FIRST LESSON

CHAPTER I:

ON PROOF

---

1. Question : What is Pramana?

Answer : Proof or measure.

2. Question : What is instrument of proof?

Answer : Intelligence of the Soul.

3. Question : How many kinds of Pramana are there? 

Answer : Three kinds.

4. Question : What are they? 

Answer : 1. (Katchi pramanam) proof by perception.

2. (Anumana pramanam) proof by inference.

3. (Agamia pramanam) proof by Agamas or the word of God.

5. Question : What is Katchi pramanam or proof by perception? 

Answer : To know an object by our senses. 

Example : Mountain, Earth, Sea are objects presented to our mind through our senses.

6. Question : What is Anumana pramanam or proof by inference? 

Answer : To infer an unknown thing by what we have seen. 

Example: To infer that there is fire within a house by seeing the smoke, coming out of a house.

7. Question : What is Agamia pramana or proof by Agama? 

Answer : To know by the words of God revealed in our Sacred Vedas and Agamas. 

Example: To know that there is Mahameru, Hell, Heaven, &c.

8. Question : How can we measure the objects of the world? 

Answer : By numbers, weighing, measuring rod.

9. Question : What is Anuvayam? 

Answer : Agreement.

10. Question : What is Vethiregam? 

Answer : Negation, or Difference.

11. Question : How many kinds of katchi or perception are there? 

Answer : They are of 8 kinds.

12. Question : What are they? 

Answer : 

Perception without difference. 

Perception with difference. 

perception with doubt. 

wrong perception. 

Perception by mind. 

Perception through external senses. 

perception by yogaq or psychical practices. 

Perception by experience.

13. Question : How many kinds of inference are there? 

Answer : Two kinds.

14. Question : What are they? 

Answer : Subjective inference or Introspection and objective inference.

15. Question : Vedas, how many? 

Answer : Four.

16. Question : What are they? 

Answer : Rig Veda, Yajur Veda, Sama Veda, Atharva Veda. 

Sub-Vedas: Ayur Veda (medicine), Thannur Veda (Archery), Ghandarva Veda and Artha Veda.

17 & 18. Question : How many Siva Agamas are there? 

Answer : 28, Viz, 

1. Kamikam, 2. Yogajam, 3. Chinthiam, 4. Karanam, 5. Achitham, 6. Theeptham, 7. Sookshmnam, 8. Sakaschiram, 9. Anjiman, 10. Suppirabetham, 11. Vijayam, 12. Nischuvasam, 13. Swayambuvam, 14. Analam, 15. Veeram, 16. Rowravam, 17. Magudam, 18. Vimalam, 19. Chandragnanam, 20. Mukavimbam, 21. Purorjeetham, 22. Ilalitham, 23. Chittam, 24. Santhanam, 25. Saruvoktham, 26. Paramecbhuram, 27. Kiranam, 28. Vathulam.

19. Question : Are there any more Agamas? 

Answer : There are others such as Vama &c. They cannot be considered as Siva Agamas.

20. Question : What is the difference between Vedas and Agamas? 

Answer : Vedas are general Science but Agamas are special science relating to Saivism.

21. Question : What is Vedanta? 

Answer : They are the Upanishads that deal with the rational aspect of the Vedas.

22. Question : What is Siddhanta? 

Answer : They are the rational or gnanamarga of the Agamas.

23. Question : What does Siddhanta mean? 

Answer : The true end. The ultimate goal.

21 & 25. Question : How many Vedangams are there? 

Answer : Six, viz. 

Mantras, Vyakaranam (Grammar), Nikandu (Dictionary), Santhopichitham (Logic), Nirutham (commentary) and Sothidam (astrology).

26. Question : Are there Siddhanta Sastras in Tamil? 

Answer : Yes.

27. Question : How many? 

Answer : Fourteen.

28. Question : Name them? 

Answer : 1. Tiruvunthiar, 2. Tirukalitrupadiar, 3. Sivagnanabotham, 4. Sivagnana Siddhiar, 5. Irupahirupathu, 6. Unmaivilakkam, 7. Sivaprakasam, 8. Tiruvarutpayan, 9. Vinavenba, 10. Potripatrodai, 11. Kodaikavi, 12. Nenchuviduthuthu, 13. Unmainerivilakam, 14. Sankarpanirakaranam.

