Tamil literature is a treasure trove, offering the world an abundance of poetry, wisdom, drama, and so much more. Among its many gems is the timeless masterpiece Athichudi, crafted by the revered poetess Avvaiyar, which I’ll be spotlighting in this article. What inspires me most about Athichudi is that this timeless wisdom was imparted by a woman—Avvaiyar—and it remains just as relevant today. When embraced, it guides us toward a fulfilling, joyful, and successful life.
Avvaiyar, a revered saint-poetess, holds a special place in Tamil literature, especially among students, as her poetry forms an essential part of their language learning. Though her real name remains a mystery, her wisdom is immortalized in works like Athichudi. In this masterpiece, she delivers profound messages through concise aphorisms that are both easy to memorize and recall. With 109 aphorisms, Athichudi cleverly starts with vowels and moves through consonants, making it a perfect guide for students to learn the alphabet while absorbing timeless life lessons.
Many scholars have explored each aphorism from Athichudi, offering in-depth interpretations or stories to illustrate the wisdom imparted by Avvaiyar. The brilliance of conveying profound truths in such a concise format requires a unique skill, one that our ancestors mastered. Let’s dive into a few select aphorisms and uncover their deeper meanings.
The first aphorism begins with the letter ‘A,’ a letter often regarded as auspicious in many languages, symbolizing Lord Vishnu. Athichudi follows this tradition by starting with this sacred letter. The opening aphorism, ‘அறஞ்செயவிரும்பு‘ (aṟañceyavirumpu), translates to ‘Always desire to do Dharma.’ This isn’t just a suggestion; it’s a duty. Here, Dharma refers to what is prescribed in the Vedas, actions that benefit us and do not cause harm to others. Avvaiyar intentionally adds the word ‘virumpu’ (desire) to emphasize that Dharma should not be performed begrudgingly, but with genuine enthusiasm and joy. Dharma safeguards us, as conveyed in the timeless saying: ‘धर्मोरक्षतिरक्षितः’ (dharmorakṣatirakṣitaḥ), which translates to ‘Dharma protects those who uphold it’.
The second aphorism is ‘ஆறுவதுசினம்‘ (āṟuvatuciṉam), which translates to ‘What must be controlled is anger.’ Many texts, from the Ramayana and Mahabharata to Thirukkural and other didactic works, echo this wisdom. Anger, while a natural human response, must be reined in. It’s unrealistic to expect that we won’t ever get angry, but when we do, we must master it—avoiding words or actions driven by fury. In the Ramayana, Rama admonishes Lakshmana to control his anger when he lashes out at Dasaratha for exiling Rama to the forest. Rama reminds Lakshmana that anger makes us forget everything and can destroy all that we hold dear. A well-known example of this is King Parikshit, who, in a fit of rage, placed a dead snake around a sage’s neck. This led to the sage’s son cursing Parikshit, sealing his fate to die from a snake’s bite. In the end, it was anger that brought about Parikshit’s downfall.
The third aphorism is ‘இயல்வதுகரவேல்’ (iyalvatukaravēl), meaning ‘Give generously.’ There are times when we may hesitate to share things that are dear to us, instinctively wanting to keep them hidden from others. But Avvaiyar advises us otherwise—never withhold from those in need. True generosity lies in giving what is precious to us. History offers many examples of kings whose generosity was boundless—like King Dilipa, Raghu, and Rama. If there’s one lesson we can learn from their life stories, it’s the virtue of giving, even when it involves personal sacrifice.
One of the most powerful examples of generosity is the story of King Shibi. When Indra and Agni, disguised as a vulture and a pigeon, entered King Shibi’s palace, the frightened pigeon sought refuge with the King, fearing the vulture. The vulture, in turn, claimed that the pigeon was his rightful prey. Faced with this dilemma, the King declared that it was his duty to protect those who sought his shelter, offering the vulture his own flesh as a substitute. Moved by this extraordinary act of selflessness, Indra and Agni revealed their true forms and blessed the King. While this story may seem extreme, the lesson is clear: give what you can willingly, without expectation of recognition or personal gain. This timeless message echoes the very essence of Vedic teachings.
The fourth aphorism is ‘ஈவதுவிலக்கேல்’ (Ivadhuvilakkel), which means ‘Do not prevent others from giving.’ Hindering someone’s generosity is considered a grave sin. A striking example of this is the story of King Mahabali. When Bali was about to grant three paces of land to Vamana, his advisor, Sukracharya, attempted to stop him, even losing an eye in the process. Despite this, Bali remained unwavering in his commitment to Dharma, earning him a boon to become Indra in the eighth Manvantara. Until then, he resides in Sutala with Lord Vishnu as his guardian. The moral? Even if we are unable to give ourselves, we should never obstruct the generosity of others.
The final aphorism I’ll highlight in this article is ‘உடையது விளம்பேல்’ (uDhaiyadhuviLambel), which translates to ‘Never disclose your plans until they succeed.’ In essence, if you possess wealth, avoid flaunting it. If you hold degrees or knowledge, resist the urge to boast. The wisdom behind this is simple: revealing too much may make you a target of envy, or worse, inspire others to take what is yours. Discretion, after all, is a form of protection.
When Hanuman crossed the ocean and was questioned by Lanka’s Adhistana devata about his purpose, he wisely chose not to reveal his true mission. Instead, he replied that he was simply admiring the beautiful land with its trees and fruit. Hanuman understood that revealing his intention to find Sita prematurely could sabotage his plans, so he kept his true purpose concealed until the time was right.
To conclude, Athichudi is filled with timeless gems of wisdom that, when embraced, can lead us to success and fulfillment. If you haven’t yet explored this remarkable work, it is well worth learning and incorporating its teachings into your life. The simple yet profound guidance offered here can spark meaningful change, leading us toward a more purposeful existence. Without a doubt, Athichudi is a must-have for anyone’s personal library.
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