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The Tirumantiram (Tamil: திருமந்திரம்) or Thirumantiram is a Tamil poetic work, written either in the 2nd century BCE and 4th century CE by Tirumular. It is the tenth of the twelve volumes of the Tirumurai, the key texts of Shaiva Siddhanta and the first known Tamil work to use the term. The Tirumantiram is the earliest known exposition of the Shaiva Agamas in Tamil. It consists of over three thousand verses dealing with various aspects of spirituality, ethics and praise of Shiva. But it is more spiritual than religious and one can see the difference between Vedanta and Siddhanta from Tirumular's interpretation of the Mahavakyas.^[1]^[2] According to historian Venkatraman, the work covers almost every feature of the siddhar of the Tamils. According to another historian, Madhavan, the work stresses on the fundamentals of Siddha medicine and its healing powers.^[3] It deals with a wide array of subjects including astronomy and physical culture.^[4]

Etymology

Tirumantiram's literal meaning is "sacred mantra" or "holy incantation."^[5]

Content

Om symbol Tirumurai Om symbol in Tamil
The twelve volumes of Tamil Śaiva hymns of the sixty-three Nayanars
Parts	Name	Author
1,2,3	Thirukadaikkappu	Sambandar
4,5,6	Thevaram	Thirunavukkarasar
7	Thirupaatu	Sundarar
8	Thiruvasakam & Thirukkovaiyar	Manickavasagar
9	Thiruvisaippa & Tiruppallaandu	Various
10	Thirumandhiram	Thirumular
11	Various
12	Periya Puranam	Sekkizhar
Paadal Petra Sthalam
Paadal Petra Sthalam
Rajaraja I
Nambiyandar Nambi

The Tirumantiram is divided into nine chapters, 9 tantras (tantirams):

1. Philosophical views and divine experience, impermanency of the physical body, love, education etc.
2. Shiva's glory, His divine acts, classification of souls etc.
3. Yoga practices according to the eight-angled way of Patanjali. Also refers to Vasi Yoga
4. Mantra, tantra, etc.
5. Various branches of Saiva religion; the four elements of Shaiva Siddhanta.
6. Shiva as guru bestowing grace and the devotee's responsibility.
7. Shiva linga, Shiva worship, self-control.
8. The stages of soul experience.
9. Panchadsara manthiram, Shiva's dance, the state of samadhi.

The poems have a unique metrical structure, each line consisting of 11 or 12 syllables depending on the initial syllable. Tirumular discusses the four steps of spiritual progress; Charya, Kriya, Yoga and Gnana, the Shaiva Siddhanta concept of Pati, Pasu and Pasa where Pati stands for Shiva, Pasu stands for the humankind and Pasa stands for Maya (the desire), sadhana, Vedanta, the Upanishadic Tat tvam asi and other Vedantic concepts, the transcendental reality as emptiness (Sunya) devoid of any attribute and Tantrasastra (Shakti worship), chakras, magic spells and their accessories.^{[citation needed]}

The section on Yoga, called "Shiva yoga", offers details not found in the Sanskrit text of Patanjali. The Tirumantiram describes means of attaining an immortal body (kaya siddhi), advocating a theory of preserving the body so that the soul would continue its existence (Udambai valarthen uyir valarthenae).^{[citation needed]}

Tirumular is not only one of the 63 Nayanmars (Nayanars) but also a significant one among the 18 Siddhars. Tirumular has been referred to as "Nampiran" (meaning: nam-Our, piran-God, thus thirumular has been called as a leader or god to all the remaining Nayanars) by Sundarar in his thiru thondar thogai (the earliest song which mentions the names of 63 Nayanars). Tirumular as a moral philosopher teaches the ethics of non-violence (ahimsa), abstinence from slaughtering, meat and alcohol. He condemns coveting another man's wife. He declares that "love is God", proclaims the unity of mankind and God and stresses the acquisition of knowledge.^{[citation needed]}

The final section of the Tirumantiram, named Sunya Sambhashana ("Colloquy on the Void"), is full of metaphorical sayings communicating mystical and speculative thoughts, for example;

பார்ப்பான் அகத்திலே பாற்பசு ஐந்துண்டு
மேய்பாருமின்றி வெறித்து திரிவன
மேய்ப்பாரும் உண்டாய் வெறியும் அடங்கினால்
பார்ப்பான் பசுஅய்ந்தும் பாலாய்ச் சொரியுமே Tirumantiram 2883.

