Iṉiyavai Nāṟpatu

Iniyavai Narpathu is a Tamil poetic work of didactic nature belonging to the "Pathinenkilkanakku" anthology of Tamil literature. This belongs to the 'post Sangam period corresponding to between 100 – 500 CE. "Iniyavai Narpathu" is a collection of 40 poems written by the poet Putham Sernthanar describing the most desirable things in life. The poems of " Iniyavai Narpathu" are written in the Venpa meter.

This collection is very similar to "Inna Narpathu", which deals with the forty things one should avoid. "Inna Narpathu" includes four categories of things one should seek in life: learning even at the expense of begging, the advice of learned persons, healthy children, strength to not covet other's spouse.

"Iniyavai Narpathu", together with "Inna Narpathu" spells out in simple and succinct terms moral codes essential for daily life of the individual and for the society. They both emphasise the importance of education and individual responsibility in society.

References

* Mudaliyar, Singaravelu A., Apithana Cintamani, An encyclopaedia of Tamil Literature, (1931) - Reprinted by Asian Educational Services, New Delhi (1983)
* http://www.tamilnation.org/literature/
* http://www.tamilnation.org/literature/pathinen/pm0025.pdf "Iniyavai Narpathu" eText at Project madurai