During the BRICS Summit in New Delhi, PM Narendra Modi presented Russian President Vladimir Putin with a Russian translation of the Tirukkural, a seminal work of Tamil philosophy emphasizing universal ethics and morality.
- PM Modi gifted a Russian translation of the Tirukkural to President Putin.
- The text, written by poet-philosopher Tiruvalluvar, comprises 1,330 couplets.
- It is divided into three core sections: Virtue (Dharma), Polity (Wealth), and Love.
On the sidelines of the BRICS Summit 2026 in New Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi engaged in a bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. In a gesture of deep cultural diplomacy, the Indian Prime Minister gifted Putin a Russian translation of the Tirukkural, a revered masterpiece of ancient Tamil literature. The translation, executed by Naira Mkrtchyan, was published by the Central Institute of Classical Tamil.
Understanding the Tirukkural
The Tirukkural, which translates to "sacred verses," is an influential treatise on ethics and morality authored by the poet-philosopher Tiruvalluvar. The work is structured with mathematical precision: it consists of 1,330 couplets (known as "kurals"), organized into 133 chapters, with each chapter containing exactly 10 couplets.
Structure of the Text
| Book Section | Core Theme | Number of Chapters |
|---|---|---|
| Book of Virtue (Aram) | Individual morality and values | 38 |
| Book of Polity (Porul) | Socio-economic values and governance | 70 |
| Book of Love (Inbam) | Human emotions and love | 25 |
Why This Matters
BozokMedia analysis shows that the gifting of the Tirukkural is a strategic deployment of India's "soft power." By presenting a text that transcends religion, caste, and race, India is communicating a message of universal humanism to a global superpower. It underscores India's identity not just as a rising economic power, but as a custodian of timeless wisdom that remains relevant in modern geopolitical discourse.
"The Tirukkural serves as a universal moral compass, offering guidance that is as applicable to a modern head of state as it was to ancient citizens."
The themes of the Tirukkural are profoundly modern. Tiruvalluvar warned against the miseries caused by greed, wrath, and jealousy, advocating instead for spirituality, charity, and kindness. His views on education—positing that true education is inseparable from virtue—draw frequent parallels with the works of the Greek philosopher Plato.
The text's global reach is evident in its translation history. First published in English in 1840, it has since been translated into over 60 languages. George Uglow Pope, a renowned Tamil scholar, famously referred to Tiruvalluvar as "The Bard of Universal Man," highlighting the text's appeal to all of humanity regardless of origin.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who wrote the Tirukkural?
It was written by the ancient Tamil poet-philosopher Tiruvalluvar.
2. How is the Tirukkural structured?
It consists of 1,330 couplets divided into 133 chapters, focusing on Virtue, Polity, and Love.
