Bold and Beautiful..

Unlike many Indian scriptures, Thirukkural does not brand any practice as holy !. Even today there are many traditions and practices which are considered holy and are not subjected to rational process.

For example some people perform puja(root word - Poosai - a Tamil word, i think ) in a ritualistic manner without anysense of events happening in their environment.

If there is draught, what is the use of puja?
Even the Gods will suffer( the draught).
[Sirappodu poosanai sellathu - vanam
varakku mel - vanorkkum indu.]
( Thirukkural Rain 2 : 8 )

This is such a profound statement. Different parts of the world experience draught in different times. The priority then should be to focus on resolving causes of the draught and making immediate relief.

Charity and Penance are other good examples. Both represent the goodness of ourselves. Thirukkural dedicates 2 chapters( 23 and 27 ) to describe the importance of these charcteristics. However the success of the rain and the wellness rain creates in the earth, is fundamental to success of Charity and Penance.

Charity and Penance cannot sustain
in a rainless world.
[ Thanam Thavam irandum thanga - viyan ulakam
vanam valangathu enin ]
( Thirukkural Rain 2 : 9 )


We can see such bold statements in many couplets in Thirukkural , where the wholeness of the Nature and Goodness are appreciated , even if they require challenging the traditions !