Being a staff member of the DepartMent of Comparative Dravidian Literature and Philosophy, drawn towards the objectives of Dravidian University, I felt obliged to study the Dravidian" philosophy, culture and religion. Thus, the choice of this project entitled "Saivaism in Rayalaseema: its Historical and Philosophical Perspectives", was felt about Andhra Pradesh is known as `Trilinga Desa' for past many centuries. It is even believed that the name of Telugu to the language is derived from `Trilinga'. The land has a hoary past and gives a large scope to work on Saivism. Though the whole region paves way to research I have restricted my study to Rayalaseema.
The material for the preparation of this book is drawn from different sources: books, journals, inscriptions, religious magazines, newspapers, seminar papers, inclusive of local histories. Local history provides some times provides not only new but amazing facts about a place.
This work is divided into six chapters. The first chapter refers to a brief history and religious background of Rayalaseema starting from earliest times. The second chapter centers round origin and scope of Saivism schools in Saivism and salient features of Saivaism. Chapter three is devoted to the discussion of Saiva sects that are prevalent in Rayalaseema and their teachings. Chapter four speaks about the patrons of Saivism and its exemplars. The fifth chapter deals with the discussion of the Saiva temples in Rayalaseema and their impact on the socio-religious life of the people. The sixth chapter elucidates the summary of the main findings of the study in a conclusion.
In the course of the preparation of this book, I have received generous help and co-operation from a number of people in various ways. My indebtedness to them is so great that I can never repay it satisfactorily. All that I can hope to do is to place on record my gratitude to them. At the outset I express my deep sense of gratitude to our indigenous Vice-chancellor Prof.G.Lakshminarayana garu, Dravidian University, Kuppam for encouraging support in the preparation of the book. Equally I am beholden to the Registrar P.Rajasekhara Reddy garu Dravidian Universityi Kuppam for his constant encouragement and help in the preparation of this work. I have great pleasure in placing on record my deep sense of gratitude to my beloved teacher, Prof. C. Ramaiah garu,.Former professor of Philosophy and Dean of Academic Affaires, S. V. University, Tirupati, at present a member of Indian Council of Philosophical Research, New Delhi, who was of utmost help in the preparation of this work. I express my deep sense of gratitude to Prof.R.Sesha Sastri garu Head in-charge of the Department of Comparative Dravidian Literature & Philosophy, Dravidian University, Kuppam for his constant encouragement. I wish to express my sincere thanks to my teacher Prof.B.Sambasivaprasad, Professor of Philosophy, Prof. G. Chalapathi Professor of Telugu, Prof, T. Nagamma, Professor of Hitory, Prof. N. Kirankantha Chowdary, Professor of Indian Culture and Heritage, Prof. R. Sarvothama Rao, (Retd) Professor of Telugu, S.V.University, Tirupati. I thank the authorities of Dravidian University Library, Kuppam, S. V. University Library, Tirupati,, Director of the Oriental Research Institute, Tirupati, Director of Sri Venakateswara Central Research Institute Library, Tirupati, Director of SBM Museum of Kadapa . for their kind permission to, use the material available in their institutions.
My grateful thanks are due to Prof. M. Kumaraswamy Raju garu,Dr. B. Tirupati Rao garu, Dr. J.V. Satyavani garu verifying the manuscript. My thanks to my colleagues in the Department and their help.
My heart-felt thanks to my beloved father-in-law Sri S.Nagulaiah garu (Retd), Lecturer in Economics, Government Degree College, Khammam, for his help in severaFways.
**Contents and Sample Pages**
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