Of what use?!

When someone who has studied Tamil as their second language, still questions, whats the use of teaching Tirukkural to kids, I am dumbfounded!

I have always envied my friends whose second language was Tamil in school, and mine was Telugu as I had studied in Andhrapradesh till 5^th Std. (so from 6^th standard, as I cant learn a new language, I had to continue the same), I used to see them learn from the teacher who was so passionate about the language, I used to write “Tamizh” on the black board and would leave for my language classes. Once, the teacher noticed it was I who wrote and gave me an approving smile, I was so happy! I decided to learn Tamil on my own, though I haven’t learnt Cheyyul, Tirukkural. I always wanted to learn and now for teaching my kids, I learn the Tirukkural and its meaning.

I jus want to ask the people who think like my friend, of what use do we learn them:

Why do we learn Charles law, Boyles law, vector algebra, and many other concepts in school? Do we use them in life? The answer would be NO.

Tirukkural or Athichudi is a way of life. 

If we teach our kids our mother tongue, the Sanskrit slokas, there are numerous advantages. To name a few:

Kural like udukkai izhanthavan kai pola ange idukkan kalaivadham natpu : how a noble friendship should be,

Epporul yar yar vai ketpinum apporul mei porul kanbadhu arivu : keeping our ego aside, it is wise to understand the words spoken rather than who says them!

Leadership kural like, to practice what we preach

Timely help is greater than the world!

And I can go on and on..

We will realise these gems if someone translates them to English and its sold in Amazon as best seller as, "Management Mantras" , "One couplet a day", just like how our fermented rice water and turmeric milk are now crowned everywhere as the best, like our age old Yoga.

We teach our kids, values! They wont choose a wrong path if we have instilled these seeds in them.

We teach our history to our children so that they will know that the freedom we have got is only after rigorous efforts of so many people! That which is not spoken to them, explained to them, they definitely cannot value it! That is why its important to talk about history, our army, our teachers, our Mother who does so much for us without we realizing them!

Scientifically also, our brains function better if Sanskrit slokas are recited, speech becomes clear if they practice talking in Tamil and reciting Tamil verses.

Its not we are born only to earn, we are here to code! Rest of the things are futile!

We need to show our kids our treasures and say stories from Mahabarata and the Ramayana. Now, if you ask me who’s going to fight with their cousins, who has 100 cousins? My answer would be that those 100 cousins are your 100 qualities that stop you from becoming what you really can! Overcome them like the Pandavas who with Lord Krishanas help, got what they deserved, what was just and right even if it meant 14 years! To reach the pinnacle, it takes time, but the destination is assured if consistent efforts are taken! 

The thought we instill in kids, why do we need these things? And if and only if money is got in return, its useful, then we are setting a very bad example to them.

The next time, if kids ask such questions, we can ask them back, why do we collect Easter eggs, why do we celebrate Halloween, why do we celebrate Christmas even when its not our festival! Let them soak these thoughts and come out with reply.

Now, don’t judge me that I am talking like an old school and its not cool! 

When we can adapt to these celebrations just because we stay in an alien land, that too for few years, our culture is deep rooted within us and so are our values. we are even happy to let our kids study their history but not ours!

If everything is judged only with money, then the mind can never be at peace! That quiet and serenity is what we all crave for, if not now, but for sure,  in the end. Lets appreciate this and find the hidden meanings of these words.

Always, Mera Bharath mahaan!

Jaihind