Thiruvalluvar
The poet-saint, a weaver by profession, who tested his wife's faith and lived a happy married life until her death, after which he became an ascetic.
The Kural
The Master and author of the Kural, whose work is described as divided into three parts.
Part I—Righteousness
The author who presents the comprehensive framework of righteousness, covering householder and ascetic virtues.
Part II—Wealth
Author of the Kural; appears as a consummate statesman and moral teacher in this part.
Part III—Love
Author of the Kural, depicted as a universal sage whose work spans moral duties, state policy, and love, free from sectarian constraints.
The Verse
The author of the Kural, praised for his masterful use of the verse form and literary artistry.
Parimêlajahar
Author of the Kural, whose work is illuminated by Parimêlajahar's commentary.
The Kural
Author of the Kural, whose maxims are the subject of the chapter.
I: In Praise of the Lord
Author of the Kural, presenting the praise of the Lord.
III: The Greatness of Those Who Have Renounced the World
Author of the Kural, presenting the chapter on renunciation.
Part I: Righteousness
The author and central figure whose teachings on righteousness are presented.
Section I: The Life of the Householder
Author of the Kural, presenting teachings on householder life.
Family Life
Author of the Kural, presenting the ideals of householder life.
VI: The Blessings of a Good Helpmate
The author of the Kural, whose verses in this chapter define the ideal wife and her virtues.
VII: Offspring
Author of the Kural, presenting teachings on the value and duties related to offspring.
IX: Hospitality
Author of the Kural verses on hospitality.
X: Kindness of Speech
Author of the Kural verses on kindness of speech.
Self-Control
Author of the Kural verses on self-control.
XV: Non-Desiring of Another Man’s Wife
Author of the Kural verses on marital fidelity and righteousness.
XX: Refraining from Vain Speaking
Author of the Kural, whose aphorisms on refraining from vain speech are presented.
XXI: Fear of Evildoing
Author of the Kural, presenting moral teachings on the fear of evildoing.
Glory
Author of the verses on glory.
Section II: The Life of the Ascetic
Author of the Kural, whose teachings on asceticism and virtue are central to this section.
Subdivision A: Discipline
Author of the Kural, whose teachings on discipline are central to this chapter.
XXVI: Abjuring of Flesh-Meat
Author of the verses advocating abstention from flesh-meat.
XXVII: Tapas
Author of the Kural verses on tapas, presenting the doctrine of austerity.
XXVIII: Imposture
Author of the Kural verses on imposture and hypocrisy.
XXX: Truthfulness
The author of the Kural, presenting the teachings on truthfulness.
XXXI: Abstaining from Anger
Author of the Kural, presenting teachings on abstaining from anger.
XXXII: Non-Injuring
Author of the Kural, presenting the moral precept of non-injuring.
Non-Killing
Author of the Kural verses on non-killing
Subdivision B: Wisdom
Author of the Kural, central to the chapter's exploration of wisdom.
XXXV: Renunciation
Author of the Kural, presenting teachings on renunciation.
Realisation of the Truth
Author of the Kural verses on the realisation of truth and liberation from delusion.
XXXVII: The Killing of Desire
Author of the Kural, presenting the teaching on desire as the root of rebirth and the path to liberation.
Part II: Wealth
Author of the Kural, presenting teachings on wealth.
Section I: The Prince
Author of the Kural, whose teachings on statecraft are referenced.
XXXIX: The Qualifications of the Prince
Author of the Kural, presenting the ideal qualities of a prince.
Learning
Author of the Kural verses on learning.
XLI: The Neglecting of Instruction
Author of the Kural verses on the value of instruction and the folly of ignorance.
XLII: Listening to the Instruction of the Wise
Author of the Kural, whose verses convey the importance of heeding wise instruction.
XLIII: The Understanding
Author of the Kural, whose aphorisms on understanding are presented in this chapter.
XLIV: Eschewing of Faults
Author of the Kural, providing moral teachings on eschewing faults.
XLV: Courting the Friendship of the Worthy
Author of the Kural verses on the importance of befriending the worthy.
XLVI: Keeping Aloof from Vulgar Company
Author of the Kural, whose teachings on the influence of company on character and virtue are presented.
XLVII: Deliberation Before Action
Author of the Kural verses on deliberation before action.
XLVIII: Judging of Strength
Author of the Kural, providing wisdom on judging strength and self-measure.
