Lesson - 1

A01121 PERIAPURANAM - AN INTRODUCTION

Periyapuranam is a work that deals with the lives of Saivite saints. It is also called Thiruthondar Puranam. Scholars consider Cilappathikaram and Periapuranam as the two great classics in Tamil. Periyapuranam describes the lives of the Saivite saints who lived during the 6^th or 7^th centuries between the rule of the Pallavas and the later Cholas.

Periapuranam was written by Sekkizhar. He was born in Kuntrathoor. From his youth, Sekkizhar was a great devotee of Lord Siva. He was appointed as a minister by the Chola King. However, Sekkizhar was dismayed by the fact that the King was drawn towards Jainism and its literature. Hence he composed the Periapuranam on his basis of Thiruthondar Thiruvandaadhi and Thiruthondathogai, to enable the king to realize the greatness of the Saivite saints.

Sekkizhar went to Chidambaram, and composed the Periapurnam, the first words of which Ulaku Elaam (உலகு எலாம்) were uttered by Lord Siva Himself. A unique feature of Periapuranam is that it was written in the 12^th century - nearly seven centuries after the first Tamil classic, Cilappathikaaram. Secondly, classics written earlier, dealt with wonders of Gods and Goddesses. But Periapuranam is the first classic to deal with the lives of saints.

Periapuranam rendered great service to society, by uniting the various castes in the worship of Lord Siva. It was also responsible for the installation of the idols of the 63 Nayanmars in all the temples of Lord Siva.

This lesson has taught you all about Periapuranam, its author Sekkizhar, and its importance in the service of Saivism and society in general.