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			{{Short description\|13th-century Tamil Hindu philosopher}}

	{{Use dmy dates\|date=December 2018}}		{{Use dmy dates\|date=December 2018}}
	{{Infobox Hindu leader		{{Infobox Hindu leader
	\|image = சந்தான_குரவர்கள்.jpg		\| image = சந்தான_குரவர்கள்.jpg
	\|alt = Meykanda Devar		\| alt = Meykanda Devar
	\|caption = The figures of [[Sundarar]] and four Santāṉa kuravars in which Meykandar appears second from left to right. [[Pasupateeswarar temple, Karur\|Karur temple]], Tamil Nadu.		\| caption = The figures of [[Sundarar]] and four Santāṉa kuravars in which Meykandar appears second from left to right. [[Pasupateeswarar temple, Karur\|Karur temple]], Tamil Nadu.
	\| religion = [[Hinduism]]		\| religion = [[Hinduism]]
	\|birth_place = [[Pennadam\|Tirupennākadam]] <br /> [[Tamil Nadu]], India		\| birth_place = [[Pennadam\|Tirupennākadam]] <br /> [[Tamil Nadu]], India
	\|birth_name = Swetavana Perumal		\| birth_name = Swetavana Perumal
	\|death_date = 13th century CE		\| death_date = 13th century CE
	\|nationality =		\| nationality =
	\|death_place = [[Thiruvennainallur]]<br /> [[Tamil Nadu]], India		\| death_place = [[Thiruvennainallur]]<br /> [[Tamil Nadu]], India
	\|guru = ~~Rishi~~ Paranjyoti		\| guru = Paranjyoti
	\|philosophy = [[~~Saiva~~ Siddhanta]]		\| philosophy = [[Shaiva Siddhanta]]
	\|honors =		\| honors =
	\|known_for = Expounded [[~~Saiva~~ Siddhanta]]		\| known_for = Expounded [[Shaiva Siddhanta]]
	\|founder = Tamil [[~~Saiva~~ Siddhanta\|Siddhantism]] and<br>Lineage of Santana Kuravar		\| founder = Tamil [[Shaiva Siddhanta\|Siddhantism]] and<br>Lineage of Santana Kuravar
	\|literary_works = ''Śiva Jñāna Bodham''		\| literary_works = ''Śiva Jñāna Bodham''
	}}		}}

