THE HISTORY OF MANIKKA-vXCAGAi;. 145 



NOTE XV. 



Anavam, or the ' Bond of Ignorance.' 

 This is iu later (^aiva books called Anavam (= mrnuteness), an abstract 

 noun from Anu (jlj csp/ , "^TJT ) 'anything minute, subtile.' It is a 

 word in its metaphysical sense coined by the Tamil Caivas, 



The following (Chap. Ill) from the Tiru-arul-payan throws as much 

 light upon this conception as it is perhaps capable of receiving. It 

 corresponds in some ways to 'original sin ' : Sahaja-Mala. 



Presented in this formal way it is the latest development of Caivism. 

 (Xlltli Century). 



CHAPTER III. 



The Nature of the Bond (Pa(;'am), or, The Impuritv of Darkness.* 



The author has spoken of the Lord and of the flock, and here he 

 speaks of the bond, which is threefold : darkness, deeds, and delusion. 

 But especially he speaks of Anavam, the first of these, ignorance assum- 

 ing a concrete form. 



Q. 1. — What is the sorrow that clings to the soul 'i 



That (Anavam) which denies tliat there is the unceasing grievous 

 round of embodiment, and that there is also bliss and means of 

 help, is ever existent, though ever hidden. (21.) 



Covi. — There is an eternally clinging impurity of darkness* that conceals 

 all that the soul should know in regard to afflictions from birth, the joys 

 of release, and the help the Lord imparts. 



Sum. — In this and the following couplet (1) the reality of Anavam and 

 (2) its bewildering power are shown. 



[The Tamil name " Avicga," is used as a synonym of Anavam. It is also 

 called "darkness" (S. A + vidya) {ind, (ov which an<^ (^ grace) is the 

 remedy. (Chapter IV.)] 



* Annva-mnlam . 



