Saivaism is based on the Highest morality. As a course in ethics usually precedes the study of Religion, the subject of ethics is not usually discussed in text-books on Religion. The greatest authority in Tamil is the sacred Kural by St. Tiruvalluvar translated into many European languages and pronounced by Rev. Dr. G. U. Pope as a book unparalleled in any language of the world. The Saivaism of the South holds to the ahimsa * doctrines as its chief pillar.

* The eight flowers which the yogins are required to offer to Siva in their hearts are thus enumerated :

Ahimsa .(abstention from killing), Indriya-Nigraha or Dharma (control of the senses), Kshama (forbearance), Daya (compassion), Jnana (Wisdom), Tanas (Austere life) and Satya (Veracity) - These are the eight flowers and of these Ahimsa or abstention from killing is the first; Vide also Tirumular's Tirumantiram under the chapter Attapushpam.

The eight characteristic marks of a Saivite are enumerated thus:

Love to God, peace of mind for ever, abstention from killing, control of the senses, gladness of the heart, veracity, abstention from stealing, and the leading of a pious life (Brahmacharya).........

It is the settled principle of the Saivites that the abstention from killing conduces to the highest possible good. The Saivagamas persistently puts this question.

Where is intoxicating drink and where is love to God (Sivabhakti)? Where is the flesh-food and where is the propitiation of the Lord (Sivarchana)?

Indeed, Sankara stands far away from those who are addicted to drink and flesh-eating.

The Vayu-Samhita says that a Saivite is distinguished from the ordinary ignorant people by certain marks and acts and of these, abstention even from the smell of Madya (drink) and Mamsa (flesh) are reckoned as the chief.

The Sivadharmottara Agama says :

What merit a man does attain by severe penance on the summits of mountains, and also by Asvamedha, that merit he attains without any the least labour and difficulty by simply abstaining from drink and flesh-diet.