"There are 5 wandering cows, without a cowherd and impossible to milk them"
But if a cowherd, controls all five (cows), then it's possible to milk the 5 cows.

References

^ The Encyclopaedia Of Indian Literature (Volume Two) (Devraj To Jyoti), Volume 2, page 1625
^ Saivism in Philosophical Perspective, page 31
^ A Short Introduction: The Tamil Siddhas and the Siddha Medicine of Tamil Nadu, page 7
^ A dictionary of Indian literature, Volume 1, page 393
^ "tirumantiram".

Sources

A Short Introduction: The Tamil Siddhas and the Siddha Medicine of Tamil Nadu By Marion Zimmermann
The Encyclopaedia Of Indian Literature (Volume Five (Sasay To Zorgot), Volume 5 By Mohan Lal
The Encyclopaedia Of Indian Literature (Volume Two) (Devraj To Jyoti), Volume 2 By Amaresh Datta
Saivism in Philosophical Perspective: A Study of the Formative Concepts, Problems and Methods of Saiva Siddhanta By K. Sivaraman
A dictionary of Indian literature, Volume 1 By Sujit Mukherjee
The Tirumandiram, ISBN 9781895383614 (set of 10 volumes) English translation with commentary, 2010, T.N. Ganapathy et al.
The Yoga of Tirumular: Essays on the Tirumandiram, by T.N. Ganapathy and K.R. Arumugam, ISBN 9781895383218

External links

Tirumantiram in English, translated by Dr. B. Natarajan
Tirumantiram in Tamil Unicode format: Tirumantiram
Shavism Homepage
Thirumandhiram
Thirumandiram information by Marshall Govindan
The Tirumandiram in English and Tamil with verse by verse commentary, in 10 volumes, by T.N. Ganapathy et al

[The_Encyclopaedia_Of_Indian_Literature_(Volume_Two)_(Devraj_To_Jyoti),_Volume_2,_page_1625-1] The Encyclopaedia Of Indian Literature (Volume Two) (Devraj To Jyoti), Volume 2, page 1625

[Saivism_in_Philosophical_Perspective,_page_31-2] Saivism in Philosophical Perspective, page 31

[A_Short_Introduction:_The_Tamil_Siddhas_and_the_Siddha_Medicine_of_Tamil_Nadu,_page_7-3] A Short Introduction: The Tamil Siddhas and the Siddha Medicine of Tamil Nadu, page 7

[A_dictionary_of_Indian_literature,_Volume_1,_page_393-4] A dictionary of Indian literature, Volume 1, page 393

[5] "tirumantiram".

