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    தமிழ்

    Glossary: the words of Saiva Siddhanta

    Every term the site explains, in English, Tamil and Sanskrit, each defined once and used the same way on every page.

    189 terms

    Adhikaranam

    அதிகரணம் · Sanskrit adhikaraṇa

    One argument within a sutra, set out in the vartikam with its reason and an illustration.

    See also: Vartikam, Udaharanam

    Used in: Sivagnana Bodham

    Adhyasa

    அத்தியாசம் · Sanskrit adhyāsa

    Superimposition: taking the nature or attributes of one thing as belonging to another. Sankara’s opening analysis of bondage examines the mutual superimposition of self and non-self.

    See also: Avidya, Atman

    Used in: "I am That"

    Advaita Vedanta

    அத்வைத வேதாந்தம் · Sanskrit advaita vedānta

    The Vedantic teaching that the innermost self and Brahman are one reality, disclosed through liberating knowledge. Its use of non-duality differs from Siddhanta’s inseparability of Lord and soul.

    See also: Brahman, Atman, Advaitam (in Siddhanta)

    Used in: "I am That"

    Agamiyam (kriyamana)

    ஆகாமியம் · Sanskrit āgāmi, kriyamāṇa

    New karma being made now; after grace, none is generated.

    See also: Sanchitam, Prarabdham

    Anai

    ஆணை · Sanskrit ājñā

    'Command': Siva's Sakti, through which He acts, as a king acts through his command.

    See also: Sakti, Pati

    Used in: Sivagnana Bodham

    Ardhamandapam

    அர்த்தமண்டபம் · Sanskrit ardha-maṇḍapa

    The hall immediately before a temple’s sanctum. Its walls may carry deity niches as well as those of the sanctum itself.

    See also: Mandapam, Garbhagriham, Koshta

    Used in: The temple and its plan

    Asiriya viruttam

    ஆசிரிய விருத்தம்

    A Tamil verse form with four measured lines, each composed of an ordered pattern of metrical units. Sivaprakasam uses varieties of this form to unfold its arguments.

    See also: Sathiram (Sastra)

    Used in: Sivaprakasam

    Asuddha Maya

    அசுத்த மாயை · Sanskrit aśuddha-māyā

    The impure Maya order that supplies the conditions and material apparatus of bound experience. Prakriti and its embodied instruments belong within this order; the conscious soul is not a product of it.

    See also: Mayai (Maya), Prakriti, Pasam (Pasa)

    Used in: The ninety-six tattvas · The 36 Tattvas

    Atma darisanam

    ஆன்ம தரிசனம் · Sanskrit ātma-darśana

    Recognition of the soul's nature through illuminating grace, distinguishing it from its instruments. Sivaprakasam places it with soul-purification and soul-attainment among the fruits of knowledge.

    See also: Pasu, Arul, Jnanam (Nanam)

    Used in: Sivaprakasam · Unmai Neri Vilakkam

    Atma suddhi

    ஆன்ம சுத்தி · Sanskrit ātma-śuddhi

    Purification of the soul through grace, including relinquishment of the claim to independent action. The soul rests in the divine assistance through which it knows and acts.

    See also: Pasu, Arul, Iraipani

    Used in: Sivaprakasam · Unmai Neri Vilakkam

    Atman

    ஆத்மன் · Sanskrit ātman

    The self. In Advaita the innermost self is Brahman; Siddhanta distinguishes the dependent soul from the Lord even in inseparable union.

    See also: Brahman, Pasu, Pati

    Used in: "I am That"

    Atmartha worship

    ஆன்மார்த்தம் · Sanskrit ātmārtha

    Personal worship undertaken for the worshipper, distinguished in the Agamas from public temple service. Initiated personal linga worship carries the disciple’s taught obligations.

    See also: Parartha worship, Siva linga, Diksha

    Used in: Worship and daily practice

    Avidya

    அவித்தை · Sanskrit avidyā

    Ignorance in Vedantic accounts of bondage. In Sankara’s Advaita it sustains mistaken identification and is ended by knowledge of the self as Brahman.