29. Question : Of these, which is the revealed original work? 

Answer : Sivagnanabotham.

30. Question : Which is the secondary work? 

Answer : Sivagnanasiddhiar.

31. Question : What are the allied works or works based on the above? 

Answer : Sivaprakasam &c.

32. Question : Who is the author of Sivagnanabotham? 

Answer : Meikanda Devar of Tiruvennainallur, (The original text is from the Agama and hence revealed.)

33. Question : Who is the author of Siddhiar and Irupairupathu? 

Answer : Arulnandi Sivachariar of Tirutuvaiyar.

34. Question : Who wrote Sivaprakasam? 

Answer : Umapathi Sivachariar of Kotravankudi.

35. Question : Who is the author of Tiruvunthiar? 

Answer : Uyyavanthadevanayanar of Tiruviyalur.

36. Question : Who wrote Tirukalitrupadiyar? 

Answer : Uyyavanthadevanayanar of Tirukadavur.

37. Question : Who is the author of Unmaivilakakkam? 

Answer : Manavasagamkadanthadevanayanar of Tiruvathigai.

38. Question : How many of the Siddhanta Sastras were written by Umapathi Sivachariar? 

Answer : Sivaprakasam and seven other works.

39. Question : Are there any other works besides these fourteen? 

Answer : Yes. There are many others such as Tatvavilakkam, Thukalarubotham, Tatvaprakasam &c.

 

---

CHAPTER II
ON TATVAS
------------------------------

40. Question : What is Tatvam? 

Answer : Real objects or an ever-existent entity.

41. Question : How many kinds are there? 

Answer : Atmatatvam, Vidyatatvam, Sivatatvam.

42. Question : How many kinds of Atmatatvam are there? 

Answer : Twenty four, they are:-

 

1. Prithuvi (Earth) 

2. Appu (Air) 

3. Theyu (Fire) 

4. Vayu (Air) 

5. Akas (Ether)

Nos. 1-5 are five bhootas or elements.

 

6. Srottiram (Ear) 

7. Tuvakku (Skin) 

8. Satchu (Eyes) 

9. Singuvai (Mouth) 

10. Aakiranam (Nose)

Nos. 6-10 are five organs of Sense.

 

11. Sabdam (Sound) 

12. Sparisam (Touch) 

13. Rupa (Sight) 

14. Rasa (Taste) 

15. Gandam (Smell)

Nos. 11-15 are five senses or tanmatras.

 

16. Vakku (Mouth) 

17. Padam (Foot) 

18. Pani (Hand) 

19. Payuru (Anus) 

20. Upaththam (Genitals)

Nos. 16-20 are four Andakaarnas or internal senses.

 

21. Manas (Mind) 

22. Buddhi (Reason) 

23. Ahankaram (Self-assertion) 

24. Chittam (Thinking faculty)

Nos. 21-24 are four Andakaranas or internal senses.

43. Question : How many are Vidyatatvam? 

Answer : They are seven in number, viz.

 

1. Kalam (Time) 

2. Niyati (Destiny-Law of Karma) 

3. Kalai (Learning) 

4. Viddhai (Knowledge) 

5. Aragam (Desire) 

6. Purudan (Egoism) 

7. Maya (Non-ego, cosmic matter)

44. Question : How many are Sivatatva? 

Answer : Five, viz.

 

1. Suddha Viddhai (Pure knowledge-Ninmalagana) 

2. Eswaram (Pure action) 

3. Sadakkiam (Eternal light and bliss) 

4. Sakti (Divine Power) 

5. Sivam (Love)

45. Question : How many internal organs are there? 

Answer : The above said thirty-six.

46. Question : How many are the external organs? 

Answer : Sixty, They are:-

 

1. Hair 

2. Bones 

3. External skin 

4. Blood vessels 

5. Flesh

Nos. 1-5 are produced from Prithvi (Earth).