	'''Meykandar''' ({{~~lang-~~ta\|மெய்கண்டார்}}, Meykaṇṭār, lit. ''the truth seer''), also known as '''Meykanda Devar''', was a 13th-century philosopher and theologian who contributed to the [[Shaiva Siddhanta]] school [[Shaivism]].<ref>{{cite book\|last1=Subramuniyaswami\|first1=Satguru Sivaya\|title=Dancing with Siva: Hinduism's Contemporary Catechism\|date=2003\|publisher=Himalayan Academy Publications\|isbn=9780945497899\|page=253\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=h78QlF7pX-0C}}</ref><ref>{{cite book \| url=https://books.google.com/books?isbn=8188643017 \| title=The Śrīkara Bhāshya: Introduction Volume 1 of The Śrīkara Bhāshya: Being the Vīrasaiva Commentary on the Vēdānta Sūtras. \| publisher=Conjeeveram Hayavadana Rao, Akshaya Prakashan \| author=́Sripatipandita \| year=1936 \| isbn=9788188643011}}</ref><ref name="shas">{{cite book \| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eVcZAAAAIAAJ \| title=Contemporary Indian Literature, Volume 5 \| publisher=Shastry. S.L \| year=1965 \| pages=23}}</ref> His literary work known as ''Śiva Jñāna Bodham'' on Shaiva Siddhanta has enjoyed great vogue and prestige among [[Tamil people\|~~Tamilians~~]] ~~compared~~ to other ~~well-known [[~~Hindu ~~Philosophy\|Hindu philosophies]] such as~~ [[Advaita]] of [[Adi Shankara]] and [[Vishistadvaita]] of [[Ramanuja]].<ref name = sidda>{{cite book\|last1=Siddalingaiah\|first1=T. B.\|title=Origin and Development of Saiva Siddhanta Upto 14th Century\|date=1979\|publisher=Madurai Kamaraj University Central Cooperative Stores\|page=71}}</ref><ref name =		'''Meykandar''' ({{langx\|ta\|மெய்கண்டார்}}, Meykaṇṭār, lit. ''the truth seer''), also known as '''Meykanda Devar''', was a 13th-century philosopher and theologian who contributed to the [[Shaiva Siddhanta]] school of [[Shaivism]].<ref>{{cite book\|last1=Subramuniyaswami\|first1=Satguru Sivaya\|title=Dancing with Siva: Hinduism's Contemporary Catechism\|date=2003\|publisher=Himalayan Academy Publications\|isbn=9780945497899\|page=253\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=h78QlF7pX-0C}}</ref><ref>{{cite book \| url=https://books.google.com/books?isbn=8188643017 \| title=The Śrīkara Bhāshya: Introduction Volume 1 of The Śrīkara Bhāshya: Being the Vīrasaiva Commentary on the Vēdānta Sūtras. \| publisher=Conjeeveram Hayavadana Rao, Akshaya Prakashan \| author=́Sripatipandita \| year=1936 \| isbn=9788188643011}}</ref><ref name="shas">{{cite book \| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eVcZAAAAIAAJ \| title=Contemporary Indian Literature, Volume 5 \| publisher=Shastry. S.L \| year=1965 \| pages=23}}</ref> His literary work known as ''[[Siva Gnana Bodham\|Śiva Jñāna Bodham]]'' (in [[Tamil language\|Tamil]]) on Shaiva Siddhanta has enjoyed great vogue and prestige among [[Tamil people\|Tamils]] comparable to other works of Hindu philosophy from the [[Advaita]] of [[Adi Shankara]] and [[Vishistadvaita\|Vishishtadvaita]] of [[Ramanuja]].<ref name = sidda>{{cite book\|last1=Siddalingaiah\|first1=T. B.\|title=Origin and Development of Saiva Siddhanta Upto 14th Century\|date=1979\|publisher=Madurai Kamaraj University Central Cooperative Stores\|page=71}}</ref><ref name =
	"		"
	ragav">{{cite book\|last1=V. Raghavan\|title=Philosophers and Religious Leaders, Volume 1 Cultural leaders of India\|date=1978\|publisher=Publication Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India\|page=52\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=g-cYAAAAIAAJ}}</ref>		ragav">{{cite book\|last1=V. Raghavan\|title=Philosophers and Religious Leaders, Volume 1 Cultural leaders of India\|date=1978\|publisher=Publication Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India\|page=52\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=g-cYAAAAIAAJ}}</ref>
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	== Background ==		== Background ==
	{{Saivism}}		{{Saivism}}
	Meykandar was born to ''Achyuta Kalappālar'' and ''Mangalambikai'', ardent devotees of Lord [[Shiva]] who lived in the [[Pennadam\|Tirupennākadam]] village of present-day [[Cuddalore District]], [[Tamil Nadu]].<ref>{{cite book\|last1=Violet\|first1=Paranjoti\|title=Śaiva Siddhānta\|date=1954\|publisher=Luzac\|page=21\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NqnUAAAAMAAJ}}</ref> It is said that they were troubled over their childless state which led them to be counselled by their family [[guru]], ''Sakalāgama Panditar'', who advised them to do a penance at [[Thiruvenkadu]] Siva Temple.<ref name = sidda/> As a result, conceived and gave birth to a boy. They named him "Swethavana ~~perumāl~~", after the name of the deity at Thiruvenkadu.<ref>{{cite web \| url=http://shaivam.org/devotees/meykandar-life-history \| title=Meykandar (மெய்கண்டார்) – Life History \| publisher=Shaivam.org \| accessdate=5 March 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite book \| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TwsTAAAAMAAJ \| title=Collected Lectures on Saiva Siddhanta, 1946–1954 \| publisher=Annamalai University \| year=1965}}</ref>		Meykandar was born to ''Achyuta Kalappālar'' and ''Mangalambikai'', ardent devotees of Lord [[Shiva]] who lived in the [[Pennadam\|Tirupennākadam]] village of present-day [[Cuddalore District]], [[Tamil Nadu]].<ref>{{cite book\|last1=Violet\|first1=Paranjoti\|title=Śaiva Siddhānta\|date=1954\|publisher=Luzac\|page=21\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NqnUAAAAMAAJ}}</ref> It is said that they were troubled over their childless state which led them to be counselled by their family [[guru]], ''Sakalāgama Panditar'', who advised them to do a penance at [[Thiruvenkadu]] Siva Temple.<ref name = sidda/> As a result, conceived and gave birth to a boy. They named him "Swethavana Perumāl", after the name of the deity at Thiruvenkadu.<ref>{{cite web \| url=http://shaivam.org/devotees/meykandar-life-history \| title=Meykandar (மெய்கண்டார்) – Life History \| publisher=Shaivam.org \| accessdate=5 March 2017 \| archive-date=5 March 2017 \| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170305195348/http://shaivam.org/devotees/meykandar-life-history \| url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite book \| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TwsTAAAAMAAJ \| title=Collected Lectures on Saiva Siddhanta, 1946–1954 \| publisher=Annamalai University \| year=1965}}</ref>

