THE BASICS OF SAIVA SITHAANTHAM by Guru Strini Govender

Saiva Sithaantham refers to the complete and final truth of philosophical and spiritual pursuit. We believe in one supreme God,who is Siva.

There are 63 Saiva Saints.

·There are 4 Devotional Gurus :

• Thirugnanasambandhar

• Thirunaavukkarasar

• Sundararmoorthi Swamigal

• Maanickkavaachakar

And 4 Philosophical Gurus

• Meykandaar

• Arulnandhi Sivam

• Maraijnana Sambandhar

• Umapathi Sivam

The Thirumuraigal refers to holy texts that have been arranged in an orderly manner.It is highly revered and used in worshipping Sivaperuman.

Saiva Sithaantham holds the view of three eternal realities ·Pathi- God Siva ·Pasu-Soul ·Paasam-Bondage.

Paasam-Bondage consists of 3 impurities such as Aanavam-Egoism, Karmam-Action,

Maayai-matter.

The soul is bound by the three impurities and needs to purify itself through the process of birth and death until it becomes spiritually mature to receive the grace of God Siva.

There are four pathways one could follow for the attainment of liberation,that being freedom from the cycle of birth and death.

Chariyai Maargam- one could involve themselves in the maintenance of the temple,through cleaning and beautifying the temple,offering of Flowers,feeding of the people etc.God Siva is seen as the master and the soul the servant.

Kiriyai Maargam- The devotee is to sing and glorify God Siva With Love and devotion as well as ensuring the activities of the Temple are successfully organized and completed.God Siva is seen as the Father/Mother and the soul the son/daughter.

Yoga Maargam- The soul undertakes to purify itself through moral living, breath control practices,meditation and self control.God Siva and Soul have a relation of friendship.

Gnana Maargam- The soul through the path of knowledge enjoys the everlasting bliss of Siva and intuitively knows everything through the grace of Sivaperuman.God Siva is regarded as the Guru and the soul the disciple.

"You are Ichaasakthi, Kriyaasakthi, Yogasakthi, Jnaanasakthi, since you perform divine plays, Aum Namasivaya - You are the saviour! - Sri Siva Soobramonia Guru Swamigal