    See also: Adhyasa, Atman, Brahman

    Used in: "I am That"

    Bali-pitham

    பலிபீடம் · Sanskrit bali-pīṭha

    The pedestal used for ritual bali offerings. Devotional teaching also connects the pause before it with surrendering pride and possessiveness.

    See also: Dhvajastambham, Nandi

    Used in: The temple and its plan

    Bhavana

    பாவனை · Sanskrit bhāvanā

    Sustained contemplation through which an understood teaching shapes inward attention. Sivoham bhavana in Siddhanta belongs within the guru’s instruction and the soul’s dependence on grace.

    See also: Sivoham, Arul, Jnanam (Nanam)

    Used in: "I am That"

    Brahman

    பிரம்மம் · Sanskrit brahman

    Ultimate reality in Upanishadic and Vedantic teaching. Advaita identifies the unconditioned self with Brahman; the word is distinct from Brahma, the creator deity.

    See also: Atman, Advaita Vedanta

    Used in: "I am That"

    Brahmotsavam

    பிரம்மோற்சவம் · Sanskrit brahmotsava

    A temple’s annual festival of several days, with flag-hoisting, special worship and processions. Its month and ceremonial sequence belong to the particular temple.

    See also: Kodiyetram, Agamam (Agama)

    Used in: Festivals and Guru Pujas

    Chandesvara

    சண்டேசுவரர் · Sanskrit Caṇḍeśvara

    A Nayanmar given stewardship of Siva’s offerings and possessions. His shrine is typically near the northern side of the main sanctum.

    See also: Nayanmar, Somasutra

    Used in: The temple and its plan

    Chidambara rahasyam

    சிதம்பர இரகசியம் · Sanskrit cidambara-rahasya

    The 'secret of Chidambaram': the curtained space disclosed beside Nataraja, marked by golden vilva leaves and honoured as the Akasa-linga. It directs worship towards Siva's presence without a solid outline.

    See also: Pancha bhoota, Siva linga, Vilva, Aindhozhil

    Used in: The Pancha Bhoota Sthalams

    Chittirakavi

    சித்திரக்கவி

    Picture-poetry: verses built under a strict rule of letters, words or numbers, so that they read the same backwards, make a shape, or carry several meanings in one line.

    See also: Pathigam, Tevaram

    Used in: Tirumurai 1: Tirukkadaikkappu (Tevaram)

    Dasa margam

    தாச மார்க்கம் · Sanskrit dāsa-mārga

    The servant's way: devotion to Siva lived through service as His servant. In the traditional four-path correspondence it is associated with Chariyai.

    See also: Chariyai, Adiyar

    Used in: Tirumurai 7: Tiruppattu (Tevaram of Sundarar)

    Dhvajastambham

    கொடிமரம் · Sanskrit dhvajastambha

    The temple flagstaff, typically on the approach to the main shrine. The festival flag is raised on it during kodiyetram.

    See also: Kodiyetram, Bali-pitham, Nandi

    Used in: The temple and its plan

    En gunam

    எண்குணம் · Sanskrit aṣṭaguṇa

    The eight qualities of Siva, natural to Him and never acquired: among them independence, purity, innate awareness, complete knowing, freedom from bonds, grace, unlimited power and limitless bliss.

    See also: Pati

    Used in: Siva: his forms, acts and qualities

    Garbhagriham

    கருவறை · Sanskrit garbha-gṛha

    The inner chamber containing the temple’s principal consecrated form. Literally the womb chamber; in a typical Siva temple it contains the linga.

    See also: Siva linga, Ardhamandapam

    Used in: The temple and its plan

    Girivalam

    கிரிவலம் · Sanskrit giri-pradakṣiṇā

    Walking in circumambulation around a sacred hill. At Tiruvannamalai, devotees walk around Arunachala, revered as Siva's manifestation.