	Swetavana Perumal was brought to his maternal hometown [[Thiruvennainallur]] by his uncle. One day while he was playing in the street, he was attracted by Rishi Paranjyoti, who "descended from [[Kailash]]".<ref name = ragav/> Paranjyoti initiated Swetavana Perumal as his disciple and gave him the [[diksha]] [[Name\|Nāmam]], "Mey Kandār", the [[Tamil language\|Tamil]] equivalent of his [[guru]]'s name, ''Satya njnana darshini''.<ref>{{cite book \| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AvkXAAAAIAAJ \| title=Saiva Siddhanta, Volume 22 \| publisher=Saiva Siddhanta Mahasamajam \| date=1987 \| page=51}}</ref> Meykandar composed ''Śiva Jñāna Bodham'', the core treatise of Southern [[Saiva siddhanta\|Siddhanta]] tradition. It contains twelve aphorisms ([[Sutra]]s) running to a total of forty lines, and deals with the nature of the three components of Saivism ([[Pashupati\|Pati]]-[[Ātman (Hinduism)\|Pashu]]-[[Pasam (Saivism)\|Pasam]]), and the means of attaining oneness with Siva.<ref>{{cite book\|last1=Arunachalam\|first1=M.\|title=Outlines of Saivism Volume 2 of Peeps into Tamil culture\|date=1978\|publisher=Gandhi Vidyalayam\|pages=29–40\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GXvXAAAAMAAJ}}</ref> Many researchers conclude that ''Śivajñānabodham'' might have been composed around 1223 CE.<ref>{{cite journal\|title=The Saiva Siddhanta\|journal=Siddhanta Deepika\|year=1994\|volume=11\|page=108\|url=https://www.scribd.com/document/106050442/Siddhanta-Deepika-Volume-11}}</ref>		Swetavana Perumal was brought to his maternal hometown [[Thiruvennainallur]] by his uncle. One day while he was playing in the street, he was attracted by Rishi Paranjyoti, who "descended from [[Kailash]]".<ref name = ragav/> Paranjyoti initiated Swetavana Perumal as his disciple and gave him the [[diksha]] [[Name\|Nāmam]], "Mey Kandār", the [[Tamil language\|Tamil]] equivalent of his [[guru]]'s name, ''Satya njnana darshini''.<ref>{{cite book \| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AvkXAAAAIAAJ \| title=Saiva Siddhanta, Volume 22 \| publisher=Saiva Siddhanta Mahasamajam \| date=1987 \| page=51}}</ref> Meykandar composed ''Śiva Jñāna Bodham'' in [[Tamil language\|Tamil]], the core treatise of Southern [[Saiva siddhanta\|Siddhanta]] tradition. It contains twelve aphorisms ([[Sutra]]s) running to a total of forty lines, and deals with the nature of the three components of Saivism ([[Pashupati\|Pati]]-[[Ātman (Hinduism)\|Pashu]]-[[Pasam (Saivism)\|Pasam]]), and the means of attaining oneness with Siva.<ref>{{cite book\|last1=Arunachalam\|first1=M.\|title=Outlines of Saivism Volume 2 of Peeps into Tamil culture\|date=1978\|publisher=Gandhi Vidyalayam\|pages=29–40\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GXvXAAAAMAAJ}}</ref> Many researchers conclude that ''Śivajñānabodham'' might have been composed around 1223 CE.<ref>{{cite journal\|title=The Saiva Siddhanta\|journal=Siddhanta Deepika\|year=1994\|volume=11\|page=108\|url=https://www.scribd.com/document/106050442/Siddhanta-Deepika-Volume-11}}</ref>

