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[ArumugaNavalar]

உ
SIVAMAYAM
THIRUCHITRAMBALAM


Saiva Vinna Vidai



Sri Arumuga Navalar

Nature of God


1. Who is God of the world?

Shivaperuman

2. Of what nature is Shivaperuman?

He is eternal, omnipresent, beginninglessly taintless, omniscient, doer of everything, always blissful and independent.

3. What are the meanings of the Tamil words "Nithiyar" etc?

"Nithiyar" = eternal

"Saruvaviyaapakar"= omnipresent

"Anaathimalamuththar" = by nature without "paasa" or taint

"Saruvaggnar" = omniscient

"Saruvakarththaa" = doer of everything

"Niththiyaananthar" = always blissful

"Suvathanthirar" = independent

4. What are the activities of Shivaperuman?

They are five, namely, creation, maintenance, destruction, veiling and bestowal of grace.

5. Does Shivaperuman perform these five activities for the sake of Himself or for the sake of others?

Not for His sake; but for the sake of others who are the souls

[ArumugaNavalar]

6. Who is Creation?

The manifesting of bodies, instruments, the universe and objects of experience from the material cause.

7. What is maintenance?

Supporting and sustenance of the bodies, instruments, the universe and objects of experience.

8. What is destruction?

The involution of bodies, instruments, the universe, and objects of experience into the material cause.

9. What is veiling?

Plunging of the souls in the objects of experience which are the effects of the two kinds of karmic actions.
(The two are good actions and bad actions).

10. What is bestowal of grace?
Emancipation of the souls from the bonds (paasam), and manifestation of Siva to them.

Edited by ArumugaNavalar, 13 April 2010 - 02:16 PM.

[ArumugaNavalar]

11. What are thanu, karanam, puvanam and poham?
Thanu = body; karanam = instruments like the mind; puvanam = the universe which is the support of the body; poham = objects of experience.



12. How many causes are there for an effect?

There are three, namely, material cause, instrumental cause and efficient cause. The (clay) earth is the material cause, the (potter's) wheel is the instrumental cause, and the potter is the efficient cause, of the effect which is the pot.

13. What are the material cause, instrumental cause, and efficient cause of the effect which is the manifested universe called bodies, instruments, the universe, and objects of experience?

The material causes are three, namely, pure maya, impure maya, and prakriti; the instrumental cause is the Sakthi of Siva and the efficient cause is Shivaperuman

14. What is the Sakthi of Shiva?

The Power of Shiva which is inseperable from Shiva like the heat of fire which is inseperable from fire.

15. What are the bodies attributed to Shiva?

They are three, namely something which has no form, something which has form and no form, and something which has form.

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16. What names are given to Shivaperuman when He has these three types of Divine Bodies?

When He has no form He is given the name Sivan, when He has a body which has form and no form He is given the name Sathaasivan, and when He has a body which has a form He is given the name Mahesvaran.

17. Is the body of Shivaperuman like the body of us souls?

The body of the souls is made up of constituents like skins, bones, etc., according to their two karmas (good karma and bad karma). But the body of Shivaperuman is made up of divine qualities which are His Power and which for the purposes of meditation and puja by the souls are treated as if they are parts of a body.

18. Does Shivaperumaan Himself perform the five activities?

In pure maya He Himself performs the five activities. In impure maya He abiding in Anathesurar performs. He (Shivaperuman) abiding in Shrikanda Rudra through that Ananthesuarar perfroms the five activities in prakriti. Shrikanda Rudra abiding in Brahma performs Creation, abiding in Vishnu performs maintenance, and abiding in Kaala Rudra performs destruction. ["Athiddiththal"= abiding in and performing]

19. Of what sort more is Shrikanda Rudra?

He is the divine teacher who makes known the Saiva Agamas. He is the Lord who bestows punishments and grace on the Devas like Brahma and Vishnu, on the rishis and on those like the 63 saints. He is the Diety who is worshipped by those persons who have entered the Saiva religion and obtained "Samaya Deeksha" (Samaya Deeksha = initiation of a person into the Saiva religion by a guru who with appropriate ceremonies communicates Shri Panchaakshara which is the five lettered mantra of Shiva to that person.)


