The Grand Epic of Saivism, Periya Purunam

The Grand Epic of SaivismThe Grand Epic of Saivism is the rendering in English of the great work, popularly known as Periya Puranam. The name Peria Puranam, which was a hallowed name has lost, in the modern Tamil, its real meaning and it may suggest to the ordinary reader that it is a myth. But it is really an authentic record of the lives of sixty-three noble souls, of different ranks. Their common aim was to serve God and Godmen. A study of the epic will reveal the thrilling sacrifice and devotion of these Godmen. Sacrifice or socialism about which there is too much of talk today had reached its zenith during the periods which the epic depicts. God never let down his devotees whenever they were in distress.This epic is not merely a religious work but deals with social ethics. The saints, besides their religious life, lived up to the social standard laid down in Tirukkural. The sacred Kural is being gradually accepted as a code of conduct, throughout the world. This epic, it is hoped, will attain the same status. We hope that the day will not be far off for the world to recognise its universal appeal. It was Sekkizhar, the minister of the country in the court of King Kulothunga Chola II (1133-1150), who undertook and completed successfully the task of collecting, compiling, collating and composing in 4253 verses the lives of the sixty-three Nayanmars, the poets of Shiva. It is his magnum opus.Yogi Shuddhananda Bharati, multi-lingual scholar, versatile genius, great spiritualist, great poet and author of many books has done signal service in rendering this great work into English. Words do not suffice to thank him for this noble undertaking and wonderful achievement in his task. His role in the current renaissance of Saivism is considerably significant and we pray to the Almighty to bestow upon him a long and healthy life to continue him to be an apostle of Saivism. He has also consented to be the Visiting Professor to any university to help and advise the researchers into Periya Puranam.Editions ASSA, Christian Piaget