 

6. Fluid water 

7. Blood 

8. Semen 

9. Marrow 

10. Fat

Nos. 6-10 are produced from Appu (Water)

 

11. Hunger 

12. Sleep 

13. Fear 

14. Cohabitation 

15. Laziness

Nos. 11-15 are produced from Theyu (Fire)

 

16. Running 

17. Walking 

18. Standing 

19. Staying 

20. Lying

Nos. 16-20 are produced from Vayu (Air)

 

21. Kama or Sexual love 

22. Krodha or anger 

23. Lopa or avarice 

24. Matha or pride 

25. Macharya or envy

Nos. 21-25 are produced from Akas (ether)

 

26. Prana-inhaled and exhaled air 

27. Apana-downward air or flatus 

28. Udana-air going upwards from the foot to the head 

29. Vyana-regulating air that circulates 

30. Samana-gastric juice 

31. Naga-causing coughing, sneezing &c. 

32. Koorma-giving vitality to the eye 

33. Krihara-causing laziness and yawnings 

34. Devadatta-cause of twinkling and laughing 

35. Dhananjaya, vital air that fattens.

Nos. 26-35 are ten vital airs.

 

36. Idaikala, the canal which passes from the end of the spinal column to the head through the left nostril. 

37. Pingala, ditto through the right nostril. 

38. Sushumna, the canal which passes straight through the six centres, anus, private part, navel, heart, uvula and forehead. 

39. Kandhari, the canal dividing itself into 7 passages for 7 kinds of natham or sound being produced and located in the neck. 

40. Atti, Optic nerves. 

41. Sikuvai 

42. Alampudai, Occupy the ears 

43. Purusha 

44. Kuku which connects the navel and the generic organ. 

45. Sankini, which occupy the organs of generation.

Nos. 36-45 are dasa nadis or blood-vessels.

 

46. Vachana, speech 

47. Gamana, going 

48. Dhana, giving 

49. Visarga, discharge 

50. Ananda, carnal pleasure.

Nos. 46-50 are five actions of Karmendriyas, or the organs of action.

 

51. Sookumai, sound in the navel 

52. Pisanti, sound produced in the throat 

53. Madyama, sound formed within the throat 

54. Vikari, articulate sound from the tongue or mouth.

Nos. 51-54 are four articulate sounds.

 

55. Satva (goodness) 

56. Rajas (wickedness) 

57. Thamas (ignorance)

Nos. 55-57 are three gunas or qualities.

 

58. Putra-vedanai 

59. Ulaga-vedanai 

60. Artha-vedanai

Nos. 58-60 these three are Ishanatirayam.

47. Question : What is the total number of internal and external organs? 

Answer : Ninety-six as above pointed out.

48. Question : What is meant by 'adhwa'? 

Answer : Marga or path. They are of 6 kinds, viz.

 

1. Mantram 

2. Padham 

3. Varnam 

4. Phuvanam 

5. Tatvam 

6. Kalai

49. Question : What are the five-fold functions of God? 

Answer : 

1. Srishti (creation) 

2. Sthithi (preservation) 

3. Samhara (resolution) 

4. Troubhava (obscuration) 

5. Anugraha (blessing with Parasivagnana)

50. Question : What are the three tenses? 

Answer : Past, present and future.

51. Question : What are the three regions? 

Answer : 

Lunar region (Chandramandalam) 

Solar region (Suryamandalam) 

Fire region (Agnimandalam)

52. Question : What are the three avastas or States of a Soul's existence? 

Answer : 

1. Kevala avasta (the State of the Soul in its original, unevolved and undeveloped state i.e., thuriyathitha avasta). 

2. Sakala avasta comprising Jagra avasta-waking state, Swapnaavasta-dreaming state, sushupti avasta-state of dead sleep, thuriyavasta state of the soul brething in bodies in which consciousness ins not yet developed. 

