Thirumurai (
Tamil: திரு முறை, meaning holy division) is a twelve volume compendium of songs or hymns in praise of
Shiva in the
Tamil language from the 6th to the 11th century by various poets in
South India. Nambi Andar Nambi compiled the first seven volumes by
Appar,
Sampandhar and
Sundarar as
Tevaram during the 12th century. During the course of time, a strong necessity was felt by scholars to compile Saiva literature to accommodate other works.
Tiruvacakam and
Tirukovayar by
Manickavasagar are included as the eighth, nine parts are compiled as the ninth
Tirumurai out of which most are unknown, and the tenth as
Tirumandiram by
Tirumular, the famous
Siddhar. The eleventh is compiled by
Karaikal Ammaiyar, Cheraman Perumal and others. The contemporary Chola king was impressed by the work of Nampi and included Nampi's work in the eleventh
Tirumurai. Sekkizhar's
Periya Puranam, composed a century later, contains the life depiction of all the 63
Nayanmars. The response for the work was so tremendous among Saiva scholars and
Kulothunga Chola I that it was included as the 12th
Tirumurai.
Tirumurai along with
Vedas and
Saiva agamas form the basis of
Saiva Siddantha philosophy in
Tamil Nadu.