Explanations:Thirukkural, written by the poet Thiruvalluvar, is a seminal work in Tamil literature that has had a profound impact on Indian culture and philosophy. The text consists of 1330 couplets, or kurals, which are divided into three sections: Aram (virtue), Porul (wealth), and Inbam (love). Each section contains 380 kurals, with the final 10 kurals dedicated to the praise of God.
The teachings of Thirukkural are centered around ethical living and moral principles. The section on Aram, which focuses on virtue, contains numerous kurals that emphasize the importance of non-violence, truthfulness, and compassion. These ethical teachings resonated deeply with Mahatma Gandhi, who was seeking a philosophical foundation for his approach to the Indian freedom struggle.
Gandhi was particularly influenced by the ethical principles of non-violence (ahimsa) and truth (satya) that are central to Thirukkural. The text's emphasis on the moral and ethical dimensions of human behavior provided Gandhi with a framework for his philosophy of non-violent resistance, which he termed Satyagraha. This approach to political and social change was characterized by the use of non-violent methods to achieve justice and freedom.
While other Tamil literary works such as Tolkappiyam, Kamba Ramayanam, and Silappadikaram are significant in their own right, they do not have the same ethical teachings that inspired Gandhi. Tolkappiyam is primarily a grammar text, Kamba Ramayanam is an epic poem based on the Ramayana, and Silappadikaram is an epic that deals with themes of love and justice. None of these works have the same focus on ethical living and non-violence that is found in Thirukkural.
Thirukkural's influence extends beyond its impact on Gandhi. It is widely regarded as one of the greatest works of Tamil literature and has been translated into numerous languages. The text's teachings on ethical living and moral principles continue to be relevant and influential in contemporary discussions of ethics and philosophy.