3. Sutta avasta (the state of the Jivanmukta).

53. Question : What are the five kalais? 

Answer : 

1. Nivirti kalai 

2. Pratishta kalai 

3. Vidya kalai 

4. Santhi kalai 

5. Santiatita kalai

54. Question : What are the five kosams? 

Answer : 

1. Annamayakosam 

2. Pranamayakosam 

3. Manomayakosam 

4. Gnanamayakosam 

5. Anandamayakosam

55. Question : What are the four kinds of births? 

Answer : 

1. Andasam-(born of eggs) 

2. Swedasam-(born of perspiration) 

3. Uppisam-(born of earth) 

4. Sarayusam-(born of womb)

56. Question : What are the 7 kinds of beings? 

Answer : 

1. Angels 

2. Men 

3. Beasts 

4. Birds 

5. Fish living in water 

6. Reptiles crawling in Earth 

7. Immovables.

57. Question : Name the 3 persons 

Answer : 

1. First person, as I, We, 

2. Second person, as you 

3. Third person, as he, she, it and they

58. Question : What are the 6 sources? 

Answer : 

1. Moolathatam (anus) 

2. Swathithanam (genitals) 

3. Manipuragam (navel) 

4. Anakatham (heart) 

5. Visatti 

6. Agnnai (face)

 

---

CHAPTER III
GENERAL
------------------------------

59. Question : Do eyes have light? 

Answer : Yes.

60. Question : Does nothing come out of nothing? 

Answer : No.

61. Question : Which is prior, either cause or effect? 

Answer : Cause is prior to the effect.

62. Question : What is reality? 

Answer : That which exists will exist, that which is not, will not.

63. Question : Does light contain darkness? 

Answer : Yes.

64. Question : What is a natural object? 

Answer : That which does not change in its prime qualities.

65. Question : What is Sat? 

Answer : The Truth: That which is permanent: God is regarded as Sat when it is not manifest to the world.

66. Question : What is Chit? 

Answer : Intelligence. God is regarded as Chit when it is manifest to the World.

67. Question : What is Anandam? 

Answer : Bliss; Happiness.

68. Question : Does Achit come out of Chit? 

Answer : No.

69. Question : What is there in Akas? 

Answer : Sukshuma Akasa.

70. Question : Does sound have form? 

Answer : Yes.

71. Question : What is Arupa (formless objects)? 

Answer : That which cannot be perceived by the eyes.

72. Question : Has Arupa got Rupa (form)? 

Answer : Yes.

73. Question : Can body itself move? 

Answer : No.

74. Question : What are the 3 causes or karanas? 

Answer : Muthal karanam (Material cause), Thunai karanam (Instrumental cause) and Nimitha karanam (efficient cause).

75. Question : What is meant by avadi nityam? 

Answer : That which has no beginning and end.

76. Question : Can we find out cause for ultimate Prime Cause? 

Answer : No.

77. Question : Can Guna (quality) be separated from Guni (its possessor)? 

Answer : No.

78. Question : What is Asat? 

Answer : Non ego, matter.

79. Question : Can effect be produced without cause? 

Answer : No.

80. Question : Can two formless objects be united together? 

Answer : Yes, like the conjunction of the light of the eyes with solar light.

 

---

CHAPTER IV
ON PATH (LORD, GOD, SIVA)
------------------------------------------------

81. Question : What is meant by Pathi? 

Answer : Lord, God, Siva.

82. Question : Is He the One? 

Answer : Yes.

83. Question : What is His name? 

Answer : Siva Peruman.

84 & 85, Question : What are His attributes or qualities? 

Answer : Eight, viz.

 

1. Self existence. 

2. Essential Purity. 

3. Intuitive Wisdom. 

4. Infinite Intelligence. 

5. Immateriality. 

6. Mercy. 

7. Omnipotence. 

8. Limitless Bliss.

86. Question : Give an example of His Omnipresence? 

Answer : As fire is concealed in the firewood, so is God concealed in the universe.

87. Question : Has God form, or no form or both form and formless? 

Answer : He is all the above three and none of these.

88. Question : Is God changebale (Vikari) or unchangeable (nirvikari)? 

Answer : He is unchangable.

89. Question : How does he perform His functions? 

Answer : By His will.

90. Question : From what does God create the world? 

Answer : From maya, cosmic matter.

91. Question : What is the material cause for the world? 

Answer : Maya or matter.

92. Question : What is the Instrumental cause for the world? 

Answer : God's power or Sakti.

93. Question : What is the Efficient cause for the world? 

Answer : God.