    See also: Pancha bhoota, Darisanam

    Used in: The Pancha Bhoota Sthalams

    Guru-puja

    குருபூசை · Sanskrit guru-pūjā

    The annual remembrance of a saint or teacher's attainment of Siva's feet, kept by the Tamil month and star associated with that attainment.

    See also: Nayanmar, Adiyar

    Used in: Tirumurai 12: Periya Puranam

    Gurumaha Sannidhanam

    குருமகாசந்நிதானம்

    The spiritual head of a Saiva Adheenam, responsible for its teaching line, worship and institutional care.

    See also: Adheenam, Diksha

    Used in: The Adheenams

    Irul

    இருள்

    Darkness: the soul's condition under sense-knowledge (pasa-jnanam).

    See also: Marul, Arul

    Jahat-ajahat lakshana

    விட்டும் விடாத இலக்கணை · Sanskrit jahadajahallakṣaṇā; bhāgatyāgalakṣaṇā

    Partial indication: incompatible qualifications are left while the non-conflicting referent is retained. Also called bhaga-tyaga lakshana; recognising this Devadatta as that Devadatta is its classical model.

    See also: Lakshana, Jahat lakshana, Ajahat lakshana

    Used in: How the great sayings are read

    Jivakarunyam

    சீவகாருணியம் · Sanskrit jīvakāruṇya

    Compassion towards living beings. In Vallalar's teaching it requires the relief of hunger and suffering and the refusal to kill, and is central to spiritual practice.

    See also: Arul, Samarasa Suddha Sanmarga

    Used in: Later Tamil saints and Siddhanta

    Jyotirlinga

    சோதிலிங்கம் · Sanskrit jyotirliṅga

    A linga worshipped as Siva's manifestation as light. The Siva Purana names twelve such manifestations; several names have competing regional identifications.

    See also: Siva linga, Pati

    Used in: The Jyotirlingas and the Himalayan shrines

    Kalivenba

    கலிவெண்பா

    An extended Tamil verse form related to venba, carrying a continuous utterance beyond the length of a short venba. It is used for messenger poems such as Nenju Vidu Thoothu.

    See also: Venba, Kanni, Thoothu

    Used in: Nenju Vidu Thoothu

    Kanchukam

    கஞ்சுகம் · Sanskrit kañcuka

    A covering or conditioning principle. Siddhanta’s five kanchukas are Kalam, Niyati, Kalai, Viddhai and Aragam: time, the ordering of consequences, and the measured capacities for action, knowing and desire.

    See also: Purusha tattva, Anavam (Anava mala), Mayai (Maya)

    Used in: The 36 Tattvas

    Kanni

    கண்ணி

    A pair of verse lines used as a unit of counting in a continuous Tamil poem, including a messenger poem. Its speech can continue across several such pairs.

    See also: Kalivenba, Thoothu

    Used in: Nenju Vidu Thoothu

    Kattalai

    கட்டளை

    An endowment maintaining a specified temple worship or charitable service. Caring for a kattalai does not by itself mean administering the whole temple.

    See also: Adheenam, Kiriyai

    Used in: The Adheenams

    Kattalai kalitturai

    கட்டளைக் கலித்துறை

    A Tamil verse form of four long lines governed by prescribed metrical rules. Kodikkavi uses it for its opening verse, followed by four venbas.

    See also: Venba, Sathiram (Sastra)

    Used in: Kodikkavi

    Koshta

    கோட்டம், தேவகோட்டம் · Sanskrit koṣṭha

    A niche in the outer wall of a sanctum or adjoining shrine chamber. A deity installed in it is called a koshta deity.

    See also: Garbhagriham, Ardhamandapam

    Used in: The temple and its plan

    Kumbhabhishekam

    குடமுழுக்கு, கும்பாபிடேகம் · Sanskrit kumbhābhiṣeka

    Temple consecration or renewal involving sacred water poured from ritual vessels upon the temple’s sacred forms and structures. The pouring belongs to a larger sequence of rites.

