Tirumantiram - English | by Tirumular/ Hindu Shlokas Book
"Divine Wisdom Awaits You in the Sacred Verses of Tirumantiram!"
• Introduction to the Book: Tirumantiram:
• The Tirumantiram is an important spiritual book in Tamil writing that captures the heart of Saiva Siddhanta. This hindu mantra book contains timeless prayers and verses that guide readers on topics like yoga, devotion, morals, and spiritual understanding. It is a rich source of sacred wisdom that has been shared by ancient saints.
• Detailed story about the book Tirumantiram:
• The Tirumantiram is one of the oldest and most significant texts in Tamil literature. It is a key part of the Tirumurai, a collection of twelve volumes on Tamil Shaiva Siddhanta. Written by the mystical Siddhar Tirumular, the text connects themes of devotion, yoga, tantra, and philosophy. The mantra book are not only lyrical but also full of symbolism, hiding deep spiritual truths that continue to motivate sages, scholars, and seekers of knowledge.
• According to legend, Tirumular, who was originally called Sundaranatha, was a yogi from Northern India and a student of the great sage Nandi, who is known as Lord Shiva's primary disciple. While traveling south, he came across a sad scene near Chidambaram: a group of cows crying beside their deceased herdsman. Feeling a strong sense of empathy, the yogi went into a deep meditative state and transferred his spirit into the dead man’s body, bringing him back to life. He took on this new identity to further his spiritual journey and share the teachings of Shaiva Siddhanta.
• Tirumular isolated himself to meditate and would periodically come out to write a verse full of deep meaning and yogic wisdom. It is said that he created one verse each year, leading to a collection of more than 3,000 verses. Together, these verses make up the Tirumantiram, which means “sacred mantra or holy chant. ”
• What makes the Tirumantiram special is how it brings together different ideas:
1. Mantra and Tantra: It offers sacred sounds and ceremonies to help with personal change.
2. Yoga: It describes practices similar to Patanjali’s Eightfold Path and talks about postures, breathing, concentration, and reaching higher awareness.
3. Philosophy: It explains the connection between the soul (jiva), God (pati), and bondage (pasa), reflecting the non-dual ideas of Shaivism.
4. Ethics and Morality: It promotes kindness, a vegetarian lifestyle, self-discipline, and compassion as important spiritual practices.
5. Devotion and Grace: It highlights that true freedom comes from the grace of Lord Shiva, not just our own efforts.
• Unlike many complex philosophical shloka book, the Tirumantiram is easy to understand in clear Tamil, using metaphors and practical insights. It provides not only religious knowledge but a full spiritual journey toward self-discovery and unity with the divine.
• Today, the Tirumantiram remains a significant source of wisdom in Tamil Saiva tradition, combining devotion and knowledge into one powerful truth.
• Detailed story about the author Tirumular:
• Tirumular is one of the most respected Tamil Siddhars and spiritual saints in the Shaiva tradition, known for writing the spiritual masterpiece Tirumantiram. His life, which is filled with legend and mystery, symbolizes yoga, compassion, and a divine purpose.
• According to old stories, Tirumular was first called Sundaranatha. He was a great yogi from the Himalayas and a direct student of Nandi Deva, the holy bull who is the protector of Lord Shiva. Sundaranatha had amazing spiritual wisdom and was really good at advanced yoga. His teacher told him to go south and share the teachings of Shaiva Siddhanta, which is a path full of devotion, yoga, and spiritual practice focused on Lord Shiva.
• While on his journey, he arrived in the Tamil area close to Chidambaram, a sacred city famous for the Nataraja temple. There, he saw something very sad—a group of cows crying for their dead caretaker, Mulan. Feeling deep sympathy and guided by divine intention, the yogi used his special yogic power to enter Mulan’s lifeless body, bringing him back to life. Tirumular chose to live as Mulan, taking care of the cattle while also quietly meditating and sharing spiritual wisdom.
• Later on, he went to meditate deeply under a peepal tree near Chidambaram. It is believed that he would come out of his meditation once a year and write one verse filled with deep philosophical and spiritual understanding, which eventually created the sacred text called Tirumantiram. This stotra book has over 3,000 verses, leading to the belief that he lived for more than 3,000 years—one verse for each year. However, scholars see this as a symbolic interpretation.
• Tirumular is honored not only as a poet-saint but also as a Siddhar, someone who has mastered their body, mind, and spirit. His teachings combine several approaches:
1. Yoga and Tantra, which focus on disciplined practices and awakening within
2. Shaiva Siddhanta philosophy, which explains the connection between God (Pati), the soul (Pasu), and bondage (Pasa)
3. Living ethically, highlighting practices like vegetarianism, non-violence, truthfulness, and purity
4. Devotion and Grace, stating that God’s grace is the best way to achieve liberation
• Tirumular's impact is still very strong. He helped lay the groundwork for the Tamil Shaivite Bhakti movement, which later grew through the Nayanmars. His ability to express deep ideas in simple Tamil has made his verses easy to understand for both scholars and regular worshippers for many years.
• Essentially, Tirumular wasn’t just a wise person or a poet—he was a spiritual link between the North and South, between yoga and devotion, between knowledge and real-life experiences, and between individual souls and the Supreme.
• Why Should You Use or Read the Book:
• The Tirumantiram is much more than just an old shloka book—it’s a living spiritual guide. Here’s why this sacred scripture should be part of your spiritual journey:
• It Is a Complete Spiritual Manual:
The Tirumantiram works as a strong guidebook full of prayers, mantras, and verses that blend devotion, discipline, and deep metaphysical understanding. It can help seekers, scholars, and worshippers at any step of their spiritual growth.
• Unlocks Inner Transformation Through Mantras:
As a mantra book, it shares sacred chants and meditation techniques that help awaken your inner self and improve spiritual cleanliness. The verses lead you through yoga practices like asana, pranayama, and dhyana, assisting in connecting your body, mind, and soul.
• Explains Life’s Purpose and the Path to Liberation:
The Tirumantiram goes into detail about important ideas like the soul, God, karma, being born again, and liberation. It answers basic questions about what it means to be human and shares useful wisdom in each verse.
• Promotes Ethical and Peaceful Living:
Focusing on good qualities like not hurting others, being a vegetarian, telling the truth, and showing kindness, it encourages a lifestyle that is in tune with nature and the divine.
• Preserves Ancient Tamil Spiritual Heritage:
Being one of the oldest Tamil texts that combines yoga, tantra, and Shaiva beliefs, this Tirumantiram text links you to a long history of spiritual belief, keeping ancient knowledge alive.
• Universally Relevant Teachings:
Its teachings go beyond different religions and provide valuable lessons on self-control, finding inner calm, loving the divine, and achieving true freedom.
• Whether you’re reciting from this stotra book, meditating using its mantras, or thinking about its verses, the Tirumantiram changes not just how you understand things but also how you live your life.
"Welcome the wise teachings of the Tirumantiram—get your copy today and start your journey towards spiritual growth. "