94. Question : How is the Lord the first of all? 

Answer : Like the letter 'A' being the first of the Alphabets, the Incomparable Lord is the first of all.

95. Question : Are there any others who are equal to or above the Lord? 

Answer : No.

96. Question : What is the Lord's form? 

Answer : Real Love.

97. Question : Through whom does God create the world? 

Answer : Through Brahma.

98. Question : Through whom does God preserve the world? 

Answer : Through Vishnu.

99. Question : Through whom does God destroy the world? 

Answer : Through Rudra.

100. Question : Who is greater, either the creator or the destroyer? 

Answer : Rudra, the destroyer is the greater.

101. Question : Can soul give any return to God? 

Answer : It cannot just as the world cannot give any return to the rain.

102. Question : What are the eight Forms of God - Ashtamurtham? 

Answer : 

1. Pritivi-Earth 

2. Appu-Water 

3. Theyu-Fire 

4. Vayu-Air 

5. Akas-Ether 

6. Chandra-Moon 

7. Surya-Sun 

8. Atma-Soul.

103. Question : Why is the Lord called Vythianathan? 

Answer : Because He cures us of the incurable disease of birth.

104. Question : To whom will He do good? 

Answer : To those who love Him.

105. Question : How will He judge of every one's action? 

Answer : He will award reward or punishment according to each man's desert.

106. Question : How is God unknown or concealed to the ignorant? 

Answer : He is unseen just as ghee in milk.

107. Question : How is He known to the wise? 

Answer : Just as butter in curd.

108. Question : What darkness does He remove? 

Answer : He removes the darkness of ignorance.

109. Question : Has God got pleasure and pain? 

Answer : No.

110. Question : Can soul's intelligence act without God? 

Answer : No.

111. Question : How is God nirmalan or the Perfect or Pure Being? 

Answer : Just as a perfect mirror.

112. Question : How did God get the name of swami? 

Answer : Because he is self-dependent-Saravaswatantra.

113. Question : How is God united to the soul? 

Answer : Just as life on soul is united to the body.

114. Question : Is body soul? 

Answer : No, because it is an inert matter or object.

115. Question : Can we do anything without the knowledge of God? 

Answer : No, because he is omnipresent.

116. Question : What is His temple? 

Answer : The heart of those that love him.

117. Question : How can we know Him? 

Answer : By Pathignanam or knowledge of God.

118. Question : Has the Lord any beginning or end? 

Answer : No. Just as a circle has no beginning or end.

119. Question : What is His body similar to? 

Answer : Just as fire or red sky.

120. Question : Is there any difference between the Intelligence of God and that of soul? 

Answer : God's Intelligence is like sun's light whereas man's intelligence is like a firefly.

121. Question : Who are Panchakartas? 

Answer : 

1. Brahma 

2. Vishnu 

3. Rudra 

4. Maheswara 

5. Sadasivan

122. Question : How is the Lord hidden in the soul? 

Answer : Just as frog concealed within a stone.

123. Question : Is God male, femlae, nor neuter? 

Answer : He is neither male, nor female, nor neuter.

124. Question : How are Sivam God, Sakti His Power and Atma Soul related to each other? 

Answer : Sivam may be compared to teh Sun; Sakti to the sun's rays and atma to the light of the eyes which combines with Sun's light.

125. Question : Does God possess anava or impurity which is the characteristic of atma or soul? 

Answer : The Lord possesses no impurity just as the Akas does not possess the impurities pertaining to the air.

126 & 127 , Question : How many kinds of Saktis (Powers) does the Lord God possess? 

Answer : 

1. Para Sakti (Divine life) 

2. Tirodana Sakti (Power that conceals) 

3. Kriya Sakti (Divine energy) 

4. Icha Sakti (Divine Will) 

5. Gnana Sakti (Divine Intelligence)

128. Question : What is the form of Parasakti? 

Answer : Form of Intelligence.

129. Question : What is meant by Tirodana Sakti? 

Answer : The Power that conceals anything.

130. Question : How is Lord united to Sakti (Power)? 

Answer : Just as the odor in flowers, the coldness in the water, the heat in the fire.

131. Question : Has God got the actions of Intelligence and Will? 

Answer : Yes.