    See also: Pratishtha, Agamam (Agama)

    Used in: The Agamas

    Lakshana

    இலக்கணை · Sanskrit lakṣaṇā

    Indication: understanding a related meaning when the direct meaning cannot carry the intended sentence. The indicated meaning remains constrained by the words and their context.

    See also: Vachyartha, Lakshyartha

    Used in: How the great sayings are read

    Lakshya-lakshana bhava

    இலட்சிய இலக்கண பாவம் · Sanskrit lakṣyalakṣaṇabhāva

    The relation between an indicating expression and its indicated referent. Vedantasara 153 applies it by relinquishing conflicting qualifications and retaining the non-conflicting referent.

    See also: Lakshana, Lakshyartha, Jahat-ajahat lakshana

    Used in: How the great sayings are read

    Lakshyartha

    இலட்சியார்த்தம் · Sanskrit lakṣyārtha

    The meaning indicated through a word when its direct sense cannot carry the sentence. It is the result of indication, rather than the operation itself.

    See also: Lakshana, Vachyartha

    Used in: How the great sayings are read

    Mahavakya

    மகாவாக்கியம் · Sanskrit mahāvākya

    A great saying of the Upanishads. Four such sayings are commonly gathered in Advaita teaching to disclose the relation of the self to Brahman.

    See also: Upanishad, Brahman, Atman

    Used in: "I am That"

    Mandapam

    மண்டபம் · Sanskrit maṇḍapa

    A temple hall or pavilion. Different halls provide space for approaches, gatherings and particular rites or festivals.

    See also: Ardhamandapam, Garbhagriham

    Used in: The temple and its plan

    Marul

    மருள்

    Confusion: the soul's condition under self-knowledge (pasu-jnanam), pulled between world and Siva.

    See also: Irul, Arul

    Mithya

    மித்தை · Sanskrit mithyā

    In Advaita, the standing of an appearance that is encountered but has no independent ultimate reality. It is distinguished from sheer nonexistence.

    See also: Advaita Vedanta, Brahman

    Used in: "I am That"

    Mulagama

    மூலாகமம் · Sanskrit mūlāgama

    A principal scripture of the Saiva Siddhanta canon. Twenty-eight mulagamas are distinguished from their subsidiary upagamas.

    See also: Agamam (Agama), Upagama

    Used in: The Agamas

    Muyalakan

    முயலகன்

    The small figure beneath Nataraja's planted foot. In the Siddhanta reading of Unmai Vilakkam, the figure is associated with the impurity pressed down in the dance, explained as Anavam. The soul is the one lifted by grace.

    See also: Anavam (Anava mala), Aindhozhil, Arul

    Used in: Nataraja and the five acts

    Nakshatram

    நட்சத்திரம் · Sanskrit nakṣatra

    One of the twenty-seven divisions of the Moon’s path, often called a star. A festival or Guru Puja may be observed when the Moon occupies a named nakshatram in a Tamil month.

    See also: Guru-puja

    Used in: Festivals and Guru Pujas

    Nandi

    நந்தி · Sanskrit Nandin

    Siva’s bull, typically placed facing the Lord before the main shrine. His posture is also read devotionally as steadfast attention to Siva.

    See also: Siva linga, Garbhagriham

    Used in: The temple and its plan

    Odukkam

    ஒடுக்கம் · Sanskrit laya, saṁhāra

    Involution: each tattva folds back into its source; also the soul's final absorption into Siva-Sakti.

    Pahrodai venba

    பஃறொடை வெண்பா

    A Tamil venba form with several linked lines; pahrodai joins pal and todai, meaning 'many linkages'. Potrippahrodai carries linked venba verse through a continuous poem of praise.

    See also: Venba, Sathiram (Sastra)

    Used in: Potrippahrodai

    Pandara Sastras

    பண்டார சாத்திரங்கள்

    Saiva doctrinal teaching works associated with monastic teachers, including the collection preserved at Tiruvavaduthurai Adheenam. They stand alongside the fourteen Meykanda Sastras.

