Puranam By Saint Manikka vasagar Translated by P.R.Ramachander (Manikka Vasagar was one of the four great Nayanmars (saivite saints ) of Tamil Nadu, who was great poet as well as great contributor to the SAivite philosophy. His collection of works is called Thiruvachakam. Due to the sweetness and greatness of this work, there is a proverb in Tamil which says, “Thiruvasagathukku urugaar, yebbasagathukkum Urugaar”( One who does not melt for Thiruvasagam will not melt for any literary work). The first prayer in THiruvasagam is the Puranam.

SHIVA MAHAPURANA: INTRODUCTION. First of all, Sage Shaunak expressed his desire to Suta about knowing the means, which could help a man in this era of Kali to attainment lord Shiva, by cleansing all the impurities of his mind and rectifying his inherent demonic tendencies.

It was composed in a temple called Thiruperum thurai Unlike suggested by the name it is not the epic dealing with the stories of Shiva. In tamil Jeeva (the individual soul is called “ Cheevaa”. According to the philosophy of Saivism, the jeeva is prevented from the realization of God by three impurities (Anava(pride),, and Maya) and only approach to Shiva can remove these impurities. This Shiva puranam attempts to portray the jeeva towards Shiva and is aptly called “Shiva Puranam”, The famous English translation of Shiva Puranam by Mr.G.U.Pope (fondly called Popeiyer) is available in G.U.Pope’s translation. There is also great commentary in Tamil Which includes the Tamil text of this work in and the audio is Audio by Sulamangalam sisters is available in ) Namasivaya vaazhga, Nadan thal vazzhga, Imai podum yennenjil neengaadhan thal vazhga. Kokazhi aanda guru mani than thaal vaazhga, Agamam aagi nindru annippan vaazhga, Yekan anegan iraivan Vaazhga(1-5) Long live Namasivaya, Long live the holy feet of our Lord, Long live the feet of him who does not move away from my mind even for a second. Long live the feet of my Guru who ruled over Thiruvavaduthurai(Thiruperum thurai?)*, Long live the feet of him who became holy books and comes near us, Long live the feet of the God who was one but appeared as many.

*Shiva temple in Tamil Nadu.