TIRUMANTIRATTIL UPATĒCAM [PREACHINGS IN THIRUMANDIRAM

Abstract

Thirumoolar has written Thirumandiram under 9 Tantras based on 9 agamas. (It is said that there were originally 28 agamas and only 9 were taught to Tirumular by his Guru) First 4 tantrams of Tirumandiram explains Aram, Porul, Inbham and Veedu (together known as Nan-marai - Tamil vedam) The other portion describe the way of worship, based on the agamas. It is enough if we remember that Agamas and Tamil vedas are known as Arumarai explaining the philosophy. Those explaining the way of worship and also praising that Supreme Power are Tirumurai. Tirumandiram is both Arumarai and Tirumurai. Herein an attempt has been made to understand the contents of a few of the verses of that great work: Pathy-Pasu-Pasam is the crux of Saivite philosophy. Pathy represents the Supreme, Pasu represents the Jeeva and Pasam represents ego, karmam and maya. Pathy is anadhy i.e. beginingless and also eternal. Pasu and Pasam have also no beginning but they have an end in the sense that ultimately, they become one with Pathy. Ego is the cause of birth. This study tries to attempt the Preaching of Thirumantra. Library research was done and explanatory method was adopted for this study. Findings of this study was having taken birth one should meditate Panchaksharam thereby he attains the stage of Sivayogi. "Chetthiruppar Sivayogiargal" - they are with the physical body, apparently dead. They (Sivayogiargal) outlive non-understanding and mis-understanding (avaranam and vikshepam) and ego (sense of I and mine) They are awake in the apparent sleep.