The importance of virtue

What more does a man require than virtue, which ends the cycle of births, and also confers contentment through wealth and fame.

The felicitous state envisaged here is referred to in Tamil as 'Kuraivilladha Kuraivu". It is a moot point whether Valluvar"s 'Cirappu" would mean earthly distinction or final release (otherwise referred to as heaven). Parimelalagar prefers the latter. I agree with that view. After all 'Selvam" in this Kural would imply also such distinction (cirappu) and together they stand for all earthly good. The first word of the couplet therefore, should refer to the attainment of final release, which is the highest reward secured by a righteous man.

When the Bible says in the following passages the righteous shall 'flourish" and be 'filled", the implication is not merely earthly but heavenly fulfillment as well:

Rajaji uses the word 'Dharma" for 'Aram" and that would also endorse the interpretation of 'cirappu" as final release, as a life of Dharma should certainly lead to it. But the two terms are essentially different, as 'Aram" is the specific code of practical conduct for the individual, while 'Dharma" is a more vaguely extensive concept covering many spiritual and social ideas as well.