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{Short description|Tamil Hindu work of literature}}
 {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2016}}
-{{Use Indian English|date=October 2016}}
+{{Use Indian English|date=October 2016}}{{italic title}}
-{{italic title}}
+{{Saivism}}
-The '''''Thirumantiram''''' is a [[Tamil language|Tamil]] poetic work written in the fifth century by [[Thirumular]] and is the tenth of the twelve volumes of the ''Tirumurai'', the key texts of [[Shaiva Siddhanta]] and the first known Tamil work to use the term. The ''Tirumantiram'' is the earliest known exposition of the Shaiva [[Āgama (Hinduism)|Agamas]] in Tamil. It consists of over three thousand verses dealing with various aspects of spirituality, ethics and praise of [[Shiva]]. But it is more spiritual than religious and one can see the difference between [[Vedanta]] and [[Siddhanta]] from Tirumular's interpretation of the [[Mahāvākyas|Mahavakyas]].<ref name="The Encyclopaedia Of Indian Literature (Volume Two) (Devraj To Jyoti), Volume 2, page 1625">''The Encyclopaedia Of Indian Literature'' (Volume Two) (Devraj To Jyoti), Volume 2, page 1625</ref><ref name="Saivism in Philosophical Perspective, page 31">''Saivism in Philosophical Perspective'', page 31</ref> According to historian Venkatraman, the work covers almost every feature of the [[siddhar]] cult of the [[Tamils]]. According to another historian, Madhavan, the work stresses on the fundamentals of [[Siddha medicine]] and its healing powers.<ref name="A Short Introduction: The Tamil Siddhas and the Siddha Medicine of Tamil Nadu, page 7">''A Short Introduction: The Tamil Siddhas and the Siddha Medicine of Tamil Nadu'', page 7</ref> It deals with a wide array of subjects including astronomy and physical culture.<ref name="A dictionary of Indian literature, Volume 1, page 393">''A dictionary of Indian literature'', Volume 1, page 393</ref>
+The '''''Tirumantiram''''' ({{Lang-ta|திருமந்திரம்}}) or '''''Thirumantiram''''' is a [[Tamil language|Tamil]] poetic work, written either in the 2nd century BCE and 4th century CE by [[Tirumular]]. It is the tenth of the twelve volumes of the ''Tirumurai'', the key texts of [[Shaiva Siddhanta]] and the first known Tamil work to use the term. The ''Tirumantiram'' is the earliest known exposition of the Shaiva [[Āgama (Hinduism)|Agamas]] in Tamil. It consists of over three thousand verses dealing with various aspects of spirituality, ethics and praise of [[Shiva]]. But it is more spiritual than religious and one can see the difference between [[Vedanta]] and [[Siddhanta]] from Tirumular's interpretation of the [[Mahāvākyas|Mahavakyas]].<ref name="The Encyclopaedia Of Indian Literature (Volume Two) (Devraj To Jyoti), Volume 2, page 1625">''The Encyclopaedia Of Indian Literature'' (Volume Two) (Devraj To Jyoti), Volume 2, page 1625</ref><ref name="Saivism in Philosophical Perspective, page 31">''Saivism in Philosophical Perspective'', page 31</ref> According to historian Venkatraman, the work covers almost every feature of the [[siddhar]] of the [[Tamils]]. According to another historian, Madhavan, the work stresses on the fundamentals of [[Siddha medicine]] and its healing powers.<ref name="A Short Introduction: The Tamil Siddhas and the Siddha Medicine of Tamil Nadu, page 7">''A Short Introduction: The Tamil Siddhas and the Siddha Medicine of Tamil Nadu'', page 7</ref> It deals with a wide array of subjects including astronomy and physical culture.<ref name="A dictionary of Indian literature, Volume 1, page 393">''A dictionary of Indian literature'', Volume 1, page 393</ref>
-==Analysis==
+== Etymology ==
+Tirumantiram's literal meaning is "sacred mantra" or "holy incantation."<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date= |title=tirumantiram |url=https://www.himalayanacademy.com/view/tirumantiram |access-date= |website=}}</ref>
-{{Thirumurai}}
+==Content==
-In short, the ''Tirumandiram'', strongly emphasizes on ''Love is God'', (Anbey Sivam).<ref name="The Encyclopaedia Of Indian Literature (Volume Five (Sasay To Zorgot), Volume 5, page 3954">''The Encyclopaedia Of Indian Literature (Volume Five (Sasay To Zorgot), Volume 5, page 3954''</ref>
+{{Thirumurai}}
-The ''Tirumantiram'' is divided into nine chapters, 9 tantras ''(tantirams)'';
+The ''Tirumantiram'' is divided into nine chapters, 9 tantras ({{transl|ta|tantirams}}):
