The 133 chapters of the original scripture, Tirukural is divided into
- Preface
- Dharma or Virtue
- Artha or material
- Kama or love
Saint Tiruvalluvar begins his work by offering Salutations to the almighty God. In the first ten verses he renders his gratefulness and reverence to the all pervasive gods.
Verse (1)
Augara Mudala Yezhuthellam Audhi
Bhaghavan Mudhatre Ulaghu.
Explanation:
Just like the letter
'A' which is the first and the foremost of all the alphabets, the Almighty
GOD is the first and the source of the entire world.
The poet compares the first sound of the alphabets to the creator. He salutes the creator of the universe - to whom he attributes everything in the universe.
Verse (2)
Katradhanalaaya Payanen Kol Valarivan
Nartral Thozhar yenin.
Explanation:
How could knowledge profit a man, when that learning does not lead him to the feet of the GOD ?
A man may be a repository of high knowledge and good education. But if he is arrogant and does not bow down to the feet of GOD, who is an ocean of knowledge and LIGHT; the man's knowledge is a colossal waste.
Saint Tiruvalluvar stresses the importance of devotion and submission to God. He was an ardent devotee of the Hindu God SHIVA.