War Traditions Conveyed by Tolkappiyam

தொல்காப்பியம் உணர்த்தும் போர் மரபுகள்

Abstract

Tolkappiyam stands as the grammar text of ancient Tamils, as stated by the akam grammar text called Iraiyaanaar Kalaviyial. Tamil people classified the excellence of ethics in their lives as akam (inner) and puram (outer). "Akam ethics is what occurs with people who are related - with close relatives and kinsmen." "Puram ethics is what occurs with kings, common people, and warriors." Since tiṇai means ethics, Tolkappiyar classified them as akathiṇai and purathiṇai. Further, among them, he created seven tiṇais for akam as Kurinji, Mullai, Marudham, Neidhal, Palai, Kaikkilai, and Perunthiṇai, and seven tiṇais for puram as Vetchi, Vanji, Uzhinja, Thumbai, Vaagai, Kaanchi, and Paadaan, creating them as outer to the inner.