 * 1. Philosophical views and divine experience, impermanency of the physical body, love, education etc.
 * 2. Shiva's glory, His divine acts, classification of souls etc.
-* 3. [[Yoga]] practices according to the eight-angled way of Patanjali.
+* 3. [[Yoga]] practices according to the eight-angled way of Patanjali. Also refers to [[Vaasi Yoga|Vasi Yoga]]
 * 4. [[Mantra]], [[tantra]], etc.
 * 5. Various branches of Saiva religion; the four elements of [[Shaiva Siddhanta]].
 * 6. Shiva as ''guru'' bestowing grace and the devotee's responsibility.
 * 7. Shiva [[linga]], Shiva worship, self-control.
-* 8. The stages of soul experience .
+* 8. The stages of soul experience.
-* 9. ''Panchadsara manthiram'', Shiva's dance, the state of samadhi, etc.
+* 9. ''Panchadsara manthiram'', Shiva's dance, the state of samadhi.
-The poems have a unique metrical structure, each line consisting of 11 or 12 syllables depending on the initial syllable.  Tirumular discusses the four steps of spiritual progress; ''Charya'', ''[[Kriya]]'', ''[[Yoga]]'' and ''Gnana'', the [[Shaiva Siddhanta]] concept of ''Pati'', ''Pasu'' and ''Pasa'' where Pati stands for Lord shiva, Pasu stands for the human kind and Pasa stands for Maya (the desire), ''sadhana'', ''[[Vedanta]]'', the [[Upanishad]]ic ''[[Tat tvam asi]]'' and other [[Vedantic]] concepts, the transcendental reality as  emptiness ''([[Sunya]])'' devoid of any attribute and ''Tantrasastra'' ([[Shakti]] worship),  ''[[chakras]]'', magic spells and their accessories.
+The poems have a unique metrical structure, each line consisting of 11 or 12 syllables depending on the initial syllable.  Tirumular discusses the four steps of spiritual progress; ''Charya'', ''[[Kriya]]'', ''[[Yoga]]'' and ''Gnana'', the [[Shaiva Siddhanta]] concept of ''Pati'', ''Pasu'' and ''Pasa'' where Pati stands for Shiva, Pasu stands for the humankind and Pasa stands for Maya (the desire), ''sadhana'', ''[[Vedanta]]'', the [[Upanishad]]ic ''[[Tat tvam asi]]'' and other [[Vedantic]] concepts, the transcendental reality as  emptiness ''([[Sunya]])'' devoid of any attribute and ''Tantrasastra'' ([[Shakti]] worship), ''[[chakras]]'', magic spells and their accessories.{{cn|date=July 2022}}
-The section on [[Yoga]], called "Shiva yoga", offers details not found in the [[Sanskrit]] text of [[Patanjali]]. The ''Tirumantiram'' describes means of attaining an immortal body ''(kaya siddhi)'', advocating a theory of preserving the body so that the soul would continue its existence (''Udambai valarthen uyir valarthenae'').
+The section on [[Yoga]], called "Shiva yoga", offers details not found in the [[Sanskrit]] text of [[Patanjali]]. The ''Tirumantiram'' describes means of attaining an immortal body ''(kaya siddhi)'', advocating a theory of preserving the body so that the soul would continue its existence ({{transl|ta|Udambai valarthen uyir valarthenae}}).{{cn|date=July 2022}}
-Tirumular is not only one of the 63 Nayanmars ([[Nayanars]]) but also a significant one among the 18 Siddhars. Tirumular has been referred to as "Nampiran" (meaning: nam-Our, piran-God, thus thirumular has been called as a leader or god to all the remaining nayanars) by [[Sundarar]] in his thiru thondar thogai (the earliest song which mentions the names of 63 nayanars). Tirumular as a moral philosopher teaches the ethics of non-violence ([[ahimsa]]), abstinence from slaughtering, meat and alcohol. He condemns coveting another man's wife. He declares that "love is God", proclaims the unity of mankind and God and stresses the acquisition of knowledge.
+Tirumular is not only one of the 63 Nayanmars ([[Nayanars]]) but also a significant one among the 18 Siddhars. Tirumular has been referred to as "Nampiran" (meaning: nam-Our, piran-God, thus thirumular has been called as a leader or god to all the remaining Nayanars) by [[Sundarar]] in his thiru thondar thogai (the earliest song which mentions the names of 63 Nayanars). Tirumular as a moral philosopher teaches the ethics of non-violence ([[ahimsa]]), abstinence from slaughtering, meat and alcohol. He condemns coveting another man's wife. He declares that "love is God", proclaims the unity of mankind and God and stresses the acquisition of knowledge.{{cn|date=July 2022}}
 The final section of the Tirumantiram, named ''Sunya Sambhashana'' ("Colloquy on the Void"), is full of metaphorical sayings communicating mystical and speculative thoughts, for example;
@@ Line 34: / Line 36: @@