	==Santana Kuravar==		==Santana Kuravar==
	[[File:Thiruvennainallur5.JPG\|thumb\|The [[Kripapureeswarar temple\|Sivan kovil]] at [[Thiruvennainallur]], the living place of Meykandar.]]		[[File:Thiruvennainallur5.JPG\|thumb\|The [[Kripapureeswarar temple\|Sivan kovil]] at [[Thiruvennainallur]], the living place of Meykandar.]]
	Sakalāgama Panditar, the family guru of Meykandar, once visited Meykandar and surprisingly became his disciple. He, later known as ''Arulnandi Sivan'', composed ''Shiva Njana Siddiyar'' and ''Irupa irupahthu'', in which he seconded Meykandar's ''Śiva Jñāna Bodham''. Arulnandi sivan's disciple ''Marai njana Sampandar'' was the guru of ''Umapati Sivan'' who composed another eight texts explaining ~~Saiva~~ Siddhanta. These four personages – Meykandar, Arulnandi Sivan, Marai njana Sampandar and Umapati Sivan are revered by the Tamil Siddhantins as "Santāna Kuravars" (Lineage of Gurus).<ref>{{cite book \| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-YoRAQAAIAAJ \| title=A Short Introduction to Saivism \| author=Subodh Kapoor \| year=2002\| isbn=9788129100122 }}</ref>		Sakalāgama Panditar, the family guru of Meykandar, once visited Meykandar and surprisingly became his disciple. He, later known as ''Arulnandi Sivan'', composed ''Shiva Njana Siddiyar'' and ''Irupa irupahthu'', in which he seconded Meykandar's ''Śiva Jñāna Bodham''. Arulnandi sivan's disciple ''Marai njana Sampandar'' was the guru of ''Umapati Sivan'' who composed another eight texts explaining Shaiva Siddhanta. These four personages – Meykandar, Arulnandi Sivan, Marai njana Sampandar and Umapati Sivan are revered by the Tamil Siddhantins as "Santāna Kuravars" (Lineage of Gurus).<ref>{{cite book \| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-YoRAQAAIAAJ \| title=A Short Introduction to Saivism \| author=Subodh Kapoor \| year=2002\| isbn=9788129100122 }}</ref>

	== Meykandar Siddhantism ==		== Meykandar Siddhantism ==
	~~Saiva~~ Siddhanta Sampradaya was spread by Santana Kuravars during 13th and 14th centuries in Tamil land is known as "Meykandar [[Sampradaya]]" in philosophical perspective.<ref>{{cite book\|last1=Mathew Chandrankunnel\|title=Philosophy of Quantum Mechanics\|date=2008\|publisher=Global Vision Publishing House\|isbn=9788182202580\|page=720\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1rxOAQAAIAAJ}}</ref> It is also considered as a branch of [[Nandinatha Sampradaya]], which flourished from the eight direct disciples ([[Sanatkumara]]r, [[Kumaras\|Sanakar, Sanadanar, Sananthanar]], Shivayogamuni, [[Patanjali]], [[Vyaghrapada]], and [[Tirumular]]) of [[Nandi (bull)\|Nandinatha]].<ref name = hawai/> Meykandar Sampradaya is associated with the teachings of first disciple of Nandinatha – [[Sanatkumara]]r.<ref name = hawai>[https://books.google.com/books?isbn=094549789X Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami (2003) "Dancing with Siva: Hinduism's Contemporary Catechism" Himalayan Academy Publications] {{ISBN\|9780945497899}}</ref>		Shaiva Siddhanta Sampradaya was spread by Santana Kuravars during 13th and 14th centuries in Tamil land is known as "Meykandar [[Sampradaya]]" in philosophical perspective.<ref>{{cite book\|last1=Mathew Chandrankunnel\|title=Philosophy of Quantum Mechanics\|date=2008\|publisher=Global Vision Publishing House\|isbn=9788182202580\|page=720\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1rxOAQAAIAAJ}}</ref> It is also considered as a branch of [[Nandinatha Sampradaya]], which flourished from the eight direct disciples ([[Sanatkumara]]r, [[Kumaras\|Sanakar, Sanadanar, Sananthanar]], Shivayogamuni, [[Patanjali]], [[Vyaghrapada]], and [[Tirumular]]) of [[Nandi (bull)\|Nandinatha]].<ref name = hawai/> Meykandar Sampradaya is associated with the teachings of first disciple of Nandinatha – [[Sanatkumara]]r.<ref name = hawai>[https://books.google.com/books?isbn=094549789X Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami (2003) "Dancing with Siva: Hinduism's Contemporary Catechism" Himalayan Academy Publications] {{ISBN\|9780945497899}}</ref>

