Introduction The Thiruvaachakam (Sacred utterances) of saint Maanickavaachagar (775-807 A.D.) begins with the sacred letters depicting the name of God “Namacivaaya Vaazhha” (Hallowed be NaMaCivaaya). (Poem 1:Line 1). This word occurs in the mid-most of Rig Veda as, “NaMaCivaayaca Civatharaaya Ca,” which means He of the name Namacivaaya transforms those who reach Him as Civan. This is exactly true in the case of saint Maanickavaachagar. By the Grace of God I was initiated to this poem when quite young by my uncle Thiru. Akshayalingam and in due course it became a routine to recite this in my daily prayer. It is sheer coincidence that the very first commentator of Thiruvaachakam, Prof. K. Subramania Pillai happened to be my venerable Tamil Professor in the Annamalai University and taught us Thiru-Ch-Chitrambala-K-Kovaiyar. He was also my part-time instructer in Caiva Siddhantham and he used to instilin me, religious fervour along with my good class teacher Thiru. Pandithamani Kathiresan chettiar who has written a fine commentary for Thiru-Ch-Chathakam with literary flashes. During the early forties I was introduced to Diving Song of Grace - Thiru-Arul-Pa of Ramalinga Swami (1823-1874) and I learnt his philosophy of Suddha Sanmargam (true path-way to God) under the ferule of great savants who were closely associated with the devoted disciples of the Swami. He has been an ardent follower of saint Maanickavaachagar in his spiritual development and attainments. He has entreated all to dive deep in Thiruvaachakam as he has been the first and foremost in learning it through and through. He has sung ten significant verses eulogising the greatness of Saint Maanickavaachagar and his sacred utternances. In one of them, he praises the unique attainments of his master thus:
