ORIGIN AND DEVELOPMENT
Saivam, or Saivism as called by the English educated, considers Siva as its primary God. It is an ancient religion not founded by any prophet or saint.
Saivam as practiced today can be divided into three sectarian religions. They are Kashmir Saivam in the North, Vira Saivam in the middle and Siddhanta Saivam (locally referred to as Saivam) in the South of India. With minor differences in their philosophies and practices, the basic concepts remain the same in all these branches.
The Siddhanta Saivam is prevailing not only in South India, but also in Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore and other countries where Tamils are living. The philosophy of this religion is Saiva Siddhanta.
Origin of Saivism
Origin of Saivism dates back to the pre-historic period. For a long time it was thought that Saivism developed during the Vedic period. The Mohenjadaro-Harappa excavation of the twentieth century gives clear indication of Siva worship and Saiva religion in existence before the Vedic period. They also suggest the also of Dravidian origin. Following statement of the scholar Sir John Marshall acknowledgesthis view:
Among the many revelations that Mohenjadaro and Harappa have in store for us, none perhaps is more remarkable than this discovery that Saivism has a history going back to the chalcolithic age or perhaps even further still, and that it takes place on the most ancient living faith in the world.
Another Western scholar G.U. Pope in his work Thiruvasagam writes as follows:
Saivism is the oldest prehistorian religion of South India, essentially existing from pre-Aryan times.
Of the four Dravidian languages spoken now, Tamil is the oldest and richest language. The term Dravidian can, therefore, without any hesitation, be taken to mean Tamilnadu of South India.
Veda and Agama
Veda and Agama are collection of works formed as independent classes of literature over centuries before the Christian era.
It is generally believed that Vedic period started with the advent of Aryans to the North of India. Scholars defer in their opinion, giving Vedic period as 3000 B.C. to 1500(P.T. Srinivasa Iyengar), 1200 B.C. to 600 B.C. (R.D. Banarji), etc.,.
Early Aryans feared natural calamities such as rain and thunder. They deified the related aspects of nature as Varuna, Indra etc., and prayed them for safety. These prayers were in the form of appealing and making offerings to the deities. The related words and rituals formed the basis of early vedic literature.
The later Vedic thoughts are collectively called Upanishad. Because it formed at the end period (antha) of the Veda, it is called Vedanta. The word Veda includes all Vedic thoughts including Vedanta. Unlike in the earlier works, philosophical thoughts are seen more in the Vedanta.
The period of Agama is also not clearly established. The antiguity of Agamas, according to scholars, dates back to Vedas or even before them. Vedanta Sutram of Badarayanar and Saitiparva of Mahabaratha are early works which carry references to it.
Agama speaks of various aspects of religion, such as rituals, temple design, temple worship, etc., Each religion has its own Agama. Agama of Saiva religion is called Saiva Agama. Saivam has twenty eight primary Agamas and two hundred and seven subsidiary Agamas called Upa-agamas. Most of these are not in existence now. Many Vedic views are inconsistent and contradictory, and not acceptable to Saiva forth. However Veda forms the earliest human thoughts where roots of many Indian religions, including Saivism, are seen.
Agama is relatively more precise and form the bedrock of rituals and philosophy of Saivism. Because of this, Agama is held at high esteem and Veda is given a second place is Saiva religion. St. Thirumoolar, in his thirumanthiram, says that Veda is of general significance and Agama is of special significance to Saivam. Saiva siddhanta philosophy is referred to as Agamanta (end or conclusion of Agamas).
Saivism in Tamil Land
Tholkappoyam is the earliest work on Tamil grammar, available now. General opinion among scholars is that it belongs to pre-Christian era. Some of the gramatical expressions and verbal usages such as uyir, mei, vinai etc, are identical with and expressive of Tholkappiam, such usage of words and identification with Saiva philosophical thoughts could not have been possible.
References to Saiva religion and its doctrine are found in the Sangam literature. The epics of Silappathikaram and Manimekalai, though propagating Jain and Buddhist faiths, speak of various aspects of Saivism. Manimekali and Paripadal are early Tamil leterature where Siva is portrayed in His eights forms called Attamurtham.
The book Thirukkural is a great contribution of the Tamils to the world. Many of its couplets reflect Saiva doctrines and its philosophy. Contents and verbal usage of this book had gone into the later literary and religious works. Thought Thirukkural reflects the views of various religions, all its views are not acceptable to this religion. In the case of Saiva religion, no view contrary to its concepts is found in Thirukkural.
Saiva Renaissance
During the period from third to sixth century, Tamil land was ruled by some invaders from the North of India, called Kalabrars whose culture, religion and language were alien to the Tamils.
Historical record relating to this period is not clear. Culture of the Tamils was disintegrating during this period. This was consider as the dark period in the history of the Tamils.
With the blessing of the rulers, the religion of Jainism was spreading fast. Tamil language and Saiva religion were going into oblivion. By divine grace, as if to arrest this declinning trend, the Tamil land saw the advent of Saiva Saints called Nayanmars. They, by their intense devotion to Lord Siva and their outpouring of devotional hymns in Tamil, restored the linguistic, religious and cultural heritage of the Tamils. They instilled courage and self respect in the Tamil minds. St. Thirugnanasambandar called himself as Thamizh Ganansambanthan and his versa as Sambandhan Thamizh , St. Thirunavukkarasar said " we are not a subject race to anyone ". St. Manickavasagar said " I will not look up even to the ruler of the land ". They showed that the spirit of Saivite Tamils is to develop love of their language, religion and culture and to live with self-respect, courage, dignity and honour.
The four Saiva Nayanmars called Samaya Kuravar by their devotional hymns of Thevarams and thiruvasagam did things impossible. They cured the incurable, gave life to the deceased and performed many miracles. They demonstrated the power of God's name. Thiruneeru the sacred ash and Panchadsara manithiram.
These Saiva Nayanmars, showed the path of devotion or bhakthi as an easy way for God realisation. They are the apostles of Saiva religion to be known and venerated by every Saivite.
Saiva philosophy
The philosophy of Saiva religion is Saiva Siddhantam. Siddhantam means the ultimate truth. Elements of Siddhanta philosophy are seen scattered in Vedas, particularly the Vedantas, Agamas, early Tamil works and devotional hymns of Nayanmars. Saint Meikandar of the 13th century codified these philosophical thoughts in his work Sivagnanabodham. This work is considered as the primary text of Saiva Siddhanta philosophy.
Fourteen Saiva Siddhanta Works including Sivagnanabodham, are called Meykanda Sastras which are the anthoritative books of Saiva Siddhanta philosophy. Two of these works belong to the earlier period than that of Sivagnabodham.
Saiva Siddhanta posits three entities as eternal. They are Pathi or God, Pasu ro Soul and Pasam or Bondage (maerials of bondage). God is one and Souls are many. Pasam consists of anavam, kanmam (karma) and mayai (maya).
Saiva Siddhanta philosophy explain the nature of these entities, their relationship and the way to liberation. It is praised by scholars as a perfect system of human thought, peculiar to the Tamil land.
The Saiva Philosophy is the choicest product of the Dravidian intellect. It is the most elaborate, influential and undoubtedly the most intrisically valuable of all religions of India. It is peculiarly the South Indian and Tamil Religion. - (Dr.G.U. Pope)