The hermeneutic method of Tirumular (prominent Hindu saint) in the interpretation of Puranic myths based on the Thirumanthiram

Subject Areas : Indian religions

ابوالفضل Mahmoudi ¹ , Fatemeh Lajevardi ² , Peyman Samimi ³

1 - Professor, Department of Religions and Mysticism, Faculty of Law, Theology and Political Science, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
2 - Assistant Professor, Department of Religions and Mysticism, Faculty of Law, Theology and Political Science, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
3 - PhD Student, Department of Religions and Mysticism, Faculty of Law, Theology and Political Science, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

Received: 2023-04-12 Accepted : 2023-06-12 Published : 2023-08-23

Keywords: Tirumular, Śaivism, hermeneutics, Mythology, Hinduism, Nāyanmārs, Interpretation,

Abstract :

One of the distinctive features of Hindu ancient texts is the presentation of many teachings and beliefs in the form of symbolic and mythological stories. In many cases, due to the passage of time, the meanings and main content of these myths have been forgotten and more attention has been paid to their appearance. In the face of these verbal and superficial perceptions, some experts, philosophers and Hindu mystics have reinterpreted these myths. Although these explanations and interpretations have been made with different approaches, they all try to provide a semantic and sometimes rational understanding of ancient stories and myths. The great Hindu mystic and philosopher Tirumular is one of these people. He had many important influences on the intellectual currents after him, especially the Śaivism traditions. Considering the importance of this influence, this article has tried to examine this saint’s life and the content of his important work the Tirumantiram, and then by selecting some stories and myths which included in this text, examine his hermeneutic approach in the interpretations of Puranic myths.

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