closing Decad (20) which deals with arousing God-Civan to rise up in him. Chapter 4 contains 31 Decads, from the 21st to the final, 51st Decade. This chapter is the crowning glory of the entire work as the verses deal more particularly with the spiritual development and experiences of the saint. The classification of the book into 4 chapters like this has been attempted for the first time. Chapter 5: I have added a fifth chapter to my work. containing 10 essays under the title, “The Trial and Triump of Saint Maanickavaachagar”. These essays are to explain the path-way to God as sung by the saint. They are the original and critical expositions and interpretations of the spiritual development, evolution and experiences in his attainment of God-hood as expounded by the saint in his utterances. For convenience, this Chapter has been placed at the beginning. 5. I have tried, as narated already, to substantiate the unique achievements of the saint from his Thiruvaachakam as eulogised by saint Ramalinga Swami. I have also endeavoured to expound his exquisite theory of unperceivable attainments in the sphere of divinity on earth. I have attempted to explain the path of devotion which was disclosed to the saint by God: to bring out how God condescended with his love and devotion: to expatiate on his bridal mysticism as found in all the 14 Decads from the 7th to the 20th in which the saint has been the mystic bride in love of God Civan and how he joined Him in Advaitha union. Further, I have pointed out the secret communion of the saint with God under “The Divine Hint”, how He, by a word, called the saint to come to Him and I have explained how the saint pleads to Him to dispel his grief at not being able to
