CURRENT AFFAIRS | MARCH 2026
CLAT Relevance
• GK Section — Tamil literature, Indian philosophy, cultural heritage facts
• Key Numbers — 1,330 couplets, 133 chapters, 3 divisions, 40+ translations
• Frequently Tested — Author, structure, divisions, scholarly descriptions
• GK Section — Tamil literature, Indian philosophy, cultural heritage facts
• Key Numbers — 1,330 couplets, 133 chapters, 3 divisions, 40+ translations
• Frequently Tested — Author, structure, divisions, scholarly descriptions
About the Author — Thiruvalluvar
- Full name: Thiruvalluvar (also called Valluvar)
- Identity: Tamil poet, philosopher, and ethical thinker
- Birthplace: Mylapore, Chennai (Tamil Nadu)
- Name meaning: “Thiru” = saint/revered | “Valluvar” = belonging to the community of soothsayers or priests
- Period: Estimated between 3rd century BCE and 5th century CE (exact dates debated)
Structure of the Thirukkural
Key Facts — Must Remember
• Total couplets: 1,330
• Total chapters: 133 (each containing exactly 10 couplets)
• Three major divisions: Aram (Morality, 38 chapters), Porul (Materialism, 70 chapters), Inbam/Kamam (Love, 25 chapters)
• Total couplets: 1,330
• Total chapters: 133 (each containing exactly 10 couplets)
• Three major divisions: Aram (Morality, 38 chapters), Porul (Materialism, 70 chapters), Inbam/Kamam (Love, 25 chapters)
The Three Divisions
- Book of Morality (Aram): 38 chapters — virtue, ethics, dharma
- Book of Materialism (Porul): 70 chapters — wealth, governance, statecraft
- Book of Love (Inbam/Kamam): 25 chapters — love, relationships, desire
Notable Descriptions by Scholars
Scholar Quotes — High-Frequency MCQ Material
• E.S. Ariel (French Indologist): Called it a “book without a name” — reflecting its universal, timeless quality
• George Uglow Pope (British translator): Described Thiruvalluvar as the “Bard of Universal Man” — emphasising applicability across all cultures
• E.S. Ariel (French Indologist): Called it a “book without a name” — reflecting its universal, timeless quality
• George Uglow Pope (British translator): Described Thiruvalluvar as the “Bard of Universal Man” — emphasising applicability across all cultures
Why Thirukkural Matters Today
The Thirukkural has been translated into over 40 languages. It addresses topics ranging from personal ethics to statecraft, making it relevant to discussions on good governance, justice, and moral philosophy — themes directly connected to legal education and constitutional values.
Mnemonic — Remember the 3 Divisions
A-P-I: Aram (38 chapters, Morality), Porul (70 chapters, Materialism), Inbam (25 chapters, Love) = 133 chapters, 1,330 couplets
A-P-I: Aram (38 chapters, Morality), Porul (70 chapters, Materialism), Inbam (25 chapters, Love) = 133 chapters, 1,330 couplets
Source: UPSC Essentials, The Indian Express — March 2026
Practice Quiz
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