Without a proper explanation (urai), a reader might misinterpret the verses. For instance, verses that seem to describe physiological processes often refer to esoteric yogic practices involving the flow of prana (life force). Verses that appear to speak of alchemy are often metaphors for the transformation of the human soul into divine gold.
Upon seeing a herd of cows mourning the death of their shepherd, Sundaranatha used his yogic powers to leave his own body and enter the body of the dead shepherd, named Moolan. When he returned to the herd, the cows were overjoyed. However, when he tried to re-enter his original body, it had vanished. Recognizing this as divine will, he remained in the body of Moolan, becoming "Thirumoolar" (The Holy Moolan). He then sat in samadhi under a Kuruntham tree in Thiruvavaduthurai and composed the Thirumanthiram , consisting of 3,047 poems divided into nine chapters (Tantras). Thirumoolar Thirumanthiram Explanation In Tamil.pdf