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Sage Thiru-valluvar
"The Bard of Universal Man"
Click the links here to read Thirukural in
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Translator's Preface
 

  
   

 
           
  Guides to Translation       
 
   

We have closely adhered to Reverend G.U. Pope’s translation because he appears to be the most rigorous in translating Tamil words into English. For instance, in his book he includes

·                    Lexicon & Concordance, where he list Tamil words, the verses in which they occur, & the meaning in English

·                    Note on Grammar of Kural (where he differentiates ancient and modern Tamil)

·                    Note on Metre of Kural (and points out that it is entirely different from Sanskrit and Telugu).

 		  
Rev Dr GU Pope, Dr SM Diaz, JR Narayanaswamy
           
  Modifications in Translation       
 
   

Reverend G.U. Pope’s translation is often changed in following ways:

  • We have used words common in contemporary English rather that of his days (1886 A.D.)

  • Where meaning is not coming out with clarity, Dr S.M. Daiz's translation is consulted

  • When even that is not clear enough, Shri J.Narayanasamy's translation is refered

  • We have translated “Kama” as “Passionate Love” and not “Love”

 		  

           
  “Kama”       
 
   

Part III of Thirukkural is titled “Kamathupal” or “Section on Kama”. This Part deals exclusively with the emotions in relationship between two lovers (boy and girl in first 7 chapters, husband and wife in next 18). Such love involves sexual attraction and is different from other types of love, like a mother has for her children, or we have for our neighbors. Hence “Kama” is translated as “passionate love” by us.

 

Thiruvalluvar has dealt with other types of love also. Love between family members is mentioned in “Family Life” (Chapter 5). Love for children in “Wealth of Children” (Chapter 7). Love for neighbors in “Kindness of Love” (Chapter 8).

 

The word “Kama” is common to Sanskrit also where again it is used in context of relationship between lovers (recall Kamasutra). Thiruvalluvar has generally used Pure Tamil words. His use of “Kama” suggests that he deliberately imported this because in Tamil he did not find an equally fitting word for the subject of the Part III. Thus on the whole, translation of “Kama” as “passionate love” appears more valid to us.

 		  
Kama Deva or God of Love in Hinduism
           
  Copyrights of Others       
 
   

Most images used by us are downloaded from the net. We have attempted to

 

·                    Download only from websites which provide images in “public domain” – like Deviantart.com, Flikr.com, Wikipedia.com.

·                    Acknowledged the artist & source where available.

·                    Taken permission of copy right holders wherever we cold contact

 

If anyone feels aggrieved, she or he may kindly write to us at rajeev@kural.in  .

 		  

           
  Our Copyright       
 
   

This website is not copy righted. However, kindly respect the copy rights of artists whose images are in this website.

 		  

           
  Finances       
 
   

This website is funded by HR Era Foundation. Expenses are limited to that on web-hosting domain renewal, since people have served for free. If you wish to help or contribute, please contact raghavendra@kural.in .

 		  

           
         
 
   

 

  
           
           
       
   


A Drawing of Thiruvalluvar drawn by Writing His 1330 Verses in Tamil,
You Can Buy at http:\\www.ArtWanted.com\Rajeswari
Artist: Rajeswari Raja.

 
           
           
   

References

     
     

 

      
           
Kural
       
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