20. What are the names of the Sakthis of the five called Brahma, Vishnu, Rudra, Mahesvaran and Sathaasivan?

The sakthi of Brahma is Sarasvathy; the sakthi of Vishnu is Lakshmi; the sakthi of Rudra is Umai; the sakthi of Mahesvaran is Mahesvari and the sakthi of Sathaasivan is Manonmani.

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21. What is the Sathaasiva figure to which puja and worship are performed by souls?

It is the figure made up of a raised seat ("peeda") and the symbol of Siva(Lingam). It is a figure showing the equilibrium of Power (Sakthi) and Intelligence (Siva).

22. What is the meaning of Lingam?

Making the world by Creation, maintenance, etc. (Lingam = making)

23. How many Mahesvara forms are there?

There are twenty-five, namely, Chandrasegarar, Umamahesar, Rishapaaroodar, Sabaapathy, Kalyaanasuntharar, Bikshaadanar, Kaamaari, Kaalaari, Thiripuraari, Salantharaari, Maathankaari, Veerapaththirar, Hariyarththar, Arththanaaresvarar, Kiraathar, Kankaalar, Sandesaanukkirahar, Neelakandar, Chakkrappirathar, Gajamuhaanukkirakar, Somaaskanthar, Ehapaathar, Suhaaseenar, Thakshinaamoorthy, Lingotpavar.

Thiruchchittampalam.

[ArumugaNavalar]

Nature of Soul

24. Who are the souls?

They are who are eternal, pervasive, intelligent, bound by the bonds (paasam), of the nature of that to which they are attached, different in each body, perform karma and reap the fruits of Karma, have little knowledge and perform small deeds and have the Supreme Lord over themselves. ["Chethanam" = intelligent being]

25. Of how many types are the bodies which the souls take?

They are of two types, namely, gross body and subtle body.

26. What is the gross body?

A body with a shape formed by the combination and change of form of the five "elements", namely, earth, water, fire, air and space and may be esteemed according to caste, family and descent. ["Parinamiththal" = Change of form]


27. What is a subtle body?

It is a formless body made of eight constituents: they are the five "Thanmaaththirai" (Subtle elements), namely sound touch, sight, taste and smell and three "anthakkarana" (inner instruement), namely, "manam" (mind), "buddhi" (intelligence), and "ahankaaram" (ego). The subtle bodies are different for different souls. They are instrumental for the souls to undergo experiences. They enable the souls to leave their (gross) bodies at death and take new (gross) bodies.

28. How do souls suffer by undergoing births and deaths?

By taking births and dying as befitting their good actions and bad actions in the four classes of births in the seven categories of beings and in the 8,400,000 species the souls suffer.

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29. What are the four classes of births?

They are birth from eggs, birth from perspiration, germination from roots, etc., and birth from womb.

30. What are the seven categories of beings?

They are Devas, human beings, animals, birds, creepers other than vegetation, fishes and others that live in water, and trees and plants. The first six out of these seven categories are beings that can move. The last category of trees and plants are stationary beings.

31. What are born out of wombs?

Devas, human beings and four-legged animals.

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32. What are born out of eggs?

Birds, creepers other than vegetation, and fishes and other beings which live in water.

33. What are born out of perspiration?

Some creepers like worms, maggots and some birds, winged insects like locusts.

34. What are born out of seeds, roots, branches and creeping plants?

Trees and plants.

35. What are the 8,400,000 species?

1. Devas ....... 1,100,000 species

2. Human beings ....... 900,000 species

3. Four-legged animals ....... 1,000,000 species

4. Birds ....... 1,000,000 species

5. Creepers other than vegetation ....... 1,500,000 species

6. Fishes, and other beings that live in water ....... 1,000,000 species

7. Trees and plants ....... 1,900,000 species

Total ........ 8,400,000 species

36. What is the place where souls can perform karma (actions) and reap the effects of their actions?

The place where the two types of action (good and bad) can be performed and the two types of effects can be experienced is the earth. The places where the effects of the good deeds can be experienced are heaven and the higher worlds. The places where the effects of the evil deeds can be experienced are the 2,800,000,000 hells.


