Tirikaṭukam: Text, Transliteration and Translations in English Verse and Prose

Tirikaṭukam, one of the eighteen minor works, composed by Nallātaṉār, comprising one hundred verses that constitute the text and an invocation verse preceding the text is known for presenting three epigrams in 4-line Veṇpā metre. As the title carries the Tamil term “kaṭukam” which stands for pungent spices or stimulants along with the prefix “tiri” which means three, the work is noted for dealing with educational or ethical themes which are essential for people to be saved from moral turpitude or failings. The three commonly used pungent spices such as cukku (dry ginger), miḷaku (black pepper) and tippili (long pepper) in the ancient Tamil land as well as the present-day abodes of Tamils are known for the medicinal value and curative function. The three epigrams used in each of the verses are similar in function in saving the people from common human failings that lead them to suffer.