Hindu Administrative Institutions c6.s3.57

c6.s3.57

Apart from these scattered references there is the *Tirukkuṟaḷ* of Tiruvaḷḷuvar which is a treatise on these three objects of life; hence the work is known as *muppaḷ*, a synonym for *trivarga*, given by Śīttalai Śāttanār, the famous poet.⁴ The three divisions of the poem are அறம், பொருள், இன்பம். Parimēlaḻakar, the celebrated commentator of this great treatise, explains briefly what these terms connote. According to him ‘*aram*’ is to carry out what has been ordained by Manu and other law-givers, and to refrain from what has been prohibited by them. He classifies this into three parts: ஒழுக்கம், வழக்கு, தண்டம் which exactly correspond to āchāra, vyavahāra, and prāyaśchitta, of Sanskrit lore. The first is the observance of sādhāraṇa dharma (common) including svadharma. This latter is very important inasmuch as it enforces the responsibilities of the individual. This is the individual whom, as Miss Follet the author of the New State remarks, the modern state has not yet found. The second (or vyavahāra) constitutes eighteen different kinds such as borrowing, deposit, etc. This is the right of person and property. The third sub-division is daṇḍa which concerns those who stray beyond the beaten track of āchāra, as āchāra and vyavahāra belong to the category of positive law. Tiruvaḷḷuvar has taken only the first sub-division ஒழுக்கம் under his main division of ‘aram’. Here are examined the duties common to all classes of society, the observance of which would result in happy home-life and ultimate release from re-birth. Among these universal dharmas figure prominently dāna (gifts) and tava (penance).¹ After dealing with aram or dharma in 318 stanzas, the poet takes up the second purushārtha (பொருள்) which is expounded in 700 verses. Here is examined Rāja Nīti, the essence of which constitutes protection and administration of the state. This is again sub-divided into three sections அரசியலில் (nature of government), அங்கவியல் (organs of government), ஒழிபியலில் (other features of government). The last division of this treatise contains 250 stanzas which deal with kāma or normal enjoyments in life. To realize this, wealth is a necessary factor. This is again sub-divided into two sections (களவியல்) pre-nuptial love and (கற்பியல்) post-nuptial love. It is interesting how Valluvar has closely followed the *Smṛtis* like Manu as clearly explained by Parimēlaḷagar in his great commentary. It is said that the three kings of the Tamil land, the Pāṇḍya, the Chōḷa and the Chēra drew much real information from the pages of this treatise and carried on their administration along the lines laid down therein.