37. What will the souls which have taken birth on earth do immediately after leaving their gross bodies?

The souls which had done good deeds will, immediately after leaving their gross bodies, proceed with their subtle bodies taking on the bodies as Devas and reach heaven and enjoy the effects of their good deeds. The souls which had committed evil deeds will, immediately after they leave their gross bodies, proceed with their subtle bodies taking on bodies capable of suffering in hell and reach hell and experience the sufferings which are the result of their evil deeds. Besides these, some souls, immediately after leaving their gross bodies, enter places of reproduction on earth and take new material bodies.

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38. What will the souls which have enjoyed pleasures in heaven do afterwards?
Because they have balances of the effects which they had not yet experienced of their actions they will take birth as human beings on earth.

39. What will the souls which have experienced suffering in hell do afterwards?
Because they have balances of the effects which they have not yet experienced of their actions they will return to earth and they will take birth first as trees and plants, thereafter as fishes and other beings that live in water, thereafter as creepers other than vegetation, thereafter as birds, thereafter as animals and then when the effect of their previous good deeds matures they will be born as human beings.

40. Which is the precious category of birth out of the seven categories?
Birth as a human being is the most precious category because such a birth is the means for understanding and worship of Shivaperuman who is the Lord of the souls and thereby attaining "moksha". (moksha = union of a soul with God).

41. When will the souls which have taken birth as human beings attain that moksha?
They, step by step, according to their fitness, will in each birth rise in the outer religions like Buddhism and perform the meritorious deeds as laid down in the Scriptures of their religions. Thereafter they will reach the Vedic path and perform the meritorious actions as laid down in theVedas. Thereafter because of the increase of merit thereby they will reach the Saiva religion. To those souls who after reaching the Saiva religion perform, according to the rules and with true devotion, service to and worship at temples, rituals, and meditation, as ordained in the Saiva Agamas Shivaperuman abiding in a guru who could impart divine wisdom (jnana) will come and bestow divine wisdom and thereby bestow moksha.

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42. Who will give results to persons who act according to outer religions?
Shivaperuman Himself abiding through His Sakthi in the Godhead intended and worshipped by the followers of the outer religion will consider their worship and give them benefits due to them.
(Outer religions = religions which do not accept the authority of the Vedas).

43. What is "sariyai"?
It is worship of Shiva through service to Saiva temples and to Siva's devotees.

44. What is "kiriyai"?
It is worship of Shiva mentally and externally.

45. What is "yoga"?
It is controlling the mind from thinking of worldly matters but to meditate on Siva, and thereafter losing consciousness of the meditator himself and meditation and being aware of Siva only who is the subject matter of the meditation.

46. What is "jnana"?
It is to study the spiritual books which teach the properties of God, souls and the bonds (paasam), reflect over them, understand them and become fixed in the mind in ascetic worship of God..

47. What are the benefits to be derived from sariyai, kiriyai, yoga?

The benefits from "sariyai" is "Sivasaalokiyam", i.e., entering the special heaven of Siva called "Sivaloham". The benefit from "kiriyai" is "Sivasaameeppiyam", i.e., attaining proximity to Siva in "Sivaloham". The benefit from yoga is "Sivasaaroopam", i.e., acquiring the very form of Shiva. These three are inferior states of "moksha" (liberation). The benefit from jnana is supreme liberation called "Sivasaayujya", i.e., become united with Shiva.

Thiruchchittampalam.

[ArumugaNavalar]

Nature of the Bonds (Paasam)

48. What are "paasam" (bonds)?
They are what bind the souls. ["Paasam" and "malam" mean the same thing].

49. How many types of bonds are there?
These are three types, namely, "aanavam", karma and maya. The bonds are also taken to be five by adding "maayeyam" and "thirothaayi" to those three. ("aanavam" = egoity).

50. What is "aanavam" (egoity)?
It is attached to the souls beginninglessly like verdigiris to copper. It is one but is separate in each soul. It obstructs the intelligence and actions of the soul and possesses many powers that cease at the end of their allotted time. It is inert.

51. What are the karmas?
These are the "punniyam" (merits) and the "paavam" (sins) which are the effects of the souls of the actions of the souls by their minds, by their speech, and by their bodies. During the life time of the birth in which the actions are done they are called by the name "aakhaamiyam". When the karmas which are "earned" in this manner from birth to birth get attached to "buddhi tattva" (intelligence) and remain in maya till they mature they are called by the name "chachitham". When the matured karmas out of the "chanchitha" karmas produce effects by giving the body that is thereafter taken (by the soul) and the pleasures and sorrows that are experienced through that body they (the matured karmas) are called by the name "praaraptham".