132. Question : Into how many kinds can God be classed according to the several Divine Powers or Sakti? 

Answer : May be classed into

 

1. Sattar 

2. Uttiyuttar 

3. Piraviruttar.

133. Question : Who is that that performs the Subtle five functions? 

Answer : Sattar.

134. Question : Has Sattar any other name? 

Answer : He is called also Ilayar.

 

---

CHAPTER V
ON PASU (SOUL)
-------------------------------

135. Question : What is meant by Pasu? 

Answer : That which is bound, soul.

136. Question : By what is it bound? 

Answer : By anavamala or soul's inherent impurity or imperfection.

137. Question : What is the other name for atma which is bound by anavamala? 

Answer : Anu or atom.

138. Question : Why is to so called? 

Answer : Because the all-pervading nature of atma has become limited to an atom by its bondage.

139. Question : Is Atma (soul) only one or many? 

Answer : The souls are numerous.

140. Question : What is the chief characteristic of Atma (soul)? 

Answer : It becomes one with which it is united (like a mirror).

141. Question : How is atma related to God? 

Answer : Soul is Vyappya (continued) in God.

142. Question : Does Atma emanate from God? 

Answer : It does not seem to have emanated from God, because it does not possess the characteristics of God.

143. Question : Is it a punishment to Atma in being given a body? 

Answer : No. It is a help like the lamp given to a person in the dark.

144. Question : How many avastas (states) has Atma? 

Answer : 5 avastas or states, viz.

 

1. Jagra avasta (waking state) 

2. Swapna avasta (dreaming state) 

3. Sushupti avasta (state of dead sleep) 

4. Thuiha avasta (state of the soul breathing in bodies, in which consciousness is not yet developed). 

5. Thuriyathitham (the state of the soul in its original, unevolved and undeveloped state).

145. Question : Has Atma got the 3 powers, Icha sakti (will power), Gnana sakti (power of intelligence) and Kriya sakti (power of action)? 

Answer : Yes.

146. Question : Who is that which enjoys the bliss which is the property of our Lord God? 

Answer : Only this atma.

147. Question : Do the souls decrease in number? 

Answer : No.

148. Question : How does soul live in God? 

Answer : Just as fish live in water.

149. Question : What is the name for Atmabotham or soul intelligence? 

Answer : Tharbotham (self knowledge).

150. Question : Is soul's intelligence permanent or unchangeable? 

Answer : No. It is not permanent as it is subject to 3 gunas.

151. Question : How does the soul know itself? 

Answer : It knows itself if God makes it know.

152. Question : Why is soul imprisoned in body? 

Answer : To reap the fruits of its past actions.

153. Question : How is that the souls become different objects? 

Answer : By calling them as I and you and by enjoying pain or pleasure and by difference of intelligence, they appear different.

154. Question : For whom is the world created? 

Answer : For souls.

155. Question : What are the 3 states of the soul? 

Answer : Kevala state, Sakala avasta and Sutha state (vide Q 52).

156, 157 & 158, Question : Explain the above 3 states? 

Answer : Vide question 52.

159. Question : How many orders of Atmas are there? 

Answer : 

1. Sakalar (souls of the last order possessing all the 3 Mala Bantham, and includes all sentient beings and Devas). 

2. Pralayakalar (souls with the fetters of Karma mala and Anavamala). 

3. Vignanakalar (the highest of the 3 order of souls. They have only Anava mala).

160. Question : To which order do we belong? 

Answer : Sakalar.

161. Question : What is Sakalar? 

Answer : Souls possessing all the 3 mala banthams, and comprising all sentient beings and Devas.

 

---

CHAPTER VI
ON PASA (BOND OR IMPURITY)
----------------------------------------------------

162. Question : How many kinds of Pasa are there? 

Answer : Three kinds of bandams which fetter the soul are:-

 

1. Anavam (Ignorance the souls's inherent impurity or imperfection). 

2. Karma (the sum total of human action, involved as cause and effect, producing pleasure and pain, and causing rebirths). 

3. Maya (cosmic matter).

163. Question : How is Anavam united to Atma? 

Answer : Just as rust is present in copper eternally.

