Author: Virarajendra
A brief study on the Tamil ‘Meiyarivumudivu’ Noolkal (‘Siththaantha’ Noolkal)
of the Tamil Saiva philosopher Saints (Meiyadiyaar)
The Tamil Saiva Meiyarivumudivu (Siththaantham = Siththu[Meiyarivu] + Antham[mudivu]) Noolkal are essentially the ‘Saiva Philosophic Compositions of Tamil Nadu in poetic Tamil, on the Pathi (God), Pasu (Soul), Paasam (worldly desires) relationships - in this material world, and on the liberation of the Soul (Pasu) from Paasam (worldly desires), and on it’s attainment of glory of being with the Pathi (God) - in eternal bliss, free from any more births in this material world.
The Meiyarivumudivu Noolkal are the essence of the spiritual knowledge revealed to the “visualising senses” of four Munivars - on their intense worship of God Siva" under the shade of the Aalamaram" (Aal nilal keel) on the Mahendra mountain in South Tamil Nadu, which were composed into four premier Tamil Agamangal (Thanthira - Naan Marai) by these Munivars.
The "Kooththanool" (in Tamil) a third Sangam period (Second century A.D) - Tamil dance treatise confirms that the original “Thanthira Nan Marais” - that is the four Thanthira (Agamic) Doctrines were revealed by God Siva to the four Munivars on the Mahendra Mountain (Manthira Maamalai) as follows:
"Manthira maamalai Yanthira thavacil vadakku parithi kidakkap poam vali, naalvarkku Thanthira Naan Marai koorum Kooththanum Kooththiyum iyatriya kooththai kandaan Agaththiyan"
Kooththa Nool - by Saaththanaar, Line 8
The Saiva Agamangal (Agamas) had been the principal Doctrines (Marais) of the Tamil Saivaism from ancient times. This Agamic tradition continued for many years - even after Vedism was introduced into Tamil Nadu and practised side by side - with the Agamic 'Poosaikal', other 'Valipaadu Muraikal' and the 'Temple Rituals', nurtured by the rich cultural and fine-arts traditions of Tamil Nadu.
The subject matter of the Saiva Agamangal are divided essentially in to four groups as Sariyai, Kiriyai, Yokam and Gnanam. The re-awakening of the “Saiva Philosophic Compositions” in Tamil - essentially the 'Gnanam' section of the Agamangal, speaking on the Pathi, Pasu, Paasam relations could be seen beginning with the Meiyadiyaar Vaakeesa Munivar’s work titled as "Gnanaamirtham" of the third century A.D, written in a language closely akin to the Sangam Tamil (not Sangam period Tamil).
Thereafter only in the eleventh century A.D. we see a three generation Guru/Seedar tradition of Meiyadiyaars coming up with their Tamil Saiva philosophic compositions on the Pathi, Pasu, Pasam - relations, namely as Thiruvunthiyaar, and Thirukkalirtrupadiyaar.
Subsequently in the thirteenth century A.D, we see another four generation Guru/Seedar tradition of Meiyadiyaars coming forth with twelve other Tamil Saiva philosophic compositions on these relations, and this generation of Saints are also refered to as “Santhaana Kuravar” and their compositions as “Meikanda Noolkal” or Meikanda Saaththirangal).
All these Tamil “Saiva Meiyarivumudivu Noolkal” are basically the developments from the “Gnanam section” of the original Tamil Siva Agamangal and subsequent Sanskrit Siva Agamangal.
The following are the Tamil “Saiva Meiyarivumudivu Noolkal” (Saiva Siththaantha Noolkal) which have been composed by the Tamil Saiva Meiyadiyaar:
(1) Vaakeesa Munivar - (third century A.D) Gnanaamirtham
(2) Thiruviyalur Uiyyavantha Thevar- (eleventh century A.D) Thiruvunthiyaar
(3) Aaludai Theva Naayanaar (eleventh century A.D) - Seedar of (2)
Not known of his works
(4) Thirukkadavur Uiyyavantha Thevar - (eleventh century A.D)- Seedar of (3)
Thirukkalittrupadiyaar
(5) Meikandaar - (thirteenth century A.D)
Sivagnanapotham
(6) Arunanthi Sivaasaariyaar - - (thirteenth century A.D) - Seedar of (5)
Sivagnanasiththiyaar
Irupaa Irupahthu
(7) Manavaasakam Kadanthaar - (thirteenth century A.D) - Seedar of (5)
Unmai Vilakkam
(8) Maraignana Sampanthar - (thirteenth century A.D) - Seedar of (6)
His works not known
(9) Umaapathi Sivaasaariyaar - (thirteenth century A.D) - Seedar of (8)
Sivappirakaasam
Thiruvarutpayan
Vinaa Venbaa
Poatri Pahtrodai
Kodikkavi
Nenjuvidu Thoothu
Unmai Neri Vilakkam
Sangatpa Niraakaranam
(10) Arul Namasivaaya Moorththykal - (thirteenth century A.D) - Seedar of (9)
His works not known
Note: He instituted the Thiruvaavaduthurai Aatheenam.
(11) Gurugnanasampanthar - (sixteenth century) 9th generation Seedar of (8)
His works not known
Note: He instituted the Tharumapura Aatheenam.
The Saiva Aatheenams of Tamil Nadu are the Institutions which are preserving the living traditions of the "Tamil Saivaism", the "Tamil Thirumuraikal" and the "Tamil Saiva Meiyarivu-mudivu Noolkal” (Tamil Saiva Siththaanantha Noolkal), Tamil Periyapuraanam, and promoting their essence to the Tamil Saivite population - in Tamil Nadu and elsewhere in the world.
Note
The specific objective with which all "Saiva Aatheenams of Tamil Nadu" were instituted over years by great Seers of Tamil Nadu, are essentially to propagate and preserve the "Tamil Saivaism" based on Tamil Saiva Thirumuraikal, Tamil Saiva Meiyarivu-mudivu Noolkal (Siththaanantha Noolkal), Tamil Periyapuraanam and the worship of God in the age old Agamic Tamil Traditions and Culture of Tamil Nadu.
It should not be mixed up with the "Sanskrit - Athvaitha or Vedic traditions" by these Saiva Aatheenams under any circumstances completely destroying and defeating the very - "prime objectives" - that were intended from these ''Saiva Aatheenams" at the time of their formation.
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This Thread will be further developed with additional informations and corrections where necessary by the Author
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