Ethics in Tirukkuṟaḷ and Ācārakkōvai

The present study, comprising three essays, attempts to highlight the cultural aspects of ancient Tamils and Vedic codes and conducts illustrated respectively in Tirukkurä and ¿c¿rakk¿vai, the didactic works of post-Sangam period (c. 250-600 CE). The first essay titled, "Virtues in Tirukkural and Other Tamil Didactic Works - A Bird's Eye View" discusses in detail some major virtues and some evil deeds stated in Tirukkural, N¿ladiy¿r, Palamoli N¿n¿ru, ¿c¿rakk¿vai, Cirupañcam¿lam, etc. The second essay titled, "Familiar Terms and Unfamiliar Connotations: Cultural Overtones in Tirukkurä" deliberates thoroughly on certain unique recurring Tamil terms of cultural significance such as c¿nr¿n (noble man), n¿kku (sight of love), natpu (love, i.e., the sexual friendship), virundu (novelty), nanri (good deed), and n¿rram (fragrance) as rendered in classical Sangam literary works and Tirukkural. The third essay titled, "Sleeping to Salvation: Vedic Codes and Practices" intensely discourses on the Br¿hmäic injunctions pronounced in the didactic text ¿c¿rakk¿vai. It poignantly deliberates on all codes and conducts-that one needs to follow sincerely in his/her inner (home) and outer (public) spheres - as prescribed by the poet Kayatt¿r Peruv¿yin Mu¿¿iy¿r.