சேக்கிழார் கற்பிக்கும் பக்திநெறி

The Path of Devotion Taught by Sekkizhar

Abstract

Living beings have been classified based on their functions into categories ranging from those possessing a single sense to those with six senses. Having evolved from the five-sensed state to the six-sensed state, we humans ought to progress towards a 'seventh sense' rather than allowing our evolution to regress. The noble path lies in seeking and attaining true divine wisdom. Devotion, which initially arose from fear, has matured over time; today, it has reached a stage where human, social, and global unity are seen as achievable solely through devotion. Devotees like Sekkizhar, who were deeply immersed in such devotion, categorized the paths to attaining the Divine into two types: the path of intellect (Arivu Maargam) and the path of love (Anbu Maargam). This research paper examines these two paths through the lens of Sekkizhar’s Periyapuranam.