    See also: Adheenam, Sathiram (Sastra), Dasa karya

    Used in: Later works and commentaries

    Pey

    பேய்

    A spirit or ghost. In Karaikkal Ammaiyar's life, the fleshless form she asks Siva to give her so that she may live as His devotee.

    See also: Nayanmar, Arul

    Pradakshinam

    பிரதட்சிணம், வலம் வருதல் · Sanskrit pradakṣiṇā

    Reverent circumambulation, typically clockwise, keeping the shrine on the right. The route immediately around a Siva sanctum may turn back at the abhishekam watercourse.

    See also: Prakaram, Somasutra

    Used in: The temple and its plan

    Prakaram

    பிரகாரம் · Sanskrit prākāra

    A temple enclosure and the surrounding space within it, used for walking, shrines and temple service. Enclosures are usually counted from the sanctum outwards.

    See also: Gopuram, Pradakshinam

    Used in: The temple and its plan

    Prakriti

    பிரகிருதி · Sanskrit prakṛti

    The material basis of the twenty-four Atma tattvas within the Asuddha Maya order. Its three gunas underlie the inner instruments and the sensory, active and elemental apparatus; it does not produce the soul.

    See also: Asuddha Maya, Gunam, Antahkaranam

    Used in: The ninety-six tattvas · The 36 Tattvas

    Prarabdham

    பிராரத்தம் · Sanskrit prārabdha

    The portion of karma already bearing fruit in this life; it must be lived out.

    See also: Sanchitam, Agamiyam (kriyamana)

    Pratishtha

    பிரதிட்டை · Sanskrit pratiṣṭhā

    The ritual installation and consecration of a sacred image or linga for worship.

    See also: Agamam (Agama), Kumbhabhishekam

    Used in: The Agamas

    Purusha tattva

    புருட தத்துவம் · Sanskrit puruṣa-tattva

    The conventional designation of the conscious soul as an experiencer joined to the five conditioning principles. It is not a new soul or conscious substance produced from Maya.

    See also: Pasu, Kanchukam, Tattvam (tattva)

    Used in: The 36 Tattvas

    Raga

    இராகம் · Sanskrit rāga

    A melodic mode with characteristic notes, movements and emphasis. Modern raga comparisons can help describe pann singing without establishing an exact historical identity.

    See also: Pann, Talam

    Used in: Pann and the Oduvars

    Rudrabheda

    ருத்ரபேதம் · Sanskrit rudrabheda

    The group of eighteen principal Saiva Agamas, from Vijaya to Vatula, distinguished by their transmission through Rudra recipients.

    See also: Agamam (Agama), Sivabheda

    Used in: The Agamas

    Rudraksha

    உருத்திராக்கம் · Sanskrit rudrākṣa

    Beads obtained from the rudraksha tree’s fruit, worn as a Saiva sacred sign and used in rosaries for japa.

    See also: Tiruneeru, Japa

    Used in: Worship and daily practice

    Sadasiva

    சதாசிவன் · Sanskrit sadāśiva

    Siva in the form with five faces, worshipped as form-and-formless; the five faces are Sadyojata, Vamadeva, Aghora, Tatpurusha and Isana. Also the name of one of the pure tattvas, which is not Siva Himself.

    See also: Pati, Aindhozhil, Tattvam (tattva)

    Used in: Siva: his forms, acts and qualities

    Sakalar

    சகலர் · Sanskrit sakala

    The class of souls bound by all three impurities: Anavam, Kanmam and Mayai. A class of souls is a different distinction from the soul's three broad states.

    See also: Mummalam, Sakalam, Pasu

    Used in: Sivaprakasam

    Sakha margam

    சக மார்க்கம் · Sanskrit sakhā-mārga

    The friend's way: devotion to Siva lived in the relation of a friend, with trust and freedom of speech. In the traditional four-path correspondence it is associated with Yogam.

