Who are the beings above Para Shiva recognized by Tirumular?

Question

The term "Shaivite" is overused nowadays. For instance, Iyer Brahmins are often called Shaivites, but they're actually followers of Adi Shankaracharya's Smartha sect (which I discuss here and here), and simply adopt Shiva as their Ishta Devata. True philosophical Shaivism is relatively rare nowadays (in contrast to Vaishnavism which is pretty common). I discussed one genuine Shaivite sect, the Lingayat sect of Basava, in my answer here. But my question is about a more famous sect of Shaivism, known as Shaiva Siddhanta, which is based on the Shaiva Agamas and the poems of the Nayanars just as the Sri Vaishnava sect (of which I'm a member) is based on the Pancharatra Agamas and the poems of the Alwars.

Now in the worldview of the Shaiva Agamas, the hierarchy of gods from lowest to highest is Brahma, Vishnu, Rudra, Maheshwara, Sadashiva. I had initially thought that Sadashiva was considered the supreme being in the Shauva Agamas. But based on my question here and my answers to it, I revised my view and concluded that Para Shiva is considered higher than Sadashiva, and that Para Shiva is the one who's considered supreme, akin to Para Vasudeva in the Pancharatra worldview. But now it seems that even Para Shiva may not be considered supreme. Let me explain.

As I mentioned above, the Shaiva Siddhanta is based on the poems of the Nayanars. One of the most famous Nayanars was Tirumular. In Tantra 8 of his Tirumantiram, Tirumular says this:

Paramparam and Para Maha Sivam
Beyond Para Siva is Paramam;
Beyond Paramam is Paramparam;
Thus are states ascending;
From Para Siva Jagra, to Para Siva Svapna, and to Para Siva Sushupti
The Jiva that has Para Siva become reaches
The Finite Truth that is Para Nandi.

My question is, who are the beings "Paramam" and "Paramparam" whom Tirumular considers to be higher than Para Shiva? And what is the exact distinction between Para Shiva, Paramam, and Paramparam? What are their roles, their nature, etc.?

Are there any Shaiva Siddhanta works that discuss beings higher than Para Shiva? Commentaries on the Tirumantiram may be a good place to look.

Answer 1

There is a saint known as Ramalinga adigal (Vallalar) who identified the ultimate to be a big light. He created the mahamantra: "Arutperunjoti Arutperunjyoti Thaniperunkarunai Arutperunjyoti". Following the book of Tirumular (Thirumandiram) he attained the form of light. But in his lectures and poems he insists on "Sympathy" (Dayavu) towards fellow beings and offering food to the hungry to get the grace of the ultimate light. May be you can read his poem "Thiruvarutpa" (6th Thirumurai) to know about the ultimate.

Answer 2

Narayana

Saint Tirumular had indeed identified Forms of Lord Rudra, which are beyond the Highest saiva murty (considered by most saiva sects). Examples include :-

Para Siva, Sakti and Nada Para Bindu, the Five-faced Sadasiva And Mahesa And Rudra, Mal and Brahma. Thus in order were they created, All by Hara ~ Tirumantiram

Here, he mentions How "Hara" is the creator of even ParamSiva. Further example includes :-

Cherish Pati-Pasam (God-love) That is holy beyond holiness; Then shall the transcendental Para be; And then beyond Parasiva reached be; Then shall the transcendental Siva Bliss (Parasivananda) be; Jiva Becoming Siva is indeed Knowledge Divine. ~ Tirumantiram

But the point to be noted here is, No Saiva sampradays, including Srouta, Lingayat or Trika, talk of any form of Lord Siva, above ParamSiva and the saiva shāstras too don't mention Any form above Paramsiva. The Highest form mentioned in the Śiva puran, is sakshat siva, which is ParamSiva ofc and the hierarchy of Brahma -> Visnu -> Rudra -> Māheśvara -> Sadasiva -> Paramsiva, is accepted by most of the saiva traditions (some traditions do endorse forms such as Maharudra, Mahakala etc in between this hierarchy, but ParamSiva is always the ultimate, the one who is the 36th tattvam/beyond all 36 tattvas. There is also a dispute related to the jivatva of certain forms, for instance Srikantha believed that Sadasiva is Brahman, while Nagalinga sastry believes he is a jiva etc, but the roof form remains paramsiva only).

Therefore, whatever Saint Tirumular said, should be respected and revered, Since he was one amongst the nayanars, but Whatever he said is not endorsed by the shāstras.