SAIVA-SIDDHANTA

2Q4 THK bAIVA RKLIGION.
St. Arunandi,* St. Marai-Jnana-Sambandar and St. Umapati
Sivacharyar and modern Saivaism may be said to commence
from that time.
We will now begin the study of Modern Saivaism, Its
form of ritualism and philosophy
is determined in the South
by the Agamas or Tantras, 28 in number, from Kamika to
Vatula, called the Dakshina or Right-handed ;
and the differ
ent temples in Southern India follow the rules prescribed in
one Agama or another, though there are still some temples
like the one at Chidambaram where the pure Vedic Rituals f*are
followed. This Agama Philosophy has also been greatly
developed and systematised in Tamil by a line of (
Teachers
beginning with St. Tirumular, J
St. Meykandan,
St. Arunaridi
.Sivachariyar, St. Marai-Jnana-Sambandar and St. Umapati
Sivachariyar. Both in the rituals and in the philosophy,
"the same mantras, forms and words derived from the old
Vedic Times are used. For instance, the temple represents
the old Yajfia sala symbolising the human bod}^. The Siva
Linga,^f (it is due to Svami Vivekanai)da to point out that
this was no Phallic Symbol $ and this view was reiterated by
* The authour of SwajTiana Siddhiyar.
The author of Light of Grace and SivaprakaSam.
f The pujas done in the Chidambaram are according to the paddhati
of Pataiijali ;
who takes the one from Saivagamas and the Mantras from
the Vedas,
J The author of Tivwriantiram.
1[ See the full) subject discussed with all the authorities in Siddha-uta
Dipika Vols. VI and VII .
$ The Svami said that the worship of the Siva Liriga originated
from the famous lingam in the Atharva Veda Sanihita sung in praise of
the Yupastambha, the sacrificial post. In that hymn a description is
found of the beginningless and endless Stambha or skhamba and it is
shown that the said Skhamba is put in place of the eternal Brahman. A; ;.,
afterwards, the sacrificial fire, its smoke, ashes and flames, the somJi plant
and the ox that used to carry on its back the wood for the Vedic sacri
fice, gave place to Siva s body, his yellow-matted hair, his blue throat, and
bull, the Yupastambha gave place to the Siva Lirigam and was raised to