Studies in Jnanamritam (An Old and Rare Book)

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Among the standard works in Tamil on Saiva Siddhanta, the Jaannmrtam written by Vakifa munivar holds an important place. Scholars assign it to the twelfth century A. D. and consider it to be a work earlier than Meyknodar's sivajnanabodham. The Jaanamítam must have dealt with all the four padas, Caryd, Kriya, Yoga and Jhina at the time of its composition, although only the Jidnapida has survived now. sivajnana munivar gives excerpts from this work in his great commentary on the Sivajnanabodham. It has commanded the respect of other Siddhanta commentators also. Presumably, owing to the classical style in which it is written, it did not enjoy popular support. It was becoming difficult to get even the Jiinapada At the beginning of this century, the Jianapida was published by eeffur Subramaniya Kavirayar. under the auspices of the Madurai Tamil Sangam. Half a Century later, (in 1954) under the auspices of the Annamalai University Avvai S Duraiswami Pillai brought out an edition with the co-operation of Tamil scholars like T. V. Sadasiva Pandarathar and K. Vellaivaranar. Even after the publication of this fine edition, Siddhanta scholars have not given it the attention it richly deserves. Written in the style of the Sangam Tamil classics, it is characterised by profundity of thought and felicity of expression. It deals with the basic Siddhitna concepts, suitably employing inference.

In its own right and as providing scope for comparative study, the Jianimrtam calls for close study and research. By the publication of the present work 'Studies in Jnanamrtam' Dr. S Gangadaran has set the pace for further study by scholars at home and abroad, interested in this field. He hails from a family of devoted Saivites. After passing the B.A. and the M.A. Degrees in Philosophy securing a first class in each of them, he joined the Department of Philosophy, University of Madras for doing research on the Sivaprakasam.

The present thesis on 'Studies in Jaanamstam submitted for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy is the result of my investigations carried on by me in the Department of Saiva Siddhanta Philosophy, Madurai University during the years October, 1975-August, 1978.

According to sivajnana Munivar, scriptures should be classified under the two heads general and special. Works belonging to the category of general are interested in refuting other schools of thought giving their own conclusions only in a general way. Special works are intended to give in detail the contents of their own school of thought refuting other theories wherever necessary. In assessing the relative merits of the two works, the expressions of special works must be taken intact, whereas the expressions of general works may be construed liberally so as not to contradict the special ones.

Judging by this standard the work Jnanametam should be classed under the head 'General'. It deals with the existence and nature of the three categories of the system namely God. soul and bondage as they are viewed from the state of bondage The state of release is only indicated as in general scriptures such as the upanisads. Matters like these are dealt with in detail as found in some of the works belonging to the canonized fourteen scriptures known as the Siddhanta Sastras or Meykanda Sastras. The merit of the work lies in the fact that it proposes so give the digest of the wisdom part of the Saivagamas in accordance with the spiritual teaching heard from the master. It is written in a beautiful classical style of Tamil adopted by the authors of Sangam Tamil literature. In giving analogies the author is able to reproduce classical similes with ease and grace. The style for most part is somewhat difficult for understanding. But the commentary is very useful for analysing the stanzas into main Sentences and subordinate and co-ordinate clauses. After a few readings, the work becomes very pleasing and interesting.