இலண்டன் சைவ மாநாடு (சிறப்புமலர்)

7வது 6061 மாநாடு இலண்டன் 2004 Reader - Friendly Book I had read Prof. Gopalakrishnan's manuscript carefully, thrice. It had many outstand-ing merits though, like 'evil eyes', some minor printing errors also had crept into it. The first thing I noticed in this book is its simplicity. The Author uses simple, lucid, universal style of English, with only essential religious jargon, in order to present the elements and substance of Saivism to children, and also to adults who may not already possess any significant knowledge of Saivism. I found this book to be reader-friendly and easy to understand. Its layout and fonts appeal to me. It is handy and beautiful. Although written by a research scholar who is also a practising professor, the usual academic trademarks, like footnotes which need turning of pages back and forth for cross reference, have been studiously avoided. There is also no lengthy bibiliography of the Author's sources, yet wherever needed, some sources have been mentioned in the textual pages themselves, and thus, the keener readers are not left in the lurch. Thirdly, excerpts from original Tamil works, of the leading students, devotees and practitioners of Saivism over the ages have been judiciously reproduced within the chapters, in Tamil itself for the benefit of those who know Tamil as well, but brilliant English translations of the Tamil excerpts have also been presented at the appropriate locations so that non-Tamil readers do not lose speed, understanding or interest. Fourthly, the subject matter is presented in a logical sequence and balanced manner, starting with a brief contextual history, and sub-divided into the related major aspects, extraordinary care having been taken to correctly spell out in English, the Tamil names of persons, places, literary works, doctrines, and so on, to help readers to be able to speak them out comprehensibly, in discussions with others on related aspects. It is also to the credit of the Author that the complex, theologically deep and often confusing subject of Saivism has been broken down into convenient chapters and sub-headings, and presented in orderly, painstaking fashion and style, suited to the modern twenty first century audience, with simplified lists, tables and systemic line diagrams. The influence of other religions and of the Sanskrit language on the development of Saivism are also dealt with. The Appendices and Glossaries at the end of the book should be of assistance to those wishing to gain a deeper understanding of the subject. Most of the usual topics on the subject of Saivism - such as the ancient Vedas, Agamaas, Puranas, Ithihasas and Upanishads, Sangam Literature, The 12 Thirumurais, The 14 Philosophical Works, modern Devotional Literature. Doctrines. Modes of Worship, Saivism as the nucleus of Hinduism and hence being Hinduism itself. Siva as the one and only God, His various Forms and Names, His Nature and Attributes; Understanding of the Linga, its Significance, Attributes and Divisions; the Concept of Soul, Bondage, Types of Impurities, Temple Worship, The Path of Wisdom, Roles of Holy Ashes and the Bead Chain, Aspect of the Soul Enjoining Siva, and Rebirth are all dealt with in adequate detail. This is an excellently written book of modest size, which justifies its title and objective. I recommend the book as an essential addition to the library of persons interested not only in Saivism and Hinduism, but also to those intellectually keen on understanding comparative religions. I am aware that not many copies yet remain from the First Edition which itself was, and probably still is, offered to devotees and students for a very modest price. Maybe when the Second Edition is published, this book will be introduced also to schools in the United Kingd and other English-speaking countries like USA, Canada and Australia, as a recommended text for the teaching of comparative religion. My sincere congratulations are due, to Professor R. Gopalakrishnan, the Author, to the Management Committee, Federation of Saiva (Hindu) Temples, United Kingdom, and Mr. N. Satchithananthan who was the initiator and Co-Founder of the Federation. 175 Century House, 35, HA1 2JU, U.K. TEL / FAX: 0208 424 0545 26 March 2004