	There are totally fourteen texts of Santana Kuravar and others admired by Tamil Saivites as ''Meykanda ~~Saathirangal~~''<ref>{{cite book\|last1=International Association of Sanskrit Studies\|title=Proceedings of the .... World Sanskrit Conference\|date=1985\|publisher=Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan}}</ref> (~~Sastras~~ of Meykandar or ~~Sastras~~ that perceived the truth). Though ~~Saiva siddhanta~~ is often identified as a pluralistic philosophy, it declares itself ''Vaidika ~~Suddadvaita~~'' ([[Veda\|Vedic]] Pure advaita) claiming that it interprets Advaita as it is.<ref>{{cite book\|last1=Civañān̲a Mun̲ivar\|title=Sivajñāna Māpādiyam\|date=1985\|publisher=Publications Division, Madurai Kamaraj University\|page=2\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hNEXAAAAIAAJ}}</ref>		There are totally fourteen texts of Santana Kuravar and others admired by Tamil Saivites as ''Meykanda Sathirangal''<ref>{{cite book\|last1=International Association of Sanskrit Studies\|title=Proceedings of the .... World Sanskrit Conference\|date=1985\|publisher=Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan}}</ref> (Shastras of Meykandar or Shastras that perceived the truth). Though Shaiva Siddhanta is often identified as a pluralistic philosophy, it declares itself ''Vaidika Shuddadvaita'' ([[Veda\|Vedic]] Pure advaita) claiming that it interprets Advaita as it is.<ref>{{cite book\|last1=Civañān̲a Mun̲ivar\|title=Sivajñāna Māpādiyam\|date=1985\|publisher=Publications Division, Madurai Kamaraj University\|page=2\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hNEXAAAAIAAJ}}</ref>

	==See more==		==See more==
	* [[Saiva Siddhanta]]		* [[Saiva Siddhanta\|Shaiva Siddhanta]]
	* [[Sampradaya]]		* [[Sampradaya]]

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Merging Category:Hindu philosophers to Category:Hindu philosophers and theologians per Wikipedia:Categories for discussion/Log/2021 June 6#Category:Hindu theologians

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{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2018}}
{{Infobox Hindu leader
|image = சந்தான_குரவர்கள்.jpg
|alt = Meykanda Devar
|caption = The figures of [[Sundarar]] and four Santāṉa kuravars in which Meykandar appears second from left to right. [[Pasupateeswarar temple, Karur|Karur temple]], Tamil Nadu.
| religion = [[Hinduism]]
|birth_place = [[Pennadam|Tirupennākadam]] <br /> [[Tamil Nadu]], India
|birth_name = Swetavana Perumal
|death_date = 13th century CE
|nationality =
|death_place = [[Thiruvennainallur]]<br /> [[Tamil Nadu]], India
|guru = Rishi Paranjyoti
|philosophy = [[Saiva Siddhanta]]
|honors =
|known_for = Expounded [[Saiva Siddhanta]]
|founder = Tamil [[Saiva Siddhanta|Siddhantism]] and<br>Lineage of Santana Kuravar
|literary_works = ''Śiva Jñāna Bodham''
}}

