TAMIL
Canonical work
R.GOPALAKRISHNAN
THIRUVACHAKAM: Published by Socio-religious Guild, 21, Fifth Cross Street, Maharaja Nagar, Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu-627011.
THIRUVACHAKAM IS included in the Thirumurai literature ( Saiva canon) as the 8th one which is the revelation of Saint Manickavachakar. The peak, unique and ineffable experiences which are mystical in nature have been documented in it for the sake of posterity. There are a number of elucidations in Tamil and translations in English.
The unique features of this edition are: the original Tamil text is followed by the simplified Tamil version without changing the meaning; transliteration is also provided, explanatory notes is given for every verse in Tamil, and in English and towards the end critical notes and comparative accounts are mentioned.
The first volume contains the original text and the explanatory comment. The second volume especially contains the life portrayal of the saint, the stories narrated in the text, the fundamental truth of the text, various names of Lord Siva as found in the text, indices, historical illustrations. Sivajnana Bodham also finds a place with Tamil and English explanations besides the life-portrayal of Meikandar, the author. The editor probably might have thought that the devotional literature must have developed into a philosophical treatise or the former would culminate in the latter.
The immense volumes will certainly be beneficial even to the common man. The editor deserves appreciation for this scholarly service.
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