शिवज्ञानबोध (मेय्कण्डार - शैव सिद्धान्त का आधारभूत दार्शनिक सूत्र ग्रन्थ)

INTRODUCTION. ix
responding to the Varthika commentary of Meikanda Deva in
his translation ; and in the elucidation of the text and original
commentary, I have followed the excellent commentary of Siva-
gnana Yogi, which I think was not available to Mr. Hoisington, in
print then. I must say here that it gave me very great encourage-
ment and pleasure to proceed in the task to hear from a well known
Professor of the South, who wrote to say, “ It gives me very
great pleasure that the Saiva Siddhanta Philosophy is after all,
to be written in English. I should myself have undertaken the
work gladly, if my health had permitted the task. As it is, I am
happy you have found time to undertake the difficult though
laudable task of translating into English, the Philosophic teach-
ings of our Siddhanta Sastras.”
I hope the notes which I have added will be found of use to
the ordinary reader in understanding the text and I have also
added a Glossary of most Sanskrit names and words used in the
work. Contrary to the usual practice I have indulged in Tamil
quotations, for which, I hope the reader will excuse me. I have
largely drawn on ‘Thayumanavar,’ for the simple reason that he
is read by all alike and there is no one in Southern India who
does not know him. It is also my object to show how the
Philosophy herein expounded has passed into the current thought
of the people and their common language, for it might be taken
as true that no religion or Philosophy is entitled to be called
a living one which does not enter into the common thought of the
people and their language. I may also say that my explanation
of the text has the full approval of several Orthodox Pundits, of
whom I can mention Sri la Sri S. Somasundara Nayagar of Madras,
to whom I am largely indebted by means of his lectures and books
and pamphlets, for the little knowledge of Saiva religion and Phi-
losophy which I may possess. Of course, I must not omit to
mention my obligations to Brahma Sri Mathakandana Venkata-
giri Sastrigal, the great Saivite Preacher of Malabar who, is a
Siddhanthi and a follower of Sri Kanta Charya.
B