The study of Saiva Siddhanta in rev d scriptures of Saivagamas

Abstract

Śaiva Siddhānța, one of the three prevalent schools of Śaivism at present, undoubtedly ‘a highly developed, claborate and most valuable of all the forms of religions', to quote Sir John Pope., 'is uniquely southern Tamil religion represents one of the most systematic expression of the theistic spirituality of India. The phi- losophy of Śaiva- Siddhānța is based on Vedas, Šaivāgamas as it stems also from Tēvaram, Tiruvāchakam and other Siddhānța śāstras. Though vast religious literatures have been developed in this philosophy in Tamil in latter period, but the structure of Saiva- Siddhanța doctrine is uniquely āgamic contexts. Philos- ophers' approach ever entails both the scriptural assertions and the intuitive revelation with the deepest notes of personal experience (aņubhāva), which is the philosopher's apodictic certitude (Siddhānța) with its implicit claim to universality and necessity. Scriptural revelation points to the necessity of ascending to the higher scriptural life and experience of truth as it is unveiled itself to the person concerned. The system of Śaiva-Siddhānța fulfils the both Vedāgamas as the scriptural source on the one side and the spontaneous revelation of spiritual truth on the other, are the combined factors of the philosophical doctrines of Śai- va Siddhānta. Vedās and Śaivāgamas are divine revelations again marked as specific and general for the Saiva Siddhānja mentions Vedās and Agamās as the basic scriptures of this stream of philosophy. Vedās and Agamas are of equal authority as Divine revelation. This paper is an effort to trace its important points with some of the excerpts of Śaivāagamic Texts. The philosophy of Saiva Siddhānța is not a mere system of belief and faith of great antiquity but rather "living" philosophical system in the sence that the issues it raises and discusses of like of those who are living in it, so it is as much contemporary as it is traditional culture and has its source in the revealed scriptures of Śaivāgamas.