'''Meykandar''' ({{lang-ta|மெய்கண்டார்}}, Meykaṇṭār, lit. ''the truth seer''), also known as '''Meykanda Devar''', was a 13th-century philosopher and theologian who contributed to the [[Shaiva Siddhanta]] school [[Shaivism]].<ref>{{cite book|last1=Subramuniyaswami|first1=Satguru Sivaya|title=Dancing with Siva: Hinduism's Contemporary Catechism|date=2003|publisher=Himalayan Academy Publications|isbn=9780945497899|page=253|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=h78QlF7pX-0C}}</ref><ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?isbn=8188643017 | title=The Śrīkara Bhāshya: Introduction Volume 1 of The Śrīkara Bhāshya: Being the Vīrasaiva Commentary on the Vēdānta Sūtras. | publisher=Conjeeveram Hayavadana Rao, Akshaya Prakashan | author=́Sripatipandita | year=1936 | isbn=9788188643011}}</ref><ref name="shas">{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eVcZAAAAIAAJ | title=Contemporary Indian Literature, Volume 5 | publisher=Shastry. S.L | year=1965 | pages=23}}</ref> His literary work known as ''Śiva Jñāna Bodham'' on Shaiva Siddhanta has enjoyed great vogue and prestige among [[Tamil people|Tamilians]] compared to other well-known [[Hindu Philosophy|Hindu philosophies]] such as [[Advaita]] of [[Adi Shankara]] and [[Vishistadvaita]] of [[Ramanuja]].<ref name = sidda>{{cite book|last1=Siddalingaiah|first1=T. B.|title=Origin and Development of Saiva Siddhanta Upto 14th Century|date=1979|publisher=Madurai Kamaraj University Central Cooperative Stores|page=71}}</ref><ref name =
"
ragav">{{cite book|last1=V. Raghavan|title=Philosophers and Religious Leaders, Volume 1 Cultural leaders of India|date=1978|publisher=Publication Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India|page=52|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=g-cYAAAAIAAJ}}</ref>

== Background ==
{{Saivism}}
Meykandar was born to ''Achyuta Kalappālar'' and ''Mangalambikai'', ardent devotees of Lord [[Shiva]] who lived in the [[Pennadam|Tirupennākadam]] village of present-day [[Cuddalore District]], [[Tamil Nadu]].<ref>{{cite book|last1=Violet|first1=Paranjoti|title=Śaiva Siddhānta|date=1954|publisher=Luzac|page=21|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NqnUAAAAMAAJ}}</ref> It is said that they were troubled over their childless state which led them to be counselled by their family [[guru]], ''Sakalāgama Panditar'', who advised them to do a penance at [[Thiruvenkadu]] Siva Temple.<ref name = sidda/> As a result, conceived and gave birth to a boy. They named him "Swethavana perumāl", after the name of the deity at Thiruvenkadu.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://shaivam.org/devotees/meykandar-life-history | title=Meykandar (மெய்கண்டார்) – Life History | publisher=Shaivam.org | accessdate=5 March 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TwsTAAAAMAAJ | title=Collected Lectures on Saiva Siddhanta, 1946–1954 | publisher=Annamalai University | year=1965}}</ref>

Swetavana Perumal was brought to his maternal hometown [[Thiruvennainallur]] by his uncle. One day while he was playing in the street, he was attracted by Rishi Paranjyoti, who "descended from [[Kailash]]".<ref name = ragav/> Paranjyoti initiated Swetavana Perumal as his disciple and gave him the [[diksha]] [[Name|Nāmam]], "Mey Kandār", the [[Tamil language|Tamil]] equivalent of his [[guru]]'s name, ''Satya njnana darshini''.<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AvkXAAAAIAAJ | title=Saiva Siddhanta, Volume 22 | publisher=Saiva Siddhanta Mahasamajam | date=1987 | page=51}}</ref> Meykandar composed ''Śiva Jñāna Bodham'', the core treatise of Southern [[Saiva siddhanta|Siddhanta]] tradition. It contains twelve aphorisms ([[Sutra]]s) running to a total of forty lines, and deals with the nature of the three components of Saivism ([[Pashupati|Pati]]-[[Ātman (Hinduism)|Pashu]]-[[Pasam (Saivism)|Pasam]]), and the means of attaining oneness with Siva.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Arunachalam|first1=M.|title=Outlines of Saivism Volume 2 of Peeps into Tamil culture|date=1978|publisher=Gandhi Vidyalayam|pages=29–40|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GXvXAAAAMAAJ}}</ref> Many researchers conclude that ''Śivajñānabodham'' might have been composed around 1223 CE.<ref>{{cite journal|title=The Saiva Siddhanta|journal=Siddhanta Deepika|year=1994|volume=11|page=108|url=https://www.scribd.com/document/106050442/Siddhanta-Deepika-Volume-11}}</ref>

