Thirukkural
This section covers information, quotations, and fill-in-the-blank exercises related to the first twenty-five chapters (Adhikarams) of Thirukkural. It includes comprehensive explanations of chapters from Araththuppaal's Payiraviyal and Illaraviyal sections: Love, Character, Education, Learning, Knowledge, Self-control, Discipline, Patience, Friendship, Truthfulness, Right Time, Strength, Understanding Help, Gratitude, Righteousness, Seeking Great People's Support, Wealth Management, Determination in Action, Speaking Kindly, Energy, Charity, Acting with Knowledge, Not Doing Harm, Avoiding Bad Company, and Agriculture.
Learning Content
Basic Information about Thirukkural
1. What is Thirukkural?
Thirukkural is the greatest literary work in Tamil literature. It was written by the great poet Thiruvalluvar. This book, revered worldwide, is called the "Universal Scripture" (Ulaga Pothumarai).
2. Structure of Thirukkural:
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Sections (Paal) | 3 (Aram, Porul, Kamam) |
| Total Iyal | 10 |
| Total Chapters | 133 |
| Total Kurals | 1330 |
| Kurals per Chapter | 10 |
| Lines per Kural | 2 |
| Words per Kural | 7 |
3. Three Sections (Paal):
| Section Name | Chapters | Kurals | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Araththuppaal | 38 | 380 | About virtue and ethics |
| Porutpaal | 70 | 700 | About wealth and politics |
| Kaamaththuppaal | 25 | 250 | About love and marital bliss |
4. Divisions of Araththuppaal:
Payiraviyal (Preface):
- Praise of God (1-10)
- Glory of Rain (11-20)
- Greatness of Ascetics (21-30)
- Assertion of Virtue (31-40)
Illaraviyal (Household Life):
- 20 chapters
- Ethics for family life
Thuravaraviyal (Ascetic Life):
- 14 chapters
- Ethics for ascetics
First 25 Chapters - Detailed Table
| S.No | Ch.No | Chapter Name | Kural Nos | Iyal | Section |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 8 | Anbu (Love) | 71-80 | Illaraviyal | Araththuppaal |
| 2 | 2 | Vaan Sirappu (Rain) | 11-20 | Payiraviyal | Araththuppaal |
| 3 | 40 | Kalvi (Education) | 391-400 | Thuravaraviyal | Araththuppaal |
| 4 | 42 | Kelvvi (Listening) | 411-420 | Thuravaraviyal | Araththuppaal |
| 5 | 43 | Arivudaimai (Wisdom) | 421-430 | Thuravaraviyal | Araththuppaal |
| 6 | 13 | Adakkam (Humility) | 121-130 | Illaraviyal | Araththuppaal |
| 7 | 14 | Ozhukam (Discipline) | 131-140 | Illaraviyal | Araththuppaal |
| 8 | 16 | Porai (Patience) | 151-160 | Illaraviyal | Araththuppaal |
| 9 | 79 | Natpu (Friendship) | 781-790 | Porutpaal | Porutpaal |
| 10 | 30 | Vaaimai (Truthfulness) | 291-300 | Illaraviyal | Araththuppaal |
| 11 | 49 | Kaalam Arithal (Timing) | 481-490 | Thuravaraviyal | Araththuppaal |
| 12 | 61 | Vali Arithal (Strength) | 601-610 | Thuravaraviyal | Araththuppaal |
| 13 | 22 | Oppuravuarithal (Charity) | 211-220 | Illaraviyal | Araththuppaal |
| 14 | 11 | Seindhandri Arithal (Gratitude) | 101-110 | Illaraviyal | Araththuppaal |
| 15 | 99 | Saandraanmai (Righteousness) | 981-990 | Porutpaal | Porutpaal |
| 16 | 45 | Seeking Elders' Help | 441-450 | Thuravaraviyal | Araththuppaal |
| 17 | 76 | Wealth Management | 751-760 | Porutpaal | Porutpaal |
| 18 | 62 | Determination | 611-620 | Thuravaraviyal | Araththuppaal |
| 19 | 10 | Speaking Kindly | 91-100 | Illaraviyal | Araththuppaal |
| 20 | 60 | Energy | 591-600 | Thuravaraviyal | Araththuppaal |
| 21 | 23 | Eegai (Charity) | 221-230 | Illaraviyal | Araththuppaal |
| 22 | 47 | Acting with Knowledge | 461-470 | Thuravaraviyal | Araththuppaal |
| 23 | 32 | Not Doing Harm | 311-320 | Illaraviyal | Araththuppaal |
| 24 | 84 | Bad Friendship | 831-840 | Porutpaal | Porutpaal |
| 25 | 104 | Uzhavu (Agriculture) | 1031-1040 | Porutpaal | Porutpaal |
Specialties of Thirukkural
1. Universal Concepts:
- Accepted by people of all religions
- Timeless principles
- Complete guide for human life
2. Literary Excellence:
- Profound meaning in brief form
- Complete message in two lines
- Rhyme and alliteration pattern
3. Translations:
- Translated into over 40 languages
- Taught in many countries worldwide
Important Notes for TNPSC Exam
- Must Remember:
✓ Total Kurals: 1330
✓ Total Chapters: 133
✓ Total Sections: 3
✓ One Chapter: 10 Kurals
✓ Thiruvalluvar - Author
2. Frequently Asked Questions:
- Kural numbers
- Chapter names
- First line quotations
- Fill in the blanks
- Meaning explanations
3. Study Method:
- Read each chapter separately
- Understand the meaning while reading
- Remember kural numbers
- Revise frequently
Quick Memory Notes
Classification of Chapters:
Virtue-based: Love, Discipline, Truthfulness, Gratitude, Not Doing Harm
Knowledge-based: Education, Listening, Wisdom, Acting with Knowledge
Character-based: Humility, Patience, Speaking Kindly, Charity
Action-based: Determination, Energy, Timing, Strength
Social Relations: Friendship, Bad Friendship, Seeking Elders' Help, Understanding Help
Profession: Agriculture, Wealth Management
Sub Topics
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