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Thirumandhiram
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Thirumandhiram, is a Tamil religious poetic work written in the tenth century BCE by Thirumoolar. It contains 3047 verses that deals with various aspects of ethics and praises of the Hindu God Shiva. Sekkizhar, the author of Periyapuranam, described Thirumandhiram as "Tamil Moovaayiram".
These poems by Thirumoolar are known as Thirumandhiram and are classified as the tenth of the twelve Tirumurais of Saivism. In Tirumantiram the various yogas such as Hatha Yoga, Raja Yoga, Karma Yoga, Tantra Yoga, Mantra Yoga and Daya Yoga are explained. His Saiva devotional works are based on bhakti (devotion), also known as Thothiram in Tamil, while the philosophical works are based on gnanam (knowledge), known as Sathiram.
Contents |
Thirumandhiram contains many Saiva Siddhantha (philosophical) views. It is the first Tamil work to contain the phrase Saiva Siddhantham (Saiva Philosophy). It begins with innovation to God as its preface or Payiram, which speaks of vethas, agamas etc. The first verse beginning as Onravan thane speaks of the nature of the divine.
Thirumandhiram is divided into nine chapters known as Thanthirams. The First thanthiram, upathesam expresses Shiva philosophical views and divine experience. It also has verses speaking about impermanency of the physical body, love, education etc. The second thanthiram contains verses relating to Siva's glory, His divine acts, classification of souls etc. Yoga practices and applications find place in the third thanthiram. Details dealing with manthiram, thanthiram, etc., are given in the fourth thanthiram. Various branches of Saiva religion and the four paths of chariyai etc., are given in the fifth thanthiram. The sixth thanthiram describes Siva as a teacher (guru) bestowing his grace and what the devotees need to do to receive His blessings. Various forms of Siva linga, Siva worship, and ways to control one's self, are expressed in the seventh thanthiram. The eighth thanthiram deals with the experience stages of soul. The ninth thanthiram gives details of Panchadsara manthiram, Siva's dance, state of samadhi, etc.
These poems have a unique metrical structure, with each line consisting of 11 or 12 syllables, depending upon the initial syllable. This is the earliest known exposition of Saiva Agamas in Tamil. Thirumular discusses on the four steps of spiritual progress namely, Karya, Kriya, Yoga and Gnana, the concept of Pati, Pasu and Pasa and the fourfold sadhanas, Vedanta, interprets the Upanishadic Mahavakya, Tat tvam asi (Thatthuvamasi) through the grammatical technique of Lakshanatraya. The Vedantic concept of sevenfold adjuncts (Upaadhi) of Jiva and the same number of Upadhis of Isvara, the absolute and transcendental reality as Sunya devoid of any attribute. There are portions in his treatise, identifiable as Tantrasastra, as they are rich in materials on basic principles of Shakti worship, Chakras, magic spells and their accessories.
The third section of the text is on Yoga. The ethical aspects of avoidance of vices and adoption of virtues, known as Yama and Niyama are presented with details, not found in the Sanskrit text of his contemporary, Patanjali. Details of the "Asanas", the physical postures and "Pranayama (the breathing exercises), "Pratyahara" (withdrawal of senses from going astray), "Dharana" (fixing the mind on the point), "Dhyana," (meditation) and "Samadhi" (absorption) are also expounded. He had firm conviction that the practice of Yoga would culminate in the realisation of the oneness of Atman and Brahman. He calls this method "Sivayoga".
Thirumandhiram describes the ways and means of attaining immortal body, called "Kayasiddhi". Thirumoolar advocated a theory of preserving the body so that the soul would continue its existence (Udambai valarthen uyir valarthenae). Thirumoolar was a moral philosopher. He teaches the ethics of ahimsa, abstinence from slaughtering, meat eating and drinking. He condemns coveting another man's wife. He declares that "love is God". He proclaims the unity of mankind and God. He stresses on the acquisition of knowledge through learning and listening.
The final section of the Tirumandiram named "Sunya Sambhashana" (esoteric dialogue) is full of metaphorical sayings communicating mystical and speculative thoughts, for example he illustrates "There are five cows (Indriyas) in the house of Paarppaan (Paar- to see; seer i.e. body of man) which without a cowherd (preceptor) wanders everywhere. If they were controlled and their thirst quenched, then they would give out milk (bliss)".
- Tirumantiram in Tamil Unicode format