Judging of Place
Author of the Kural, providing wisdom on military strategy and the importance of terrain.
LI: Testing of Men for Confidence
Author of the Kural verses on testing men for confidence.
LII: Testing and Employment of Men
Author of the Kural verses on testing and employing men.
LIII: Cherishing of Kindred
Author of the Kural, providing wisdom on the value of kindred.
LIV: Guarding Against Insouciance
Author of the Kural, providing wisdom on vigilance and caution.
LV: Just Government
Author of the Kural, presenting teachings on just governance.
LVII: Abstaining from Deeds That Cause Trepidation
Author of the Kural, providing counsel on princely conduct.
LIX: The Service of Intelligence
Author of the Kural; provides counsel on statecraft and the use of intelligence.
LXI: Abstention from Sloth
Author of the Kural verses condemning sloth and extolling diligence.
LXIII: Intrepidity in the Face of Misfortune
Thiruvalluvar is the author of these verses, imparting wisdom on facing misfortune.
Section II: The Members of the Body Politic
Author of the Kural, providing wisdom on statecraft and governance.
LXIV: The Councillor of State
Author of the Kural, presenting the ideal qualities of a state councillor.
LXV: Eloquence
Author of the Kural, whose aphorisms on eloquence are presented in this chapter.
LXVI: Purity of Action
Author of the Kural verses on purity of action.
LXVII: Decision of Character
Author of the Kural verses on decision of character and willpower.
LXIX: The Ambassador
Author of the Kural, presenting the ideal qualities of an ambassador.
LXX: Comporting Oneself Before Princes
Author of the Kural; provides aphoristic advice on courtly conduct.
LXXI: Judging by Looks
Author of the Kural verses on judging character by looks.
LXXV: Fortresses
Author of the Kural, providing aphorisms on fortresses.
LXXVII: The Characteristics of the Army
Author of the Kural, presenting aphorisms on the qualities of a strong army.
LXXVIII: The Self-Abandon of the Warrior
Author of the Kural, presenting teachings on warrior ethos.
LXXIX: Friendship
Author of the Kural, presenting aphorisms on the nature and value of true friendship.
LXXX: Testing of Fitness for Friendship
Author of the Kural verses on testing friendship.
LXXXVI: The Defiant Spirit
Author of the Kural, delivering moral teachings on the dangers of defiance and the value of forbearance.
LXXXVII: The Characteristics of Enemies
Author of the Kural, providing aphorisms on the characteristics of enemies.
LXXXVIII: The Appraising of Enemies
Author of the Kural verses on enmity and statecraft.
LXXXIX: The Traitor in the Camp
Author of the Kural verses on the theme of betrayal and internal division.
XC: Refraining from Offending the Great Ones
Author of the Kural, presenting teachings on the peril of offending the powerful.
Section III: Miscellaneous
Author of the Kural, whose verses are the subject of this section.
XCVI: Respectability of Birth
Author of the Kural verses on the respectability of birth and family honor.
XCVII: Honour
Author of the Kural, presenting teachings on honour and dignity.
CIII: Advancing the Family
Author of the Kural, providing aphorisms on family advancement through labor and virtue.
CIV: Husbandry
Author of the Kural verses on husbandry, extolling agriculture as the chief industry and the linchpin of society.
CVII: The Dread of Beggary
Author of the Kural, presenting moral teachings on the dread of beggary.
Part III: Love
Author of the Kural, whose verses on love are central to this part.
Section I: The Secret Marriage
Author of the Kural, whose verses on love and marriage underpin the narrative.
CX: Reading of the Heart by Signs
Author of the Kural verses on lovers' signs and glances.
CXI: In Praise of the Union
The author of the Kural, whose verses praise the union of lovers.
CXII: In Praise of Her Beauty
Author of the Kural, likely the speaker praising the beloved's beauty.
Section II: Chastity
Author of the Kural, presenting teachings on chastity.
CXVI: The Pangs of Separation
Author of the Kural verses on the pangs of separation.
CXXVI: The Losing of the Sense of a Dignified Reserve
Thiruvalluvar is the author of the Kural verses that form the basis of this chapter's reflections on love and decorum.
CXXVII: The Longing of the Lovers to Meet
The author of the Kural, whose verses in this chapter explore the theme of love and separation.
