The Universal "A" – Thiruvalluvar’s Timeless Wisdom

Over 2,500 years ago, the legendary Tamil saint-poet Thiruvalluvar blessed humanity with the 'Thirukkural,' a masterpiece of ethical and philosophical teachings. 

The 'Thirukkural' has stood the test of time and remains one of the most translated works in Tamil literature. Thiruvalluvar is often revered as 'Poyyilpulavar', meaning “one whose words are infallible,” and the truth in his teachings continues to resonate universally.

The first couplet of the Thirukkural is particularly intriguing. When translated, it reads: 

“A is the first of all letters, as God is the beginning of the world.”

This idea—that "A" is both a literal and symbolic beginning—can be seen in many linguistic systems, making the first couplet not just a reflection of Tamil wisdom but also a universal insight.

In Tamil, the first letter of the alphabet is அ (pronounced "A"), making this statement true for the Tamil language. But this concept extends beyond Tamil. Remarkably, many languages around the world also begin with the letter A, or at least have a similar foundational sound or meaning at the start of their alphabets.

In most of these languages, the letter "A" or its variant stands as the first letter. This fascinating fact gives even more weight to the first verse of the Thirukkural, demonstrating its resonance with the linguistic structure of human expression across time and culture.

A Glimpse into Major World Languages