Saiva Religion A Primer

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This handbook, is shorn off all technical terms and dry philosophy, treats within a small compass all the main aspects of the Saiva religion and philosophy help- ful for solving problems of life arising on one's path to the ultmate Goal. It consists mainly of co-ordinated notes and summaries.

The Saivism is worth the study from any point of view. Saivism is said to have all the essentials of a well balanced religion. It is the oldest religion of the world admitted to be beyond all historic data. It has stood the test of time standing on its own merits and is yet a flour- ishing virile religion. It is a universal religion based on eternal truths and highest morality, embracing within its fold all the other religions without hate; on the belief that they are all on the path to reach God.

This small book is meant to supply a long-felt de- mand among English-educated friends and Students for gaining a comprehensive idea of our religion and Phi- losophy. It is all anlysed for them.

This handbook, such as it is shorn off all technical terms and dry philosophy, treats within a small com- pass all the main aspects of our Saiva religion and phi- losophy helpful for solving problems of life arising on one's path to the ultmate Goal.

It consists mainly of co-ordinated notes and sum- maries. Overlapping and repetition have become neces- sary as the subjects treated are involved and inter-de- pendent. This necessity has however been reduced to a minimum. Practical side of our religion has been given prominence compatible with the space available.

This small book is meant to supply a long-felt de- mand among our English-educated friends and Gtudents for gaining a comprehensive idea of ourr religion and philosophy. It is all anlysed for them.

What religion is, what its functions and purposes are, how religion becomes necessary and similar aspects are treated in the first chapter entitled" Religion in gen- eral. This is followed by the chapter on " Saivaism" which is practically an introduction to the other chapters. A religion is expected to teach us the relation between God and soul and between soul and nature or Pasa as we call it. God, soul end Pasa are found in chapters 3, 4 and 5 respectively-To the practical and working knowledge of Bhakti or Love to Gcd, and worship, the things essential for the prectice of our religion, are devoted chapters 6 and 7. Authenticative statements of the Saiva Siddhanta philosophy and religion is found in SivagnanaBotham and Sivagnana Siddiar which are summarised in chap- ter 8. The last chapter gives a descriptive list of our scrip- tures and sacred books. We expect this book to serve as a general introduction to those scriptures and sacred books.

This religion is worth the study from any point of view. It is said to have all the essentials of a well bal- anced religion. It is the oldest religion of the world ad- mitted to be beyond all historic data. Some scholars trace it back to about two hundred centuries- It has stood the test of time standing as it is on its own merits and is yet a flourishing virile religion. It is a universal religion based on eternal truths ond highest morality, embracing within its fold all the other religions without hate; on the belief that they are all on the path to reach God. It knows nei- ther caste nor class nor colour nor race. It makes no dif- ference between the poor and the rich, the illiterate: and the learned and the low and the high. It is not ridden by dogmas, but on the contrary it encourages "ishtam "(own way) in all forms of worship and Sadhana.

**Contents and Sample Pages**