    See also: Yogam, Adiyar

    Used in: Tirumurai 7: Tiruppattu (Tevaram of Sundarar)

    Samanadhikaranya

    சமானாதிகரணியம் · Sanskrit sāmānādhikaraṇya

    Co-reference through expressions with a common grammatical locus. Vedantasara 151 uses this Devadatta is that Devadatta to illustrate the relation.

    See also: Lakshana, Jahat-ajahat lakshana

    Used in: How the great sayings are read

    Samarasa Suddha Sanmarga

    சமரச சுத்த சன்மார்க்கம்

    Vallalar's later spiritual path, centred on compassion without caste exclusion, divine-light worship and the possibility of deathless transformation. Its claims are distinct from the Meykanda school's account of Agamic practice and liberation.

    See also: Jivakarunyam, Arul

    Used in: Later Tamil saints and Siddhanta

    Sarukkam

    சருக்கம்

    A major narrative division or canto. The Periya Puranam is arranged in thirteen sarukkams across two kandams.

    See also: Tirumurai

    Used in: Tirumurai 12: Periya Puranam

    Sat, cit, anandam

    சத்து, சித்து, ஆனந்தம் · Sanskrit sat, cit, ānanda

    Being, awareness and bliss. Siva has all three fully; the soul has being and awareness but no bliss of its own; matter has none.

    Used in: Sivagnana Bodham

    Shravan

    சிராவணம் · Sanskrit śrāvaṇa

    A lunar month falling roughly in July and August, associated in many regions with Siva worship. The Amarnath pilgrimage culminates at its full moon.

    See also: Yatra, Pati

    Used in: The Jyotirlingas and the Himalayan shrines

    Siva tattva

    சிவ தத்துவம் · Sanskrit śiva-tattva

    The highest of the thirty-six tattvas, manifested from Suddha Maya as the pure support of divine knowledge. It is not Siva the Lord, Pati, who is beyond all thirty-six.

    See also: Tattvam (tattva), Suddha Maya, Pati

    Used in: The 36 Tattvas

    Sivabheda

    சிவபேதம் · Sanskrit śivabheda

    The group of ten principal Saiva Agamas, from Kamika to Suprabheda, distinguished by their transmission through Siva recipients.

    See also: Agamam (Agama), Rudrabheda

    Used in: The Agamas

    Sivacharya

    சிவாச்சாரியர் · Sanskrit śivācārya

    A teacher or priest of the Saiva Agamic rites. In Tamil temple usage, Sivacharyas are associated with the Adi Saiva priestly community and its initiated ritual transmission.

    See also: Agamam (Agama), Diksha

    Used in: The Agamas

    Sivoham

    சிவோகம் · Sanskrit śivo’ham

    Literally, “I am Siva.” In Siddhanta contemplation the expression is understood within Siva’s grace and pervasion of the soul, preserving its dependence on Him.

    See also: Bhavana, Advaitam (in Siddhanta), Iraipani

    Used in: "I am That"

    Somasutra

    சோமசூத்திரம் · Sanskrit somasūtra

    The watercourse carrying the linga’s abhishekam water out of the shrine. Somasutra pradakshinam is a turning circumambulation that avoids crossing it.

    See also: Abhishekam, Pradakshinam, Chandesvara

    Used in: The temple and its plan

    Sthala vriksha

    தலமரம் · Sanskrit sthala-vṛkṣa

    The tree or plant sacred to a particular temple place, associated with its worship and local history.

    See also: Vilva

    Used in: The temple and its plan

    Suttunarvu

    சுட்டுணர்வு

    Knowledge that singles out an object as “this” or “that”, distinct from the knower. In Siddhanta, Siva is known through His grace rather than as an object of this kind.

    See also: Pasu, Jnanam (Nanam), Arul

    Used in: Vinaa Venba

    Talam

    தாளம் · Sanskrit tāla

    A recurring cycle of musical beats that organises time in a performance. It is distinct from a poem’s metre and from the melody’s pann or raga.

