24 Facts About Valluvar

Thiruvalluvar, commonly known as Valluvar, was a celebrated Tamil poet and philosopher.

Valluvar is best known as the author of the Tirukkural, a collection of couplets on ethics, political and economical matters, and love.

Valluvar is believed to have lived at least in the town of Mylapore, and his floruit is dated variously from fourth century BCE to early fifth century CE, based on the traditional accounts and the linguistic analyses of his writings.

Valluvar has influenced a wide range of scholars down the ages since his time across the ethical, social, political, economical, religious, philosophical, and spiritual spheres.

Valluvar has long been venerated as a great sage, and his literary works a classic of Tamil culture.

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Valluvar was likely married to a woman named Vasuki and lived in Mylapore.

In 2005, a three-member research team from the Kanyakumari Historical and Cultural Research Centre claimed that Valluvar was born in Thirunayanarkurichi, a village in present-day Kanyakumari district.

Valluvar is generally thought to have belonged to either Jainism or Hinduism.

The 1819 translation by Francis Whyte Ellis mentions that the Tamil community debates whether Valluvar was a Jain or Hindu.

Zvelebil further states that Valluvar seems to have been "cognizant of the latest developments" in Jainism.

Purnalingam Pillai, Valluvar has not condemned Saiva Siddhanta or its principles anywhere in the text, which he says is the crucial test to be applied in determining his religion.

Valluvar's mentioning of God Vishnu in couplets 610 and 1103 and Goddess Lakshmi in couplets 167,408,519,565,568,616, and 617 hints at the Vaishnavite beliefs of Valluvar.

Further, in some teachings about politics, economics, and love, Valluvar undoubtedly has translated into Tamil the verses found in Sanskrit texts such as Arthasastra.

Valluvar's elegantly written interpretations have made his commentary a Tamil classic and maneuvered Valluvar as consistent within the framework of Parimelalakar's Hinduism.

Dalit activist Iyothee Thass, who converted to Buddhism, claimed that Valluvar was originally called "Tiruvalla Nayanar", and was a Buddhist.

Valluvar observes, "None of the ten epithets by which the Deity is described in the opening chapter of the Kural have the remotest connection with Christ or God, that is to say, as they are designated in the Bible".

Valluvar's work is a classic on realism and pragmatism, and it is not a mystic, purely philosophical document.

Valluvar teachings are similar to those found in Arthasastra, but differ in some important aspects.

Valluvar recommends that a well kept and well trained army led by an able commander and ready to go to war is necessary for a state.

Valluvar recommends forts and other infrastructure, supplies and food storage in preparation for siege.

However, in the Tamil literary tradition, Valluvar is attributed to be the author of many other later-dated texts including two Tamil texts on medicine, Gnana Vettiyan and Pancharathnam.

Valluvar is traditionally worshiped as a god and saint by various communities across the Southern region of India.

The locals believe that this is where Valluvar was born, underneath a tree within the shrines complex.

Valluvar's works have influenced the South Indian classical music and popular culture.