164. Question : What are the 8 qualities of Anava (ignorance)? 

Answer : 

1. Vikarppam (difference, error) 

2. Karppam (agreement) 

3. Krotham (hate) 

4. Mogam (desire, lust) 

5. Kolai (murder) 

6. Agnar (pain) 

7. Matham (fury) 

8. Nagai (laughing)

165. Question : How does inert Anava act? 

Answer : Just as posion.

166. Question : How will God get rid of Anava Sakti? 

Answer : By giving it material body.

167. Question : How will anava sakti disappear? 

Answer : By perception of the True.

168. Question : What does Anavamalam resemble? 

Answer : It pervades like darkness.

169. Question : What kind of desire will anava create? 

Answer : It will create desires and passions which are low and bring only pain.

170. Question : How does anava hide Siva from the soul? 

Answer : Just as cloud covers the sun from the world.

171. Question : Is the anava destroyed in mukti (salvation)? 

Answer : It will not be destroyed, but its power alone will be lost.

172. Question : What is karma? 

Answer : Our actions are karmas.

173. Question : How many kinds are they? 

Answer : Good deeds and bad deeds.

174. Question : What are the sources through which the ood and bad deeds are produced? 

Answer : By mind, senses and body.

175. Question : What is the name of the deed done through mind? 

Answer : Manatham (That which is done by the mind).

176. Question : What is the name of the deed done by body? 

Answer : Kayikam (That which is done by body).

177. Question : What is the name of the action performed by speech? 

Answer : Vasikam (That which is done by mouth).

178. Question : Will good deeds be balanced with by bad deeds, and bad deeds by good deeds? 

Answer : No. The fruits of each must be enjoyed separately.

179. Question : What is good? 

Answer : Good is that which we do according to the teachings of Vedas and Agamas.

180. Question : What is evil? 

Answer : That which we do in contravention of scriptural teachings is evil.

181. Question : What is the name for both the deeds we now do? 

Answer : It is called Agamiam.

182. Question : What is the name for the deeds we now enjoy? 

Answer : Prarathvam.

183. Question : What is the name for the deeds remaining unenjoyed? 

Answer : Sanchitham.

184. Question : How can Sanchitham be got rid of? 

Answer : By the grace of Guru or spiritual teacher.

185. Question : How can agamia be got rid of? 

Answer : By meditation or religious practice.

186. Question : How is Prarathvam got rid of? 

Answer : By the death of the body.

187. Question : How is karma got rid of? 

Answer : By atonement and suffering.

188. Question : How will karma attain maturity? 

Answer : By the attainment of Sivapunyam or godly virtue.

189. Question : Is the world produced from God? 

Answer : No. It is created from Maya or non-age.

190. Question : What is maya? 

Answer : It is the first cause for the creation of the world.

191. Question : How many kinds are they? 

Answer : 

1. Sutta maya. 

2. Asutta maya. 

3. Prakrithi maya.

192. Question : Is maya an inert matter or intelligence? 

Answer : It is only an inert matter.

193. Question : Is maya eternal or not? 

Answer : It is eternal and all prevading.

194. Question : How many kinds of bodies are there? 

Answer : 

1. Sthula Sarira (the body of the soul in the waking state). 

2. Sukshma Sarira (the body of the soul in the dream condition). 

3. Karana Sarira (the body in profound sleep).

195. Question : Where do five kalais arise form? 

Answer : They arise from sutta maya.

196. Question : Where do the three gunas come from? 

Answer : It comes from Prakrithi maya.

197. Question : What are the four Vakas that are produced from Sutta maya? 

Answer : 

1. Sukkumai. 

2. Pisanthi. 

3. Mattimai. 

4. Vaikari Vide Q 46.

198. Question : What is Vaikari? 

Answer : It is the sound that is heard through ear.

199. Question : Where did Sivatatva arise from? 

Answer : From Sutta maya.

200. Question : Where did Vedas come from? 

Answer : It also came from sutta maya.

201. Question : How is the world contained in maya? 

Answer : Just as a big banyan tree is contained in the small seed.

202 & 203, Question : How many kinds of Ahankara (Pride of self) are there? 

Answer : Three kinds, viz.

