Siddar Padalkal (Tamil)

DETAILS : 

• Publisher : Prema Pirasuram
  
• Author : Aru. Ramanathan
  
• Hardcover : 662  pages
  
• Edition: 2020 
  
• Weight : 750 g

ABOUT THE BOOK

Siddar Padalkal (Siddhar Verses), compiled and annotated by the eminent Tamil scholar Aru. Ramanathan, is a definitive anthology of the esoteric poetry of the Siddhars (Tamil mystics, alchemists, and sages). The Siddhars were non-conformist spiritual revolutionaries of South India who rejected orthodox rituals, caste divisions, and temple-centric worship, choosing instead to seek liberation through inner yoga, medicine (Siddha Vaidyam), and direct experience of the Divine.

This compilation is highly prized because Siddhar poetry is notoriously written in Sandhya Bhasha ("twilight language")—a highly cryptic, symbolic language meant to protect sacred secrets from the uninitiated. Aru. Ramanathan provides:

• The Original Verses: Accurately preserved poems from legendary Siddhars like Agastiyar, Thirumoolar, Bogar, Pattinathar, and Sivavakkiyar.
• Simplified Tamil Commentary: Breaking down the hidden meanings behind the enigmatic metaphors (e.g., explaining how references to "animals" or "cooking" actually refer to breath control, the awakening of Kundalini, or alchemical processes).
• Philosophical Context: Outlining the distinct philosophy of the Siddhars, which emphasizes Kaya Kalpa (immortality/longevity of the physical body) as a means to spiritual perfection.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Aru. Ramanathan was a towering figure in 20th-century Tamil literature, journalism, and publishing. As the founder of the legendary publishing house Premananda Prachuram, he dedicated his life to editing, printing, and popularizing ancient Tamil classics, historical novels, and spiritual texts that were previously locked away in palm-leaf manuscripts.

Ramanathan was celebrated for his deep linguistic proficiency and his empathetic approach to spiritual literature. Rather than presenting these verses as mere folklore or outdated superstition, he approached the Siddhar corpus with scientific curiosity and profound respect. His lucid commentaries made the radical, often shocking social critiques and deep mystic insights of the Siddhars accessible to the everyday Tamil reader, cementing this specific book as an indispensable classic in Tamil households.