DESCRIPTION OF SIVAPERUMAN

DESCRIPTION OF SIVAPERUMAN AS SUNG IN VARIOUS THEVARAMS BY JNANA SAMBANTHER

NO ORNAMENTS INNER MEANING

1 Ear ring. Kuzhai and Thodu
2 Moon
Male & Female known as Arthanareeswarar. Umaipahan
Potential Energy (Static) & Kinetic Energy (Dynamic)
Represents Soul’s intelligence. Soul gets enlightened by
Siva’s grace. Puranam story of moon marrying 27 wives but
preferred Rohini and was cursed by his father.

3 Ganges River Flood. Controller of force. Said to purify sins. So many die
on the banks of the GANGES river. Some throw ashes of
dead to purify sins.

4 Flowers Kondrai, Erukam, Vanni, Umatham. Represents Blossoms.

5 Stork feather Symbol of victory over asuras. (evil persons)

6 Garlands of flowers, bones, Garlands – mature souls

skulls and rudrakshas Bones and skulls – At total destruction all crystalize in Siva
Rudarkshas – Tears of Siva showing compassion

7 Snake Symbolizes soul resting on Siva’s body.

Represents kundalini which is spiritual power
8 Turtle shell As jewelry. Shines like gold

9 Pig’s Horn As jewelry

10 Pig’s Tooth As jewelry

11 Hair Represents Siva’s intelligence

12 Holy Ash (Vibuthi) Reminder that body will one day end in ashes
Symbol to burn three bondages
Represents Siva Himself as purity and no change

13 Third Eye Position of Thiruarul. To remove ignorance. Then go to Siva.

14 Eight shoulders Eight directions. Omnipresence of the Siva.

Eight things – 5 elements + sun (heat) + moon (coolness) +
soul
15 Umaiammai Consort of Siva. Represents Siva’s Grace.

16 Sacred Thread White thread of three strands called “muppurinool”.

Symbol of kundalini shakti

17 Loin cloth Represents the Vedas.

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18 Tiger Skin Represents arrogance and Animal instincts

Both hinder spiritual progress

19 Deer Skin Represents Siva’ s compassionate nature

20 Battle axe “Malu” Siva’ is brave and has control over all things

21 Trident “Soolam” Represents Siva’s sovereignty.

Three prongs represent three gunas
Three prongs represent three deities to run the universe

22 Human skull ( Kabalam) Represents Brahma’s arrogance

Siva has no likes or dislikes
23 Fire in His Hand Symbolizes power of destruction

24 Veena (musical instrument) Represents subtle sound

25 Kettle drum ( Udukkai) Creation process of sounds. AUM sound. If this sound stops
all will end. Other 4 elements come from sound.

26 Anklets Produces sounds to represent Siva as Lord of dance

27 Skin colour Red , Gold, Green to represent Siva’s greatness

28 Riding bull Siva’s vehicle representing righteousness

29 Flag with sign of bull Siva’ s vehicle on flag

30 “Sokkanathar” Handsome man with beautiful body. Yet description is not

exhaustive.

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31 Umaipaahan Sivaperuman gave the left side of His body

32 Daughter of Himavan King of Himalayas

Malaimagal in Tamil Daughter of mountain. Siva has a as a jewel as part of His

body
33 Umaiammai ‘s shoulders This is to create an image of a woman who is supple
compared to Bamboo

34 Umaiammai compared to Peacock’s nature is to spread out its features to dance.

peacock
35 Umaiammai as a Swan Swan’s nature is to be graceful
Umaiammai as a female
elephant
36 Umaiammai as Manggai Divine mother always has Youthful looks

37 Umaiammai ‘s hair as soft as Honey appeared gently

flower
38 Umaiammai’s face Radiates a Siva is never separated from Umai whose face resembles
lot of light the lotus flower

39 Umaiammai’s eyes and gaze Eyes: Like a spear, blue lily, black ink

Gaze: Deer, Fish. Shows tender looks to care for young

ones
40 Umaiammai’s forehead Like a shining new moon. Arrow, Light

41 Umaiammai’s mouth & lips Coral and Red edible fruit called Kovai

42 Umaiammai’s teeth Like pearls

43 Umaiammai’s Body Like a stem with flower

44 Beginning and End Siva existed at all times

45 infinite None know Siva’s full nature

46 Immortal No death for Siva

47 Pure Siva is Pure. Ninmalan

48 Knowledge Siva is source of spiritual & worldly knowledge

49 Youthful Never ages

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50 None above Siva Brahma and Vishnu failed to see foot and head of Siva