    See also: Pann, Raga

    Used in: Pann and the Oduvars

    Terul

    தெருள்

    Siva's own supreme knowledge; only a trace descends to the liberated soul.

    See also: Arul

    Thambiran

    தம்பிரான்

    An initiated renunciant in a Saiva monastery, who may be entrusted with teaching, worship or administration. The use of the title varies among institutions.

    See also: Adheenam, Diksha

    Used in: The Adheenams

    Thathvikam

    தாத்துவிகம் · Sanskrit tāttvika

    The sixty developments of the tattvas (from the elements, the airs, the channels, the organs' actions, the stages of speech, the gunas and the ahankaras), which with the thirty-six make ninety-six.

    See also: Tattvam (tattva)

    Used in: The ninety-six tattvas

    The five kalas

    ஐந்து கலைகள் · Sanskrit pañcakalā

    Nivritti, Pratishta, Vidya, Santi and Santyatita: the five powers that hold the other paths, each resting in the next and all in Santyatita. Not the same as Kalai, the tattva that limits the soul's power.

    See also: The six paths (adhvas)

    Used in: The six paths and the four stages of speech

    The six paths (adhvas)

    ஆறு அத்துவாக்கள் · Sanskrit ṣaḍadhvan

    The six 'paths' in which the bound soul is involved and through which it is purified: three of objects (kalai 5, tattvam 36, bhuvanam 224) and three of sound (vannam 51, padam 81, mantram 11).

    See also: The five kalas, Bhuvanam, Diksha

    Used in: The six paths and the four stages of speech

    Thoothu

    தூது

    A Tamil messenger poem: a speaker sends a message of longing to the beloved through a bird, a cloud, the heart or another messenger. In Nenju Vidu Thoothu, Umapathi sends his heart to his guru Maraignana Sambandar.

    See also: Kalivenba, Sathiram (Sastra)

    Used in: Nenju Vidu Thoothu

    Thotram

    தோற்றம் · Sanskrit sṛṣṭi

    The unfolding of the tattvas from their causes, from the pure order down to the gross elements. Its reverse is odukkam, the return into the causes.

    See also: Odukkam, Tattvam (tattva)

    Used in: The ninety-six tattvas

    Tirukkalyanam

    திருக்கல்யாணம் · Sanskrit kalyāṇa

    A ceremonial divine marriage celebrated in temple worship. The festival honours the divine couple through marriage rites, offerings and procession.

    See also: Sakti, Brahmotsavam

    Used in: Festivals and Guru Pujas

    Tiruvasi

    திருவாசி

    The sacred arch around a deity's form; around Nataraja it appears as a ring of flame. Unmai Vilakkam 35 reads it as Omkara, with the imperishable letter inseparable from that sound filling its radiance.

    See also: Panchaksharam, Aindhozhil

    Used in: Nataraja and the five acts

    Tithi

    திதி · Sanskrit tithi

    A lunar day defined by the changing angular separation of the Sun and Moon. Each waxing or waning fortnight has fifteen tithis; they do not keep the same boundaries as civil days.

    See also: Nakshatram

    Used in: Festivals and Guru Pujas

    Tripundra

    திரிபுண்டரம் · Sanskrit tripuṇḍra

    Three horizontal lines of sacred ash, commonly worn on the forehead. Saiva teaching connects the sign with purification and the overcoming of the three malas.

    See also: Tiruneeru, Mummalam

    Used in: Worship and daily practice

    Turiyam

    துரியம் · Sanskrit turīya

    The fourth state, distinguished from waking, dream and deep sleep. Tirumantiram 2568 distinguishes jiva-turiya, para-turiya and Siva-turiya within its contemplative account.

    See also: Avattai (avastha), Yogam

    Used in: How the great sayings are read

    Undi

    உந்தி

    A girls’ jumping game and the song form associated with it. In Tiruvundiyar, the second and third lines return to undi para, “fly up, undi”, carrying spiritual teaching in a remembered play-song rhythm.

