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The fourteen Meykanda Sasteras constitute the basic texts of Saiva Siddhanta Philosophy in which the Sivanjaana BOtham of Meykandar though historically not the first but certainly is the foremost. Perhaps it is the most profound philosophical text that was ever authored by man. I have translated this under the name of THE MATAPHYSICA UNIVERSALIS OF MEYKANDAR and in addition to publishing it in hard covers, is also made available in this Home Page of World Saivism, maintained by Mrs. Suba Loganathan. Now as a sequel to that we are offering an English translation with commentary of another classic IRUPA IRUPATHU of Arunandi Sivaaccaariyar, the foremost student of Meykandar himself. He has also to his credit the massive Sivanjaana Siththiyaar, a philosophical text of outstanding merit, probably written within the guidance of Meykandar himself. The text should have been written in the 13th cent. itself, the time of Meykandar, considering that he was his foremost student.
The present text was probably written subsequent to Siththyaar, something that, however needs to be investigated further. What is distinct and earns our sympathy is the pains within which the inquiry was undertaken and because of which it avoids being dry and meaningless. Gnawing doubts about central issues in EXISTENCE are raised in front of Meykandar himself and seeks TRUTHS that would alleviate the excruciating pains he was suffering. What we have, because of this, is an existential analytics of a profound kind that remains forever of interest to all thinking people throughout the world.
I have divided the commentary into parts. In the first I elucidate the
lines of thought of Arunandi himself so that the various implications,
not clearly articulated, are also brought out. In the second part, however,
I venture deeper and wider and provide solutions and deeper elucidation
of the metaphysical issues raised. Some ideas articulated are quite original.
The translation and commentary were written under very trying circumstances.
While there may be many inadequacies, I venture to publish it in the hope
that it can be revised and the imperfections removed after receiving comments
from the scholarly public who may venture into reading this magnificent
classic of Saiva Siddhanta.
Dr K.Loganathan, Universiti Sains Malaysia. Penang , MALAYSIA 15-12-98