Sivavakkiyar

Sivavakkiyar (sometimes Civavakkiyar) was a great Tamil Poet who lived in the period preceding the 10th Century A.D.

Sivavakkiyar was an early rebel against the Brahmanic order; he was resolutely opposed to the Caste system and was opposed to idol worship and temple ceremonies. His rebellion against any kind of orthodoxy meant his work was left out of the Saiva canonical literature however some of his poetry is well read in Tamil literary compendiums.

The slothful

Sluggards

Say: He is far, far, far

Away!

But the Supreme It

Is spread everywhere
on Earth and in Heavens.

O you poor dumb ones,
running
stunned and suffering
through towns and fields and forests
in Search!

He is right there
within you!

Stand still
and feel Him,
feel!