208 Synopsis of the 



knowledge ; and the results of their labour have been handed 

 down to posterity in works clothed with the best, but the 

 most difficult, strains of the rich and lofty Slum Tamil.* 

 Amongst these, Siva Gnana Potham, by Meykanda Nayanar, 

 Siva Gnana Sitti, by Arunanti Nayanar ; and Sivapprakdsam } 

 by Umdpathi Asdryar, are held in the highest esteem. Our 

 information will be traced chiefly from these sources. 



The style of these writings is didactic, and they contain 

 the best examples of Hindu dialectics, which, en passant, are 

 considered by some to be at least an expansion of the syl- 

 logism of Aristotle, if not the origin thereof. It is no easy . 

 task even for the learned amongst the Tamils, to understand 

 fully, and expound clearly and correctly, these elaborate 

 treatises ; and it must be confessed, that the effort to repro- 

 duce the ideas and sentiments contained in them, in an 

 English garb, and in a manner acceptable and interesting to 

 all, is not less difficult. 



Sdiva Sidddntam professes to treat of 

 I. Pathi God. 



II. Pas a Soul. 



III. Pdsam 1 



An accurate and complete knowledge of the nature and 

 bearings of these three subjects, denominated otherwise, 

 Tripathdrtham, is of essential consequence, in the eyes of 

 Hindu Savans, for the attainment of the only true object of 



this life the Mvtti, or heavenly bliss in the other. 



God, Soul and Pasam are the three eternal and imperish- 

 able entities, whence the universe and all its chequered 

 phenomena have sprung forth into existence, and whereinto 

 all and every one of them will be ultimately resolved. 



* There are two kinds of Tamil — the one, High Tamil, called Shen Tamil — 

 the other, Low Tamil, called Kodim Tamil. 



f (Lit. fetter, chain,) that which keeps the soul originally in a state of bond- 

 age and ignorance. This will be more fully explained hereafter, 



