Virtue of Virtues

Today we will again look at Thirukural, which is the ethical treatise belonging to Tamil classical literature.

Interesting I came across two absolutes inThirukkural.

Kural 297

Poiyaamai poiyaamai aatrin arampira

seiaamai seiaamai nanru

For a person who always speaks the truth, there is no need at all for other virtues, he need not seek other virtues.

There are 380 verses on Virtue itself, through which Thiruvallur has explored so many facets of  Virtue:  Possession of self control, Virtuous Conduct , Forbearance, Avoidance of Envy, Avoidance of Covetousness, Avoidance of Backbiting, Non-asperion, Avoidance of Pointless Speech, Avoidance of Anger, Truth, Giving, Dreading evil deeds eic. etc.

As I read and try to understand the meaning of these verses, I am totally awestruck by the depth of wisdom encapsulated in each verse.

The above verse seemed to have a slight slant of comparison and makes you wonder if there was anything called "Virtue of Virtue" then would that be Truth?

Not that Thiruvalluvar would want us to weigh or choose between Virtues, this verse is indicative of the supremacy of Truth, and all other virtue will follow this quality automatically.

The repetition of the word "Poiyaamai" is intended to bring out the invariability of truthfulness, while the second repetition of "Seiaamai" is indicative of the certainty involved.

Let's see Kural 165, so is there a mother of all Vices?

Alukkaru utaiyarkku atucalum onnar
Valukkiyum ketin patu

Envy is the producer of All Evil;  A man's own envy is foe enough to forge his ruin, Even though he has no other enemies.

Thiruvallur says if a person feels jealousy of envy, this feeling will pave the way for all other evil qualities such as anger, hatred and greed that will eventually ruin him.
Envy makes a man lose happiness without having a single enemy in the outer world. It makes for poverty amidst wealth and misery amidst joy.

It makes you think how true !

Next week I am going to write about "Forethought" some brilliant analysis on Planning, Plan of Action and Decision Making by Thiruvallur. When I read these Kurals, I wondered if the modern maagement techniques propounded by Gurus such as Peter Drucker and Herbert Simon, had a few thoughts borrowed from this great saint who lived more than two millenniums ago, or again the fact that great truths remain to be discovered again across periods of time.

Wait for the next blog!

Adieu