p20215 Lesson 5 Saathiram

The philosophical tenets of Saivism are expounded in treatises collectively known as ‘Saathira Noolgal’ or ‘Meykanda Saathiram’. They are ‘Thiruvunthiyaar’, ‘Thirukalittruppadiyaar’, ‘Sivagnana Bodham’, ‘Sivagnana Sidhiyaar’, ‘Irupa Irupakthu’, ‘Unmai Vilakkam’, ‘Sivaprakaasam’, ‘Thiruvarutpayan’, ‘Vinavenba’, ‘Pottri Pattrodai’, ‘Kodikkavi’, ‘Nenjuvidu Thuthu’, ‘Unmeineri Vilakkam’ and ‘Sangarpa Niraagaranam’. These are based on the 28 Aagamas and the Thirumuraigal. ‘Sivagnana Bodham’ written by Meykandaar is regarded as the most significant saiva philosophical treatise. Hence the 12 treatises are named ‘Meykanda Saathiram’ after Meykandaar.

Written in the 11th century A.D., ‘Thiruvunthiyaar’ and ‘Thirukkalittruppadiyaar’ explain the doctrines of saivism through the lives of sivanadiyaars. Thiruvunthiyaar was written by Thiruviyalur Uiyya Vanda Thevar. ‘Thirukalittruppadiyaar’ was composed by Thirukkadavur Uiyya Vanda Thevar and is based on ‘Thiruvunthiyaar’. It includes commentaries on ‘Thiruvunthiyaar’. These two treatises offer only a broad perspective of saiva philosophy.

‘Sivagnana Bodham’ written by Meykandaar who lived during the 13th century was the first work to set down the philosophical tenets of saivism in a systematic and comprehensive manner. Hailed as the most important saiva saathira text, ‘Sivagnana Bodham’ enunciates the concepts of ‘pathi’, ‘pasu’ and ‘pasam’ very clearly. It consists of 12 aphorisms referred to as the saiva sutras.

‘Sivagnana Sidhiyaar’ and ‘Irupa Irupakthu’ were written by Arunandi Sivachariyar, the disciple of Meykandar. ‘Sivagnana Sidhiyaar’ comprises 2 parts- Parapakkam and Subakkam. Parapakkam which has 301 verses speaks of the irrelevance of the philosophical doctrines of Buddhism, Jainism and other religions. Subakkam is a commentary on the 12 aphorisms of ‘Sivagnana Bodham’ and has 328 verses. ‘Irupa Irupakthu’ celebrates the glorious life of Meykandar. This treatise seeks to explain the essence of saiva philosophy through questions and answers. The author poses questions to his preceptor who clarifies his doubts.

‘Unmai Vilakkam’ was written by Manavasagam Kadanthar, another disciple of Meykandar. Written in 53 venbas, this treatise is simple in style. It follows the structure of questions and answers too.

Umapathi Sivachariyar, the disciple of Marai Gnanasambandar, made significant contributions to Saivism. He authored 8 philosophical treatises. They are ‘Sivaprakaasam’, ‘Thiruvarutpayan’, ‘Vinavenba’, ‘Pottri Pakkrodai’, ‘Kodikavi’, ‘Nenjuvidu Thuthu’, ‘Unmeineri Vilakkam’ and ‘Sangarpa Niraagaranam’. Of these ‘Sivaprakaasam’ is based on ‘Sivagnana Bodham’ while the other seven are minor texts that enunciate the principles of Saiva Siddantam.