52. How many types of maya are there:
It is of three types, namely, pure maya, impure maya and prakriti maya. Out of these, the two called pure maya and impure maya are permanent. Prakriti maya is impermanent because it appeared out impure maya.

53. What is pure maya?
It is eternal, pervasive, formless and inert, and is the material cause of the forms of words and pure substances and does not cause delusion.

54. What is impure maya?
It is eternal, pervasive, formless, and inert, and is the resting place during "pralaya" (the general destruction of the universe) of the karmas of the souls and is the material cause for the manifesting of the bodies, instruments, universe and objects of experience, which are a mixture of pure and impure matter and which are also impure matter, for the souls, and also cause delusion.

55. What are "mayeyam"?
They are the "tattva" (properties of maya) and their products which are the bodies, instruments, universe and objects of experience.

Edited by ArumugaNavalar, 11 June 2012 - 08:10 AM.

[ArumugaNavalar]

[ArumugaNavalar]

56. What is "Thirothaayi"?

It is "Sivasakthi" (Power of Shiva) which activates and makes mature the three malams called "aanavam", karma, and maya. "Thirothaayi" is referred to as a "malam" as a matter of courtesy because it activates "malam". ("Malam" = impurity; and impurity binds the soul).

57. For what purpose does Shivaperuman give the souls the products of maya which are the bodies, instruments, universe and objects of experience?

The purpose is to eradicate the diseases which are called "aanavam" and karma which bind the souls and to bestow on the souls the great acquisition of the bliss of Siva.

58. Are not the bodies and instruments also impurities? Is not "malam" impurity? How can the impurity "aanavam" be removed by the impurity "maya"?

A dhoby applies cowdung and Fuller's earth to a new piece of cloth and makes it very black and thereafter removes the pre-existent dirt and the added dirt and makes the piece of cloth very white. In the same way Shivaperumaan adds the impurity maya to the soul and removes the beginningless bond which is the impurity "aanavam" and the orginally added bond which is the impurity maya and thereby makes that soul have a supreme life of the nature of Shiva.

Thiruchchittampalam.

[ArumugaNavalar]

Nature of the Vedas and Agamas

59. What are the first Scriptures graciously revealed by Shivaperumaan for the sake of the souls?

They are of two categories, namely, Vedas and Saiva Agamas. Vedas are also known by the names "suruthi" and "nikaman". Agamas are also known by the names tantra, mantra and siddhanta.

60. How many Vedas are there?

These are four, namely, Rig, Yajur, Saama and Atharvam.

61. How many Saiva Agamas are there?

There are twenty-eight, namely, Kaamikam, Yokajam, Chinthiyam, Kaaranam, Asitham, Theeptham, Sookumam, Chakachchiram, Anchumaan, Suprapetham, Visayam, Nichchuvaasam, Suvaayampuvam, Aakineyam, Veeram, Rauravam, Makudam, Vimalam, Chanthirajnaanam, Muhavimpam, Purotkeetham, Lalitham, Chiththam, Santhaanam, Sarvoktham, Paaramesuram, Kiranam, and Vaathulam.

62. Where did the four Vedas orginate?

The Rig Veda orginated from the "Thatpurusha" face of the Sathaasiva form of Siva, the Yajur Veda from the "Akhora" face, Saama Veda from the "Vaamadeva" face and Atharva Veda from the "Sathiyosaatha" face.

63. Where did the twenty-eight Saiva Agamas originate?

They originated from "Eassana" face which is the upward face of the Sathaasiva form of Shiva.

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64. How many "saahai" (sub-divisions) are there in the four Vedas?

Rig Vedas has twenty-one "saahais", Yajur Veda has one hundred "saahai", Saama Veda has one thousand "saahais", and Atharva Veda has nine "saahais".

65. How many "kaandams" (divisions) are there in each of the Vedas?

Each has two "kaandams", namely, Brahma-kaandam and karma-kaandam. The Brahma-kaandam has also the names Pirapalasuruthi, Vedanta, Vedasirasu, Upansihad. Karmakaandam has also the name Atpasuruthi.

