Civā in Pope’s opinion was Pre-Aryan and different from Rudra. With the mingling and diffusion of cultures (Dravidian and Aryan) the many legends attributed to Rudra were transferred to Civa and they are associated with him in the modern Caiva system.¹⁶³ A similar view about the different identities of the two was held by Dr. Ananda Coomaraswamy in his book “Dance of Siva”.

Pope gives a novel interpretation for “Untiyār” (a Shuttle Cock).¹⁶⁴ This lyric of “Untiyār” narrates the five victories of Civā. The legends embedded in these triumphs are recounted by Pope.¹⁶⁵ The “Kācikkāṇṭam”, Pope remarks is of Sanskrit origin. It is didactic poem of a more elevated character than its original Skandapurāṇam.

Māṇikkavācakar’s dislike of the Buddhists conception is revealed according to Pope in “the Refuge Decad.”¹⁶⁶ His poems are moulded to bring out in bold relief, the differences between his philosophy and the Buddhist.

“The Decad of Grace”, Pope says is “very sweet.” He shows that the last line of each stanza contains a Telugu phrase which when translated reads, “What is there to fear? Fear not.” Another important feature of the Caiva Cittāntā doctrine is that it “gives to life and suffering a real significance.”¹⁶⁷

The contraposition of the Caiva and Buddhist doctrines is shown.

Under the “Decad of the Bruised Heart” Pope writes, “It would be hard to find a more touching expression of absolute mystic self-renunciation than these verses contains.”¹⁶⁸

163. P.T. P. 152

164. Ibid. P. 175

165. Ibid. Pp. 175-178

166. Ibid. P. 231

167. Ibid. P. 254

168. Ibid. P. 273