A study of Thalaiyial in Sivapuranam and the understanding among Malaysian religious teachers

The objectives of the study were to identify Thalaiyial in Sivapuranam, to analyse the identified   Thalaiyial  using  Sivagnana  Botham  and  to  know  the  understanding  of Thalaiyial among  Malaysian religious teachers. The major idea was to overcome the misconception issue on Saiva  Siddhanta with the three Sadhana Iyal’s entity namely Uyiriyal,  Malathiyal  and  Mayayial  of   Sivagnana  Botham  theory.  Mixed  method  of research  was  applied  in  this  study.  Both   qualitative  and  quantitative  approaches  of research were used. The former was used to achieve  the first two research objectives whereas the latter was used to achieve the third research  objective of the study. The poem   Sivapuranam   was   read   and   the   Thalaiyial   concepts    were   identified   and analysed.  Moreover,  11  religious  teachers  were  selected  and   interviewed  with  a questionnaire.  The  instrument  of  the  study  was  questionnaire  with  a   set  of  10 questions.  The  findings  of  the  study  were,  66  lines  of  Thalaiyial  concepts   in Sivapuranam were identified and the elements such as Anavam, Kanmam and Maya are  found  in  the   Thalaiyial  concepts.  Moreover,  misconception  and  understanding levels of the Thalaiyial  concepts among the religious teachers were known. The study concluded  that  Thalaiyial  concepts   are  found  in  Sivapuranam  and  the  Malaysian religious teachers have issues in understanding  the concepts of Thalaiyial. The study implicated  that  the  usage  of  Thalaiyial  of  Sivapuranam   was  to  eradicate  soul bondages  which  can  enhance  the  spiritual  upliftment  as  an   individual,  family  and community.