66. What books are "anga" (branches) of the Vedas?

They are six, namely, sidshai, katpam, viyaakaranam, niruththam, santhovisithi and jyothisha.

67. What is Sidshai?

It informs about the phonetics of reciting the Vedas with appropriate intonations, aspirations, etc.

68. What is Katpam?

It informs about the ways in which the rites laid down in the Vedas should be observed.

69. What is Viyaakaranam?

It informs about the grammar and philology in the Vedas.

70. What is Niruththam?

It informs about the meaning of the words in the Vedas.

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71. What is Snthovishithi?

It informs about the names of the meters of the Veda mantras like Gayathri and their letters.

72. What is Jyothisha?

It informs about the special times for performing the rites laid down in the Vedas

73. What are the books which are the "upa-anga" (sub-branches) of the Vedas?

They are four, namely, Purana, Nyaya, Meemamsa, and Miruti.

74. What is Purana?

It informs by emphasising and explaining the meaning of the Vedic utterances which state about the creation and destruction, etc., of the world by the great Shiva. Because they speak of five matters, namely, the creation of the world, its involution, traditions, the periods of reign of each Manu and traditional stories the Purana is also called "panchalakkam". Ithihaasa is also included in Purana.

75. What is Nyaya?

It informs about the rules which are helpful to determine the meaning of the Vedas.

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76. What is Meemamsa?

It investigates and informs the reasons to understand the precise meaning of the Vedas. It is of two types, namely, Purva Meemamsa and Uttara Meemamsa. Purva Meemamsa has also the name Karma Meemamsa. Uttara Meemamsa has also the names Brahma Meemamsa and Vedanta Sutra.

77. What is Miruti?

It informs of the rules for the various castes and for the various stages of life.

78. What are the Upa-Vedas?

They are four, namely, Ayur Veda, Dhanur Veda, Gaandharva Veda, and Artha Veda.

79. What is Ayur Veda?

It informs about what are necessary to maintain without disease the body which is the means to perform everything.

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80. What is Dhanur Veda?

It informs about the training necessary in arms to protect the country so that it may not yield to enemies.

81. What is Gaandharva Veda?

It informs about the music, etc., which please God.

82. What is Artha Veda?


It informs about the manner of earning wealth which will be helpful in this world and in the next world.

83. How many "paathams" (parts) has each of the twenty-eight Saiva Agamas?

Each has four parts, namely, Jnana-paatham, Yoga-paatham, Kiriyaa-paatham, and Sariyaa-paatham.

84. What are the "vazhi nool" (books derived from, agreeing with, and enlarging upon) for the Saiva Agamas?

They are the two hundred and seven Upa Agamas starting from "Naarasingam" and ending with "Visivaanmakam". "Naarasingam" has also the name "Mrigendram".

85. What are the "saarpu nool" (books which follow and are collateral to) for the Saiva Agamas?

They are the Ashta Prakarnam, namely, Tattvaprakaasikai, Tattvasangraham, Tattvatraya Nirnayam, Bogakaarikai, Mokshakaarikai, Naadhakaarikai, Paramoksha Niraasa Kaarikai and Ratnatrayam, etc.

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86. Who are entitled to recite the Vedas?

Persons of the first three castes, namely, Brahmins, Kshatriyas, and Vaishyas, who have been invested with the sacred cord at the ceremony of upanayana.

87. To what are the Sudras and the women of the four castes entitled?

They are entitled to recite the ithikaasa and the purana and to listen to the meaning of the Vedas.

88. Who are entitled to recite the Saiva Agamas?

Persons of the four castes who have obtained the vishesha deeksha are entitled to recite the rituals part of the Saiva Agamas. Persons of the four castes who have obtained the nirvana deeksha are entitled to recite the jnana part of the Saiva Agamas.

89. What rituals are appropriate to be performed by the first three castes starting from Brahmins?

A person (of those three castes) who has obtained the upanayana is entitled to perform the Vedic rituals only but if he has obtained Siva deeksha in addition to upanayana he is entitled to perform both Vedic rituals and Agamic rituals. If he does not perform Agamic rituals there is not even a little benefit from the Siva deeksha he has obtained.

