The Periya Puranam is a part of the large corpus of Shaiva canonical works. It was compiled by Sekkizhar, who was both poet and the Chief Minister in the court of the Chola King Kulothunga II or AnabhayaCholan. The king himself was a staunch devotee of Lord Nataraja at Chidambaram As minister Sekkizhar had complete access to information on the lives of the Shaivite saints or Nayanmars. Sekkizhar used the data and put together the Perlya Puranam. The epic was written in the Thousand Pillared Hall of the Chidambaram temple. Sekkizhar proved to be the best choice, as he was noted for his literary expressions and neutrality while interpreting sayings. His devotion to Lord Shiva and the 63 Nayanmars, was unparalleled and unquestionable. This book is a prose version of the lives of the 63 saints. It is a wonderful source for Tamilians & non Tamilians alike seeking to know more about Shaivite saints & the meaning of devotion.

The Periya Puranam is considered so great a work. that the introduction was supposedly given by Lord Shiva himself. Called "Ullagellam, it goes as follows:

"It is nectar that will give you the immortal love, drink it It is a perennial river of love that will make the lands of your mind fertile, irrigate with it

It is an ocean that will get you pearl heaps of coveted qualities, dwell in it

It is a sharp sword that will cut off the bonds to make you feel the bliss of freedom, hold it strong

It is a teacher that tells morals of life; make yourself a rock of discipline

It is a historical information resource: develop your knowledge with that (Shivamayam)."

This book is a labour of love and we hope the English translation fills you with positive vibrations and an rstanding of the greatness of Lord Shiva.

V.V.S. Manian has had an extremely successful and unique career in the fields of marketing Communication, Journalism and Teaching. He started off as Project and Chief Marketing Manager, Modern Bakeries Ltd., New Delhi, He travelled the length and breadth of India He moved from public sector to advertising and media and has worked at leading organizations like WS Industries and Efficient Publicities.

He has worked as a freelance journalist and photographer for The Mail, Madras (Chennai). He contributed. regularly to The Hindu, Deccan Herald, Bhavan's Journal and Trinity Mirror. He was the founder editor of two weeklies, Blue streak and Janamitran. He currently runs the Asian News and Features Syndicate, Chennai VVS. Manian was also the Hony, Principal for the evening college, Bhavan's Rajaji College of Communication and Management, Chennai and taught Marketing and Journalism for nearly three decades.

VVS Manian also served as Asst to Hony Consul for Canada and Pondicherry from 1992 to 2003. He has undergone specialised training for Honorary Consul conducted by the Department of Foreign Affairs Canada. As a writer, he has over 1000 articles to his credit on topics like politics, health and religion. He has interpreted and translated slokas like Abhirami Andadhi, Shiva Sahasranamam, Vishnu sahasaranamam, Soundarya Lahari, Bhaja Govindam and Neethi Sathagam. He has written several books, including the Dictionary on Journalism and Mass Communication, Architectural and Sculptural Beauty of Kapali Temple and Prayers for Prosperity (E book). Manian holds a Masters Degree in Business Administration from PSG College of Technology and BA from PSG Arts College, Coimbatore and a post graduate diploma in Public Relations and Journalism from Rajendra Prasad Institute of Communication Studies in Mumbai. He has also done online courses from Oxford. Columbia, Harvard and Berklee Universities, USA.

Mr. Manian has travelled widely. He is also actively involved in politics and is currently with the BJP.

Mrs. Nartana Karthikeyan, the co-author is a distinguished academician with al Doctorate in Educational Psychology, an MPhil in Abnormal Psychology and Behavioral Research, and Masters. degrees in General Psychology. English, Education Management and Bharatanatyam (Classical dance). She also holds an MBA in Education Management. Nartana runs a Bharatanatyam school in Chennai, with the aim of promoting historical themes and the moral values espoused in Hindu epics. Her dance performances are noted for their brilliance and have won much acclaim. Apart from being an accomplished dancer, writer & academician, Nartana is also devoted to social causes. She spends her spare time helping school drop outs, special needs children, destitute children and transgenders. She has done yeomen service in the aftermath of the Vardha Cyclone (2016). Born on June 2, 1980, Nartana is married to Karthikeyan and the couple have a young child.

Book's Contents and Sample Pages