திருமந்திரம் (Thirumanthiram)

Thirumanthiram (திருமந்திரம்) is a 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. Tirumantiram's literal meaning is "Holy incantation". The Tirumanthiram 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. The work covers almost every feature of the siddhar cult of the tamils and stresses on the fundamentals of Siddha medicine and its healing powers. It deals with a wide array of subjects including astronomy and physical culture. In short, the Tirumanthiram, strongly emphasizes on Love is God, (அன்பே சிவம்).

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

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.

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, etc.

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