இல்லறவியல் - II

In the last lesson, you learnt about the importance of a good wife, children and their duties, the significance of hospitality etc., as expressed by Thiruvalluvar. In this lesson you shall see what the poet has to say about the factors that contribute to the success of a man's social relationships.

No man is an island. He is a part of the society he lives in. Hence, it is essential for him to talk sweetly to others, to be loving, unprejudiced, generous and to live in harmony with those around him. He should not be covetous or selfish. From these views as expressed by Thiruvalluvar, we can also understand something about Tamil culture.

Love is an important ingredient of life. Several religious leaders and scholars have pointed out the value of love. Saivism says "Anbe Sivam" (Love is Siva). Similarly, Christianity says God is love. Thiruvalluvar tells us how valuable love is and how it should be expressed when we interact with others. Love is like a spring that gushes freely. It makes no distinctions of wealth or class or status and has no boundaries. He who has love in his heart, has everything. Love is a strong power that can make or mar relationships. It helps to keep the machinery of domestic life go on smoothly. Those devoid of love are selfish and their actions will bring harm both to themselves and others.

How do we show our love to others? First, by our speech and then by our actions. Being generous to others depends on our economic position. But mere words do not cost us anything. Hence, Thiruvalluvar says that sweet words are more powerful and valuable than even generous actions. Our speech manifests our love. He who is sweet-tongued, will not suffer from poverty, because he will have a host of friends to help him in times of adversity.

It is important for a man to be unbiased not only in his social dealings but also in his attitude towards his children. The good and the bad that a man does in this life, lives on and affects his progeny even after two or three generations. Man has two invaluable possessions -- his honor or virtue, and his life. Once lost, they can never be regained. But between the two, Thiruvalluvar gives greater importance to honor or virtue. A virtuous man acquires a good name for himself and benefits those around him. Hence, virtue has greater value than life itself.

No man is perfect. It would be better, therefore, to overlook a man's faults and appreciate his merits. However, he who covets another man's wife, will never be appreciated, no matter what his merits are. Hence, covetousness is an evil that destroys all other good qualities.

A virtuous householder should be like the village pond. Its water is useful to everyone in the village. Similarly, a man's wealth should never be hoarded but made available to others in times of need. He who renders timely assistance to others, is worthy of respect and fame. The acquisition of such fame would be the greatest gain in a man's life.