    See also: Sathiram (Sastra), Tirumurai

    Used in: Tiruvundiyar

    Upadhi

    உபாதி · Sanskrit upādhi

    A conditioning adjunct through which something appears qualified. In Advaita, total and individual conditioning account for the opposed attributes associated with Isvara and the individual, without dividing unconditioned consciousness.

    See also: Advaita Vedanta, Avidya

    Used in: How the great sayings are read

    Upagama

    உபாகமம் · Sanskrit upāgama

    A subsidiary Agama associated with a principal Saiva Agama. The received enumeration commonly gives 207; this is not a count of complete surviving books.

    See also: Agamam (Agama), Mulagama

    Used in: The Agamas

    Upanishad

    உபநிடதம் · Sanskrit upaniṣad

    A Vedic text of teaching on the self and ultimate reality. Different schools interpret its sayings within their accounts of bondage and liberation.

    See also: Mahavakya, Brahman, Atman

    Used in: "I am That"

    Upasantam

    உபசாந்தம் · Sanskrit upaśānta

    Stillness or pacification. Tirumantiram places it within its account of purification and realisation; its precise significance depends on the surrounding yogic teaching.

    See also: Turiyam, Yogam

    Used in: How the great sayings are read

    Uzhavarappani

    உழவாரப்பணி

    Temple-cleaning service associated especially with Appar: clearing weeds, stones and dirt from temple precincts as an act of devotion.

    See also: Chariyai, Adiyar

    Used in: Tirumurai 4: Tevaram of Appar

    Vachyartha

    வாச்சியார்த்தம் · Sanskrit vācyārtha

    The meaning directly expressed by a word. In the Vedantasara analysis of tat tvam asi, it includes the conditioning associated with the Lord or the individual.

    See also: Lakshana, Lakshyartha

    Used in: How the great sayings are read

    Vedanta–Siddhanta samarasam

    வேதாந்த சித்தாந்த சமரசம்

    The concord of Vedanta and Siddhanta sought in Thayumanavar's contemplative teaching. This is his synthesis, not a replacement for the Meykanda school's distinctions of Lord, soul and bond.

    See also: Pati, Pasu, Pasam (Pasa), Advaitam (in Siddhanta)

    Used in: Later Tamil saints and Siddhanta

    Vijnanakalar

    விஞ்ஞானாகலர் · Sanskrit vijñānākala

    The class of souls bound by Anavam alone. Having only this remaining bond does not by itself mean final liberation.

    See also: Anavam (Anava mala), Pasu, Suddham

    Used in: Sivaprakasam

    Vilva

    வில்வம் · Sanskrit bilva

    The bael tree, Aegle marmelos, whose leaves are offered in Siva worship. Its leaves commonly have three leaflets.

    See also: Siva linga, Kiriyai

    Used in: Worship and daily practice

    Virasaivam (Virasaiva)

    வீரசைவம் · Sanskrit vīraśaiva

    A Saiva religious tradition associated with personal linga worship and its own teachers and texts. Sivaprakasa Swamigal's affiliation belongs to this tradition and is distinct from the Meykanda school's lineage.

    See also: Pati, Diksha

    Used in: Later Tamil saints and Siddhanta

    Viseshana-viseshya bhava

    விசேடண விசேடிய பாவம் · Sanskrit viśeṣaṇaviśeṣyabhāva

    The qualifier–qualified relation. Vedantasara 152 explains how the expressions mutually delimit the intended referent in its great-saying analysis.

    See also: Samanadhikaranya, Lakshya-lakshana bhava

    Used in: How the great sayings are read

    Yazh

    யாழ்

    An ancient Tamil harp, remembered in literary accounts of music and in the life of Tiruneelakanta Yazhpanar.

    See also: Pann, Tevaram

    Used in: Pann and the Oduvars

    The path round the hill

      The whole path