Thirukkural's Wisdom on Parenting: Raising Virtuous and Wise Children

Introduction

Thirukkural, a profoundly influential work from Ancient Tamil literature, provides timeless guidance on the essence of parenting. These ancient teachings, penned by the legendary poet/writer Tiruvalluvar, remain as relevant today as they were when first written over 5000 years ago. As parents, we can find invaluable insights in Thirukkural on how to raise virtuous and wise children who contribute positively to society.

Thirukkural on Parenting

Nurturing Virtue

No harm will befall in all seven births If one raises virtuous children with irreproachable character. This quote emphasizes the importance of fostering an unwavering moral compass in our children. By instilling virtues such as honesty, compassion, and integrity from an early age, we lay the foundation for a life of positive contributions to society.

Children are called ones fortune And children must make their fortune from their own deeds. Here, Thirukkural stresses the value of parental support in nurturing individual initiative. Parents play a critical role in fostering a child's confidence and self-reliance, enabling them to shape their own destiny through their actions and choices.

The duty of a Father towards his children is to give them a headstart in knowledge over the best of scholars. This sets a high bar for parental involvement, challenging us to provide not just material resources but also intellectual and moral guidance.

Raising children of wisdom brings joy to all lifes on earth. This highlights the joy and satisfaction that comes from watching your child grow to become a wise and responsible individual. The journey of parenting is profoundly rewarding when we see our children thrive and contribute positively to society.

A woman rejoices at the birth of a child But even more when he is praised as a virtuous scholar. This depicts a mother's pride when her child grows to be an accomplished individual. It underscores the importance of academic and moral accomplishments, thereby guiding us to balance both in our parenting.

Duties and Obligations

The child's duty to his father is to make world ask By what austerities did he merit such a child. This highlights the reciprocal nature of the parent-child relationship, emphasizing that the child must bring honor and pride to the family through their actions and accomplishments.

Lastly the child must have self-accountability to bring pride to the family not shame… Encouraging self-accountability underscores the importance of personal responsibility and integrity.

Parenting Insights from Thirukkural

Thirukkural offers us these golden thoughts on parenting:

If your children lie to you often it is because you over-react too harshly to their inappropriate behavior. If your children are not taught to confide in you about their mistakes you’ve lost them. If your children had poor self-esteem it is because you advise them more than you encourage them. If your children do not stand up for themselves it is because from a young age you have disciplined them regularly in public. If your children take things that do not belong to them it is because when you buy them things you don’t let them chose what they want. If your children are cowardly it is because you help them too quickly. If your children do not respect other people's feelings it is because instead of speaking you order and command them. If your children are too quick to anger it is because you give too much attention to misbehaviour and you give little attention to good behaviour. If your children are excessively jealous it is because you congratulate them only when they successfully complete something not when they improve at something even if they don’t successfully complete it. If your children intentionally disturb you it is because you are not physically affectionate enough. If your children are openly defiant it is because you openly threaten to do something but don’t follow through. If your children are secretive it is because they are sure that you would blow things out of proportion. If your children back-answer to you it is because they watch you do it to others and think it’s normal behavior. If your children don’t listen to you but listen to others it is because you are too quick to jump to conclusions. If your children rebel it is because they know you care more about what others think than what is right.

These insights offer practical guidance on common parenting challenges, helping us understand the root causes and potential solutions for better nurturing our children.

Conclusion

Ultimately, Thirukkural provides a wealth of wisdom on parenting. As parents, we must strive to raise children with virtue and wisdom, ensuring they grow into individuals capable of making positive contributions to society. By adopting the lessons from Thirukkural, we can become better parents and ensure a brighter future for our children and the generations to come.