90. What rituals are appropriate to be performed by Sudras, etc?

Perfomance of Agamic rituals is appropriate to those Sudras and anulomas who have obtained Siva deeksha. Rituals with euolgies to God ending with the word "nama" but without the Branava are appropriate to be performed by those Sudras, etc. who have not obtained Siva deeksha. (An anuloma is a person whose father belonged to one of the first three castes but whose mother belonged to a caste lower than that of the father).

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91. What are the Tamil Vedas which inform the meaning as it is of the jnana part of the Vedas without being contrary to the Saiva Agamas?

They are two, namely, Thevaram and Thiruvaachakam.

92. Who were the gracious authors of Thevaaram?

They are three, namely, Thirugnaanasambanthamoorthy Naayanaar, Thirunaavukkarasu Naayanaar, and Suntharamoorthy Naayanaar.

93. Who was the gracious author of Thiruvaachakam?

Maanickavaasaka Swamigal.

94. How are these four starting with Thirugnanasambanthamoorthy Naayanar called?

They are called "Saiva Samaya Kuravar" (Saiva religious preceptors).

95. What are the Siddhanta Shastras in Tamil which summarise and explain well the jnana part of the Saiva Agamas?

They are fourteen, namely, Thiru-unthiyaar, Thirukkalittuppadiyaar, Sivagnana Botham, Sivagnaanasiddhiyaar, Irupaa-Irupathu, Unmai Vilakkam, Sivapprakaasam, Thiru-Arudpayan, Vinaavenpaa, Poattippahrodai, Kodikkavi, Nenchuviduthoothu, Unmaineri Vilakkam, and Sankatpa Niraakaranam.

96. Who was the gracious author of Thiru-unthiyaar?

Uyyavanthatheva Naayanaar.

97. Who was the gracious author of Thirukkalittuppadiyaar?

Uyyavanthatheva Naayanaar of Thirukkadavoor. He was the disciple of Aaludaiyatheva Naayanaar of Thiruviyaloor who was the disciple of Uyyavanthatheva Naayanaar who graciously wrote Thiru-unthiyaar.

98. Who was the gracious author of Sivagnana Botham?

Meikanda Thevar of Thiruvennay Nallur. His name as an infant was Suvathavanapperumaal. (Meikandaar means a person who has realised the truth).

99. Who was the gracious author of Sivagnaanasiddhiyaar and Irupaa-Irupathu?

Arulnandi Sivacariar, who was conferred the descriptive appellation Sakalaagama Pandit, of Thiruththuraiyoor. He ws the chief of the forty-nine disciples of Meikanda Thevar. (Sakala-agama Pandit means a person who has mastered all the agamas).

100. Who was the gracious author of Unmai Vilakkam?

Manavaasakamkadanthaar of Thiruvathikai. He was one of the disciples of Meikanda Thevar.

101. Who was the gracious author of the remaining eight books commencing from Sivapraakaasam?

Umaapathi Sivacariar of Kottavankudi. He was one of the Brahmins who resided in Thillai (Chidambaram). He was a disciple of Maraignaanasambantha Sivacariar of Thiruppennaakadam who was the disciple of Arulnandi Sivacariar.

102. How are Meikanda Thevar, Arulnandi Sivacariar, Maraignaanasambantha Sivacariar and Upaapathi Sivacariar described?

They are called "Santhaana Kuravar" of Thiru-Kailaasa disciplic lineage (Lineage Preceptors).

103. Who was the spiritual guru of Meikanda Thevar?

He was a great rishi by the name of Paranjothi who graciously came in a celestial aerial chariot from the holy Mount Kailaas.

104. Who was the spiritual guru of the great rishi Paranjothi?

Satya Jnana Dharsinigal. (This Sanskrit name means a person who has realised the truth).

105. Who was the spiritual guru of Satya Jnana Dharsinigal?

The great rishi Sanatkumaara.

106. Who was the spiritual guru of the great rishi Sanatkumaara?

Thiru-Nandi Thevar. (He is the guardian of the entrance to Shiva's special abode in Mount Kailaas).

107. Who was the spiritual guru of Thiru-Nandi Thevar?

Shrikanda Parama Sivan. (He is Siva Himself).

Thiruchchittampalam