Message of Thirukkural in 64 Verses
Part 1
The Praise of God
1.
Verse 1.
Just as the alphabet starts with “A”, so does the Universe start with God.
2.
Verse 2.
Scripture that fails to glorify God’s attributes is useless.
3.
Verse 3.
Cultivating the divine attributes while maintaining mental balance brings longevity.
4.
Verse 4.
People who cultivate the divine attributes without extremism are protected from negative thoughts.
5.
Verse 5.
The Mystic Occultists who relate God’s myths, relate dreams which cannot be proven to be right or wrong.
6.
Verse 6.
Because God’s Attributes control the senses, following a value system brings prosperity and long life.
7.
Verse 7.
God is unique. Putting God’s attributes into practice relieves anxiety.
8.
Verse 8.
Following the value system will save you when you are surrounded by wrong-doing.
9.
Verse 9.
Unless you obey the Eight Core Values, you will lose self-control and your life will be useless.
10.
Verse 10.
Loving God’s attributes will keep you from drowning amidst the chaos of life.
Part 2
INDIVIDUAL
11.
Verse 983.
The foundation of virtue consists of love, peace, truth, right conduct and non-violence.
12.
Verse 75.
Peace is a state of mind from which love flows into a family giving rise to the supreme joy of a home.
13.
Verse 355.
The path to knowledge lies in seeking out the truth of all things.
14.
Verse 392.
Writing, mathematics, art and science are what enable us to make sense of the world.
15.
Verse 396.
Profound learning yields ever-increasing knowledge.
16.
Verse 717.
Rationalist study is valued by intelligent people.
17.
Verse 929.
Alcoholics lose their reason and drown in their affliction.
18.
Verse 31.
Virtue leads to humanism and prosperity, the ultimate good.
19.
Verse 249.
A confused mind twists the truth and wisdom is worthless without compassion.
20.
Verse 291.
Truth consists in speaking accurately and factually without malice.
21.
Verse 300.
Truth is the highest power.
22.
Verse 32.
Your joy and prosperity increase through right conduct and decrease through lack of virtue.
23.
Verse 33.
Do good wherever you find the opportunity.
24.
Verse 317.
Embrace non-violence at all times, even in your mind.
25.
Verse 953.
People who practice human values have true character, a friendly smile, generosity, courtesy and are well spoken.
FAMILY
26.
Verse 212.
Wealth derived from work should be used to benefit your family.
27.
Verse 45.
In a home where love and values are supreme, grace and prosperity come to stay.
28.
Verse 47.
One who lives in a married state is the greatest. Marriage bliss is the greatest happiness.
29.
Verse 50.
The ideal spouses who create a virtuous family has the merit of a divinity.
30.
Verse 51.
A good spouse, although a working person earning their own income, still, wisely spends their partner’s money to keep the house in good order.
31.
Verse 62.
Children with principles are parents’ greatest gift.
32.
Verse 67.
It is a parent’s duty to expose their children to the teachings of the wise.
SOCIETY
33.
Verse 543.
Saints and their scriptures as well as a leader who governs are informed by the same principles of Human Rights.
34.
Verse 544.
The leader who governs by Human Rights can rely on the people’s devotion.
35.
Verse 546.
Leadership based on Human Rights is stronger than the rule of the sword.
36.
Verse 554.
Leaders who abuse Human Rights will lose active citizen participation and wealth.
37.
Verse 556.
The State that loses the principle of Human Rights falls into darkness.
38.
Verse 541.
Govern democratically on the basis of facts, consultation and justice.
39.
Verse 542.
The people’s happiness is determined by the quality of their leadership and justice.
40.
Verse 382.
Leaders are defined by courage, generosity, knowledge and zeal in application.
41.
Verse 383.
A leader must be alert, open to learning new things, and brave.
42.
Verse 632.
An executive looks after the subordinates by being knowledgeable, unswerving and bold.
43.
Verse 631.
A good executive will act innovatively, in the right way and at the right time.
44.
Verse 550.
Criminals are like weeds in a field of crops – they must be removed by the judiciary.
45.
Verse 561.
Justice punishes people on the basis of the facts to deter future crimes.
46.
Verse 547.
Legislature passes laws to protect society. Justice protects individual dignity.
47.
Verse 1022.
Diligent work and mature wisdom combined will lift up the nation to the ideal state.
48.
Verse 1026.
Giving back to the nation is a praiseworthy duty.
49.
Verse 560.
The six functions of society are ruined if leaders do not protect it.
(The Six Functions are aspects of sociology.
The Six Functions is family, community, civil society, activism, public service and economy)
50.
Verse 524.
A happy community is a guarantee of financial success.
51.
Verse 1023.
In civil society, when people unite in service of the nation, triumph is assured.
52.
Verse 1021.
Diligent work is supremely virtuous.
53.
Verse 1051.
Demand from those who failed in their obligation to maintain equitable distribution of resources to supply them.
54.
Verse 1058.
Without committed activism, society would be robotic in an indifferent apathetic world.
55.
Verse 769.
Weakness, aversion and poverty undermine the public service.
56.
Verse 766.
The four merits of public service are training, faith, honour and valour.
57.
Verse 731.
If citizens are virtuous, the economy will thrive.
58.
Verse 738.
A healthy country is fertile, joyful, wealthy and secure.
59.
Verse 545.
The land governed by a leader who implements Nature Rights will prosper.
60.
Verse 557.
Leadership that does not consider the wellbeing of all beings is barren.
61.
Verse 559.
Living under a tyrant is like living in a country ruined by drought.
NATURE
62.
Verse 20.
Water is life. Water comes from rain and without rain we cannot perform our duties.
63.
Verse 12.
Rain is necessary for all the food and drink we consume.
64.
Verse 14.
Farmers cannot work without rain.