A HANDY BOOK ON SAIVA NOBLE THOUGHTS
To teach ethical concepts there is a book called Nat Chinthanaikal (Noble Thoughts), which were radio broadcasts by Saiva Pulavar S. Sellathurai
One of the urgent needs to overhaul the educational system in the country is to make compulsory the study of Moral Science or Ethics in all schools from Grade 1 to Grade 7 so that the young become aware of what is right and wrong to observe and the correct way of living.
Respective religious instructions can be given on Sundays by relevant religious leaders.
Ethics or Moral Science could be a graded outline of values common to all in all three languages as a common syllabus.
As far as Saiva students are concerned there is the Saiva Vina Vidai (Q&A of Saivaism) by Aarumuga Navalar written long years ago.
Although the majority of the Thamil- speaking people are generally bracketed as Hindus, what they really practise in India and Sri Lanka and elsewhere is Saivaism.
This book can be taught in Sunday Schools.
But to teach ethical concepts there is a book called Nat Chinthanaikal (Noble Thoughts), which were radio broadcasts by Saiva Pulavar S. Sellathurai.
There are 50 such Thoughts in this handy book of 114 pages, priced at Rs.200 per copy.
It is published by Tellipalai Kalai Ilakkiya Kalam. These ethical concepts with enlightened interpretation are written in Thamil and therefore best suited to students who attend the Saiva Sunday Schools
For instance, there is an essay titled Vallamai Perum Vali (The way to gain strength).
This speaks about Nava Raathri (Nine Nights) devoted to Shakthi, the consort of Lord Siva.
She is known as Parvathi, Para Shakthi, Durga, Easwary and other names.
Shakthi means energy. Hindus and Saivaites believe that Shakthi is the driving force of all material things in the universe.
We need valour, wealth and wise education. They are all linked together.
Sivam and Shakthi are inseparable. They are both all-pervading.
Shakthi takes three forms representing the three attributes of the Mother Goddess.
Durga represents valour. She is worshipped for three days continuously in Nava Rarthri. The next three days are devoted to Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth and the last three days are devoted to the worship of the Goddess of Learning, Saraswathi. On the 10th day, a vow is observed on the day as Vijaya Dhasami.
Lord Siva has a manifestation known as Artha Naareeswarar -a combination of male-female concepts together.
Siva also takes three forms; Siva, Brahma and Vishnu.
Likewise, Shakthi takes three forms as Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswathi
Lakshmi sits on the chest of Vishnu, while Saraswathi sits on the tongue of Brahma.
Brahma creates, Vishnu protects and Siva destroys.
Hinduism is a name given to different kinds of thoughts in Northern India.
Lord Ganesh (known as Pllaiyaar or Yaanai Muhan in the South) and Durga or Kaali (in the North,) and Vishnu, and Lakshmi in the North), Karthikeya (known as Murugan in the South) are the all different personification of doing different functions of the One God, that the Saivites and Hindus believe.
When I followed a short-term course in ancient. Medieaval, modem and contemporary Thamil Literature for a Chartered Certificate course conducted by Colombo Thamil Sangam, Saivap Pulavar, Kala Booshanam S. Sellathurai was one of my lecturers.
I was highly impressed by his lectures because he explained the nuances clearly and in an interesting way.
He has written 21 books and four more with Pandithar S. Appathurai on Saivaism.
Every year he brings out a book in memory of his beloved wife, Sivakaama Sunthari. The book in the review was the 7th such book.
One of the urgent needs to overhaul the educational system in the country is to make compulsory the study of Moral Science or Ethics in all schools from Grade 1 to Grade 7 so that the young become aware of what is right and what is wrong and to observe the correct way of living