==Santana Kuravar==
[[File:Thiruvennainallur5.JPG|thumb|The [[Kripapureeswarar temple|Sivan kovil]] at [[Thiruvennainallur]], the living place of Meykandar.]]
Sakalāgama Panditar, the family guru of Meykandar, once visited Meykandar and surprisingly became his disciple. He, later known as ''Arulnandi Sivan'', composed ''Shiva Njana Siddiyar'' and ''Irupa irupahthu'', in which he seconded Meykandar's ''Śiva Jñāna Bodham''. Arulnandi sivan's disciple ''Marai njana Sampandar'' was the guru of ''Umapati Sivan'' who composed another eight texts explaining Saiva Siddhanta. These four personages – Meykandar, Arulnandi Sivan, Marai njana Sampandar and Umapati Sivan are revered by the Tamil Siddhantins as "Santāna Kuravars" (Lineage of Gurus).<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-YoRAQAAIAAJ | title=A Short Introduction to Saivism | author=Subodh Kapoor | year=2002| isbn=9788129100122 }}</ref>

== Meykandar Siddhantism ==
Saiva Siddhanta Sampradaya was spread by Santana Kuravars during 13th and 14th centuries in Tamil land is known as "Meykandar [[Sampradaya]]" in philosophical perspective.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Mathew Chandrankunnel|title=Philosophy of Quantum Mechanics|date=2008|publisher=Global Vision Publishing House|isbn=9788182202580|page=720|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1rxOAQAAIAAJ}}</ref> It is also considered as a branch of [[Nandinatha Sampradaya]], which flourished from the eight direct disciples ([[Sanatkumara]]r, [[Kumaras|Sanakar, Sanadanar, Sananthanar]], Shivayogamuni, [[Patanjali]], [[Vyaghrapada]], and [[Tirumular]]) of [[Nandi (bull)|Nandinatha]].<ref name = hawai/> Meykandar Sampradaya is associated with the teachings of first disciple of Nandinatha – [[Sanatkumara]]r.<ref name = hawai>[https://books.google.com/books?isbn=094549789X Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami (2003) "Dancing with Siva: Hinduism's Contemporary Catechism" Himalayan Academy Publications] {{ISBN|9780945497899}}</ref>

There are totally fourteen texts of Santana Kuravar and others admired by Tamil Saivites as ''Meykanda Saathirangal''<ref>{{cite book|last1=International Association of Sanskrit Studies|title=Proceedings of the .... World Sanskrit Conference|date=1985|publisher=Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan}}</ref> (Sastras of Meykandar or Sastras that perceived the truth). Though Saiva siddhanta is often identified as a pluralistic philosophy, it declares itself ''Vaidika Suddadvaita'' ([[Veda|Vedic]] Pure advaita) claiming that it interprets Advaita as it is.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Civañān̲a Mun̲ivar|title=Sivajñāna Māpādiyam|date=1985|publisher=Publications Division, Madurai Kamaraj University|page=2|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hNEXAAAAIAAJ}}</ref>

==See more==
* [[Saiva Siddhanta]]
* [[Sampradaya]]

==References ==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://shaivam.org/tamil/sansivae.pdf Sivaganabodam explanation by Gordon Matthews]
* [http://shaivam.org/scripture/English-Translation/445/sivagnana-bodham-j-m-nallaswami-pillai Sivagnanabodham English explanation part-1 by J.M. Nallaswami Pillai ]
* [http://shaivam.org/scripture/English-Articles/446/sivagnana-bodham-english-translation-and-explanation-by-j-m-nallaswami-pillai-Part-2 Sivagnanabodham English explanation part-2, by J.M. Nallaswami Pillai]

{{Shaivism}}

[[Category:Shaivites]]
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[[Category:Hindu philosophers and theologians]]
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[[Category:Medieval Hindu religious leaders]]