural does not instruct; it illuminates. It does not command; it persuades. It is not bound to any era; it transcends time with clarity in 1,330 couplets — or Kurals.
“Thirukkural is a treatise on ethical living with a clear purpose,” Siva Madhavan, a retired professor and former head of the Tamil Department at Kanchi Mamunivar Government Institute for PG Studies & Research, said.
‘Thirukkural’ is a treatise on ethical living with a clear purpose. (Wikimedia Commons)
“It speaks of God, but it is not a hymn to any deity. It discusses rulers, but it is not written for a particular king. Thirukkural is a guide to individual morality, family values, societal welfare, governance, and power structures. Its teachings transcend language, nationality, and religion, making it universally relevant—not just for the present but for the future as well,” he added.
Its enduring presence in Tamil Nadu’s political discourse stems from this universality. Leaders across party lines invoke its wisdom because it offers timeless insights into governance and public welfare.
Madhavan highlighted Kural 734, which defines the characteristics of a prosperous nation:
“உறுபசியும் ஓவாப் பிணியும் செறுபகையும்
சேராது இயல்வது நாடு.” (Kural 734)
“A good nation is one free from extreme hunger, unending disease, and destructive enemies.”
“Thiruvalluvar does not name any specific country,” Madhavan explained. “This truth applies to all nations, at all times. This is what we call ‘universality.’ That is why Thirukkural continues to be spoken about and written about. There is no equivalent text in other languages with this level of comprehensive wisdom. This is why Thirukkural remains at the heart of Tamil Nadu’s political landscape—and why it will continue to do so,” he opined.
From election campaigns to governance debates, Thirukkural is more than just a literary reference; it is a moral compass that Tamil politicians turn to time and again, he said.
Despite its spiritual undertones, Thirukkural does not advocate any religion. This neutrality allows it to be widely accepted in Tamil Nadu’s political and social landscape, said Annalakshmi Subramani, a schoolteacher at SRDF Vivekananda Vidyalaya in Chennai.
“There is no mention of any specific faith,” she said. “While Thiruvalluvar dedicated an entire to divine praise, he did not refer to any particular deity such as Shiva, Murugan, Jesus, or Allah. This is why it is called the ‘Universal Veda.’”
Subramani added that Thirukkural’s broad appeal has led to translations in multiple languages, making it one of the most widely translated Tamil texts.
However, according to a report, the book has increasingly become a political symbol. In 2019, controversy erupted when the Tamil Nadu BJP unit shared an image of Thiruvalluvar in saffron robes, replacing the traditional white attire. Dravidian leaders criticised it as an attempt to “saffronise” the savant.
More recently, Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi received a backlash for using a similar saffron-clad depiction of Thiruvalluvar on a Raj Bhavan event invitation card.
In 2021, during his oath-taking ceremony, Chief Minister MK Stalin quoted Thirukkural to emphasise his administration’s commitment to good governance.
Citing Kural 517—”கொளல்வேண்டும் கண்ஆண்மை தோன்றின் விளைவவேண்டும் வேண்டா பிற.” (If one seeks power, it must bear fruit; if not, it is unnecessary)—he underscored that governance must always lead to tangible results for the people.
For BJP’s Tamil Nadu president K Annamalai, Thirukkural has served as a tool to criticise the government.
During a public address in 2023, he referenced Kural 447—”அன்றி யருளல்லது இல்லாயின் நோநொந்தார் துன்றல் உடைந்துமென் கோள்.” (Without justice and compassion, the suffering will abandon their leaders)—to accuse the ruling DMK of failing to uphold the values of justice in governance.
Similarly, AIADMK leader Edappadi K Palaniswami has drawn from Thirukkural to highlight alleged lapses in governance. In 2022, he cited Kural 541—”குடிசெய்வார் குடிமைபோல் ஆங்காங்கே நாடுசெய்வார் நாடு.” (A leader should nurture a nation as one nurtures a household)—criticizing the DMK government’s handling of economic policies and claiming that the administration had failed to strengthen the state’s financial stability.
Even Rahul Gandhi, during his 2019 election campaign, turned to Thirukkural to frame his vision of ethical leadership.
Addressing a rally in Coimbatore, he referred to Kural 541, reiterating that a leader must nurture the people with the same care and dedication as one does a family. His use of Thirukkural was aimed at connecting himself with the Tamil voters, underscoring the text’s universal appeal across political ideologies.
These instances highlight why Thirukkural remains an integral part of Tamil Nadu’s political discourse. Whether used to inspire governance, critique opposition, or resonate with the electorate, its verses continue to shape the state’s leadership narrative.
Chennai resident Elango, with a deep interest in Thirukkural stated, ‘Thirukkural, otherwise known as Vazhviyal or the science of life, is not just a text for politics—it is referred to everywhere in Tamil-connected spaces. This is because it is not a religious scripture; it does not preach but rather serves as a DIY guide to life,” he said.
“For example, the English proverb ‘First impression is the best impression’ encourages judgment based solely on appearance. But Thirukkural advises otherwise, urging us to analyse words for their truth regardless of who speaks them. As it begins—”அப்பொருள் யார்வாய்க் கேட்பினும்…”—seek the truth, no matter the source.’,” Elango added.
(Edited by Majnu Babu).
