Thirumanthiram -- An introduction

Thirumanthiram is composed of three thousand hymns which is, grouped under nine tantras.

Tantra One - The great saint Thirumoolar introduces Saivite philosphy in this tantra.
Tantra Two - The saint talks about HIS friend Agasthiar and dwells on the importance of Agastyan cult to the founding of Saiva Siddhanta system.
Tantra Three - Different yoga's and benefits of practising yoga are described.
Tantra Four - Dwells mainly on the mantra's and yantra's
Tantra Five - The Saint gives guidance to the realization of SHIVA in this tantra.
Tantra Six - Talks about Gnana and in praise of the GURU Shiva. (In Thirumanthiram, NANDHI is considered as SHIVA himself. Realizaing SHIVA is realizing One's divinity or the Divine that resides in you. The alternate explaination, is GURU is the Higher self. We pray to this GURU as SHIVA)
Tantra Seven - Deals with aspects of Kriya and Yoga
Tantra Eight - Deals with Jiva, indriyas and other aspects of knowledge that a sadhakan needs to pursue and experiences.
Tantra Nine - The bliss one experiences on realizing SHIVA is described here.

மூலன் உரைசெய்த மூவா யிரந்தமிழ்
ஞாலம் அறியவே நந்தி அருளது
காலை எழுந்து கருத்தறிந் தோதிடின்
ஞாலத் தலைவனை நண்ணுவ ரன்றே

Three thousand Holy Hymns Moolan composed in Tamil
Nandhi revealed to the world, for all to know
Those who wake early at dawn and sing the hymns, understanding the full meaning
Will Realize the Lord, who dwells in you.

Technorati: Thirumoolar Thirumanthiram