 

1. Buthathi. 

2. Vaikarikam. 

3. Thaisatham.

204. Question : Is air &c. produced froma Akas (space) 

Answer : No.

205. Question : What are the 5 elements produced from? 

Answer : They are produced from Tanmatras (origin of elements), 

which are: (1) Sabda (sound), (2) Sparsa (touch), (3) Rupa (sight), (4) Rasa (taste) and (5) Ganda (smell).

206. Question : What are Asutta maya? 

Answer : The 5 elements, Earth, Air, Fire, Water and Ether.

207. Question : What is Suttasutta maya? 

Answer : It is Vidayatatvam vide Q 43. Sutta maya is sound.

 

---

CHAPTER VII
ON SADANA (MODE OF ATTAINING AN END OR BLISS)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

208. Question : What is the first Sadana or practice for emancipating oneself from Pasa and attaining Bliss? 

Answer : To acquire learning and to act up to it.

209. Question : What is the second mode of attaining Bliss? 

Answer : To obtain initiation in the presence of a spiritual teacher.

210. Question : What is Diksha or initiation? 

Answer : To destroy pasa and give gnana or wisdom.

211. Question : How many kinds of Diksha are there? 

Answer : 

1. Samaya diksha. 

2. Vishesha diksha. 

3. Nirvana diksha.

212. Question : What is the third practice for attaining the end? 

Answer : To perform

 

1. Sariya (Devotional practices, altruistic in their nature). 

2. Kriya (Religious rituals and worship of God). 

3. Yoga (Psychical practices, required for contemplation of God).

213. Question : Will Diksha (initiation) lead to Salvation or Moksha? 

Answer : No. It will give only gnanam or wisdom.

214. Question : Will Sariya, Kriya and Yoga give moksha? 

Answer : No. They will give only gnana or wisdom.

215. Question : What are the true forms of God's forms? 

Answer : Guru, Linga and Sangamam.

216. Question : How can we get rid of births? 

Answer : By uttering Panchakshara and meditation.

217. Question : Which is greater, external or internal worship? 

Answer : Internal worship is greater. It is called meditation by the mind.

218. Question : What is the benefit derived by meditation? 

Answer : It will increase the light or intelligence in the soul.

219. Question : Are there any other Nishtai or religious practices? 

Answer : 

1. To consider everything as the actions of God. 

2. To consider our spiritual Teacher as God itself. 

3. To reverence the virtuous. 

4. To consider about the mysterious ways of God. 

5. To worship all the true followers of God. 

6. To worship God in temples &c. are other practices.

220. Question : What is the benefit of religious practices (nishtai)? 

Answer : It will give Gnanam or intelligence, which will lead to Moksha or Bliss.

 

---

CHAPTER VIII
ON ANUBHAVA (EXPERIENCE)
-------------------------------------------------

221. Question : What is Gnanam which is not experienced similar to? 

Answer : It is similar to dream.

222. Question : Can you express your experiences to the public? 

Answer : You should not express your experiences to the public just as you would not tell others when you have found out a treasure.

223. Question : When will that experience arise? 

Answer : Experience can be found only when selfhood is destroyed and Sivagnanam is increased.

224. Question : Can we try experience? 

Answer : It cannot be tried, because we cannot examine the capacities of God.

225. Question : Who can show us the way of experience? 

Answer : Satguru (True Teacher or Divine Teacher) alone can put us in the way to find out this experience.

226. Question : What is Anubahva or experience? 

Answer : The pleasure which one experiences.

 

---

CHAPTER IX
ON MUKTI OR MOKSHA
----------------------------------------

227. Question : What is mukti? 

Answer : Emancipation from Pasa or Mala Bandha and attaining Bliss or Ananda Anubhava.

228. Question : Can the emancipated soul come back? 

Answer : It cannot come back just as river once amalgamated with the ocean cannot come back.

229. Question : How is soul amalgamated with God in Mukti? 

Answer : Just as the light of the eyes and light of soul are united.

230. Question : How many paths are there for attaining mukti? 

Answer : Only one.

231. Question : Which is the highest mukti? 

Answer : Siva Sayujyam i.e., to become one with God.

 

---

Please send corrections