Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday joined Prime Minister Narendra Modi in paying tributes to the revered Tamil poet-philosopher Thiruvalluvar on the occasion of Thiruvalluvar Day, highlighting the enduring relevance of his teachings across generations.
In a message shared on social media, Amit Shah described Thiruvalluvar as a great sage whose life and works embodied the highest virtues of Indian civilisation. He said Thiruvalluvar’s ideals illuminated the path towards a pious life and a harmonious society, adding that his legacy would continue to guide India’s journey toward greatness.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also paid homage to the celebrated Tamil thinker, noting that Thiruvalluvar believed deeply in compassion and social harmony. The Prime Minister urged people to read the Tirukkural, describing it as a timeless work that reflects the outstanding intellect and ethical clarity of the philosopher-poet. He said Thiruvalluvar personified the finest values of Tamil culture.
Thiruvalluvar, believed to have lived around two millennia ago, is regarded as one of the greatest poet-philosophers of the Sangam era. Though accounts of his birthplace and period vary, scholars generally place his life between the 4th century BCE and the 6th century CE. In 1935, the Tamil Nadu government officially recognised 31 BCE as his birth year.
His magnum opus, the Tirukkural, consists of 1,330 couplets covering themes of morality, governance, economics, and love. The work is widely acclaimed for its universal values and ethical depth and is considered among the greatest literary contributions of Tamil civilisation. Over the centuries, it has earned titles such as Tamil Veda, Potumarai, and Teyvanul, reflecting its spiritual and philosophical significance.
Thiruvalluvar’s life exemplified the ideal balance between spiritual pursuit and household responsibilities, demonstrating that ethical and divine living need not require renunciation of family life. Across southern India, he is revered as a saint and, in some traditions, even worshipped as a divine figure, underscoring his lasting influence on Indian thought and culture.