 பார்ப்பான் பசுஅய்ந்தும் பாலாய்ச் சொரியுமே Tirumantiram 2883.}}
 |
+"There are 5 wandering cows, without a cowherd and impossible to milk them"
-"WANDERING COWS,WITHOUT COWHERD"
+But if a cowherd, controls all five (cows), then it's possible to milk the 5 cows.
-Body elements are five:
-Body senses are five:
-Consciousness are five, Body consciousness, prana consciousness, mind consciousness, knowledge consciousness, and spiritual consciousness
-But if cowherd, inner Nanthi கமழ்கின்ற நந்தி controls all five, then Manna dew overflow..
 }}
-That's the superficial meaning. There is another meaning which should be understood.
-st Line: Says that in a seer's house there are five cows (Pancha budha's). The second word 'Agathiley' means, not inside the house; but inside a person (Agam-inside; Puram-outside) the house is compared to a person here. The five 'cows' are the five "pulans" the five "senses" (sensory organs and its functions:- Eyes - Vision,Reflexes - Feel/Touch, Ears - Hear, Tongue - Taste & Nose - Smell). So within a person exists the five senses.
-nd Line: There is no cattleman to control the animal. Because there is nobody (or nothing) to control them, they just roam "uncontrollably", here the five senses untamed, lead us to temptations! The five senses are untamed and roam uncontrollably. The five senses untamed is no less than a ferocious animal
-rd Line: If you know 'how to control' and if the 'rage' settles down,
-th Line: When the cows are tended by a cattleman all those five 'cows' will yield milk. Here the verses say that if all the five senses are controlled by a person it help one to get the "thiruvarul" which means "divine grace" (The five pulans are meant to be controlled to realise God) This is the actual meaning of the song.
-If the five 'pulans' control us it means it is untamed whereas if we control the five senses it means it is tamed. If these 'cows' are controlled then they yield 'milk'. Or if one can control the  five 'pulans'/ 'senses', then that will lead one to God's Anuboodhi (being with God).
 ==See also==
@@ Line 60: / Line 45: @@
 * [[Tirumular]]
 * [[Agastyar]]
-*[[Thirumanthiram with meaning in tamil]] http://www.tamilvu.org/library/l4100/html/l41A0ind.htm
-*[[Cosmic Secrets and Akashic Records; CSAR]] http://www.tirumular.com/index.php/news/details/publications/dnopjtdq
-==Notes==
+==References==
 {{reflist}}
-==References==
+==Sources==
 * A Short Introduction: The Tamil Siddhas and the Siddha Medicine of Tamil Nadu By Marion Zimmermann
 * The Encyclopaedia Of Indian Literature (Volume Five (Sasay To Zorgot), Volume 5 By Mohan Lal
@@ Line 77: / Line 60: @@
 == External links ==
 *[http://www.himalayanacademy.com/resources/books/tirumantiram/TableOfContents.html Tirumantiram in English], translated by Dr. B. Natarajan
-* Tirumantiram in Tamil [[Unicode]] format: [http://tamil2friends.com/%E0%AE%A8%E0%AF%82%E0%AE%B2%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%B3%E0%AF%8D/%E0%AE%A4%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%AE%E0%AE%A8%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%A4%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B0%E0%AE%AE%E0%AF%8D Tirumantiram ]
+* Tirumantiram in Tamil [[Unicode]] format: [https://web.archive.org/web/20081226160259/http://www.tamil2friends.com/%E0%AE%A8%E0%AF%82%E0%AE%B2%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%B3%E0%AF%8D/%E0%AE%A4%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%AE%E0%AE%A8%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%A4%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B0%E0%AE%AE%E0%AF%8D Tirumantiram]
-* [https://web.archive.org/web/20040711082741/http://www.tamil.net/projectmadurai/ Project Madurai Homepage]
+* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110131181654/http://www.shaivism.org/ Shavism Homepage]
-* [http://www.shaivism.org Shavism Homepage]
-* [http://rprabhucbe.tripod.com Thirumandhiram and Others]
 * [https://web.archive.org/web/20091026192610/http://geocities.com/rprabhu_gac/ Thirumandhiram]
-* [http://www.thirumandiram.net/ Thirumandiram information by [[Marshall Govindan]]]
+* [http://www.thirumandiram.net/ Thirumandiram information] by [[Marshall Govindan]]
 * [http://www.thirumandiram.net/ The Tirumandiram in English and Tamil with verse by verse commentary, in 10 volumes, by T.N. Ganapathy et al]
 [[Category:Tamil-language literature]]
 [[Category:Texts related to Nayanar saints]]
+[[Category:Tamil Hindu literature]]