Thiruvalluvar's epic work Thirukkural in Gujarati

The Prime Minister took to Twitter and stated that Thiruvalluvar's literary works have influenced humanity for centuries.

"I bow to the great Thiruvalluvar. Simple and vast in scope, his thoughts and writings have been a strong influence on humanity for centuries," Prime Minister said in a tweet.

"Will release a Gujarati translation of Thiruvalluvar's iconic work, Thirukkural later today," PM said in another tweet.

Thiruvalluvar was a celebrated Tamil poet and philosopher whose contribution to Tamil literature is the Thirukkural, a work on ethics.

He was born in either Chennai or Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu. Both Buddhists and Shaivites also claim him as their own.

Thiruvalluvar is thought to have lived sometime between the 3rd century BC and the 1st century BC.

The famous Tamil poet Mamulanar of the Sangam period also mentioned that Thiruvalluvar was the greatest Tamil scholar. There is no archaeological evidence for when he lived.He is sometimes referred to as Theiva Pulavar ("Divine Poet"), Valluvar, Poyyamozhi Pulavar, Senna Pothar,Gnana Vettiyan or Ayyan.

Thirukkural is one of the most revered ancient works in the Tamil language. It is considered a 'common creed', providing a guide for human morals and betterment in life.

The treatise has been translated into several languages, including a translation into Latin by Constanzo Beschi in 1730, which helped make the work known to European intellectuals.

Thirukku?a? is a combined word formed by joining the two words Thiru (meaning revered) and Kural (is a form of poem writing style, like Ballad in English Poems. Other forms of poem writing styles in Tamil are Venpa, Yaappu etc.).

Thirukku?a? is divided into three sections: section one deals with Aram, good ethical behavior with conscience and honor ("right conduct"); section two discusses Porul, the right manner of conducting worldly affairs; and section three dwells on Inbam, love between men and women.

The first section has 38 chapters, the second 70 chapters and the third 25 chapters. Each chapter consists of 10 couplets or kurals, for a total of 1330 couplets.

Although two sections, Aram and Inbam, are devoted to the private life of an individual more than half the couplets in Thirukural are grouped under Porul which discusses ethics in public life. Thus Thiruvalluvar gives more importance to righteous living in public life.

IANS