The Hindu : Tirukkural, guiding light for humanity

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Apr 24, 2003

Miscellaneous

Miscellaneous - Religion

Tirukkural, guiding light for humanity

CHENNAI APRIL 24 . "Laugh over your obstacles and when you face misfortunes. There is nothing like this remedy to overcome them." This statement is contained in one of our ancient texts dealing with morality, personal conduct, political rule and a variety of subjects concerning humanity. Will this quality of maintaining equanimity under adversity be possible to cultivate is the question that arises from this advice.

Scriptures and other books remind us that man alone is gifted with the power of discrimination, which he should use when problems confront him, as he can weigh the pros and cons before arriving at a decision. Today man stands at the crossroads, baffled as to the path he must choose. He goes about chasing after peace and happiness. The Thirukkural, in the form of couplets, noted for brevity and impregnated with profound moral truths, serves as a guiding light for humanity, telling man "how to live". Is it necessary for every human being to keep a goal before him and strive to reach it? His sole intention should be to achieve this ideal. How to aim at it has been mentioned by Saint Thiruvalluvar in his work. His recipe to gain happiness springs from strict adherence to the Law of Virtue. All other steps merit no praise, says the saint.

"There is no greater wealth one can acquire than Dharma (or Aram in Tamil) and no misfortune greater than forgetting it." How to adopt this in one's life? Evils like envy, craving for vanishing pleasures, anger and harsh speech should be avoided. "That course of conduct, which steers clear of desires, wrath and offensive comments should be eschewed and the mind kept pure", adds the poet. No doubt, to desist from enjoying worldly pursuits is not that easy as even if one tries his best, these pleasures will continue to exert their influence and will not leave him, said Swami Omkarananda in a lecture on Thiruvalluvar's theme of an integrated life. Citing the story of an ascetic who while bathing in a river saw at a distance a black apparel floating and thinking that it may be a woollen blanket, which can be used in winter by some one, he requested another person to seize it but unfortunately it was a bear, which even when that person wanted to discard it, would not leave him. "Protect righteousness, it will in turn safeguard you," advises the Mahabharatam.

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