Sacred Books of Saivism
The sacred books of the Saivites in Tamil consist of the two series; the one, the sacred literature called Tirumurais, and the other, the exposition of the saivite philosophy called the fourteen sastras. Begin poetry of a very high order, they are naturally more popular and authoritative than the other collection which attempts but to systematize the philosophical thought, running through this sacred literature of the hymns.
These Thimura is are twelve in number. The first seven Tirumurais are the hymns of the three great saivite saints Tirugnana Sambantar, Tirunavukkarasar and Sundarar. The eighth one is Manikkavasakar´s Thiruvasakam and Tirukkovaiyar. The ninth and eleventh Tirumurais are the collection of some saint´s works.
Thirumandiram has tenth place in the Tirumurai series which is the sacred books of saivism. But it attains first place in periodical and semantical view. It is not only stothram (hymns of Prayer) but also the Sasthram. It gives way to some of the fourteen which contains three thousand songs.
In general, Thirumantiram contains hymns to Siva but shows some ways to people for practice, and mythical conceptions, yoga and tantric rituals and major principles of Saiva Siddhanda are also seen in this work. We find medicinal information too in it.
The twelth one is Chekkilar´s Periyapuranam.
This is tenth one in the Tamil Shaivite thirumuRais (1). Of all the thirumuRais it deals extensively and explicitly with the philosophical aspects. Because of this it is called the shastra by the thirumuRai followers. This was given to us as a boon by the great yogi saint thirumUlar (2). He transmigrated from his original body to the body of a cowherd man called mUlan and composed these highly rich hymns. In these the saint has given the essence of the highly revered Shaiva tantra texts Agamas. Through his songs we get to know that there are 28 Agamas given by the God and he got through his guru 9 Agamas. The themes of these nine Agamas have been given as nine tantras in this scripture. The nine Agamas he mentions are
kAraNAgamam
kAmikAgamam
vIrAgamam
chintyAgamam
vAtulAgamam
vyAmalAgamam
kAlottarAgamam
suprbhedAgamam
makuTAgamam
This yogi sat in the shade of the peepul (arasu) tree and gave one song per annum and thus 3000 songs !
The hymns in this holy text are at places very simple to understand and at other places are really tough ones and in some other places they look very simple superficially but actually have a very cryptic deep meaning ! So this is a feast for enjoying bit by bit contemplating through its spiritual values.
These mantras are to be chanted very many times as they have great power in them, which could be used to elevate oneself spiritually. The glorious mahA mantra na maH shi vA ya is one of the Holy Five Syllables held with great esteem by the devotees of the God. If this yogic scripture itself is called thirumanthiram, it signifies the glory of this text.
This is tenth one in the Tamil Shaivite thirumuRais
(1). Of all the thirumuRais thirumanthiram deals extensively and explicitly with the philosophical aspects. Because of this thirumanthiram is called the sastra by the thirumuRai followers.
(2). In thirumanthiram the saint has given the essence of the highly revered Shaiva tantra texts Agamas. Through his songs we get to know that there are 28 Agamas given by the God and he got through his guru 9 Agamas. The themes of these nine Agamas have been given as nine tantras in this scripture. The nine Agamas he mentions are
kAraNAgamam
kAmikAgamam
vIrAgamam
chintyAgamam
vAtulAgamam
vyAmalAgamam
kAlottarAgamam
suprbhedAgamam
makuTAgamam
This yogi sat in the shade of the peepul (arasu) tree and gave one song per annum and thus 3000 songs !
The hymns in this holy text are at places very simple to understand and at other places are really tough ones and in some other places they look very simple on surface but actually have a very cryptic deep meaning ! So this is a feast for enjoying bit by bit contemplating through its spiritual values.
Thirumandiram has nine tantras and an exordium (pAyiram). The topics explained in them are given briefly here.
Exordium (Introduction – pAyiram)
To start with the saint Thirumuular hails the Lord Shiva, the Supreme. Expressing his humbleness in front of the Limitless Lord Siva, the saint discusses the glory of vedas, Agamas. He also gives an account of his past incidents, guru and also indicates the count of the hymns he composed (3000).
First Tantra
In this chapter the sage explains about the transient, not lasting characteristics of youth, body and wealth and advices adhere to the discipline and good characters. This tantra is ascribed to be the essence of kAraNa Agama.
Second Tantra
When the individual stands in such a discipline, the Grace bestowed upon by the God is described in this tantra. The purANic events like burning of three cities, blessing viShNu with disc, standing beyond the reach of braHma and viShNu are indicated in this tantra. This is said to be the essence of kAmika Agama.
Third Tantra
Holding to that Grace of God, the ways to unify the mind with the Supreme is discussed in this tantra. This tantra deals with the aShTanga Yoga, i.e. yama, niyama, Asana, prANAyAma, pratyAhAra, dhAraNa, dyAna, samAdi. The essence of vIrAgama is said to be presented here.
Fourth Tantra
The splendid mantras and their glory for the seeker who tries to get to a union with the Supreme are explained here. It describes the Holy Five Syllables (panychAkshara), six AdhAra chakras and various other chakras. This is said to deal with the essence of cintya Agama.
Fifth Tantra
The path tread by the devotees who stand receiving the unparalleled Grace of the God is explained in this chapter. This deals with the charya, kriya, yoga and GYAna disciplines. This is the essence of vAtuLa Agama, it is said.
Sixth Tantra
The maturing of the seeker by the grace of the guru and the Divine is dealt with in this tantra. The greatness of the holy forms and the Holy Ash is explained here. This tantra is said to be the essence of vyAmaLa Agama.
Seventh Tantra
The worship procedures that streamline the spring of devotion towards the God are the topics discussed in this chapter. Controlling the senses are also the topics of discussion. kAlOttara Agama’s essence is said to be this tantra.
Eighth tantra
The spiritual benefits that are obtained as one progresses this way towards the Supreme are described in this. tatvamasi its meaning, and the avastas are dealt with in this chapter. This is said to be the essence of suprabeda Agama.
Nineth Tantra
The bliss these matured souls get by the Divine Grace is told in this tantra. Various panchAksharas are described here. sUnya sambashanai is a section of cryptic deep meanings. This tantra is said to be the essence of makuTa Agama.
thiruchchiRRambalam