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Shaivism encompasses the traditions of Hinduism that focus on the deity Shiva. Hinduism is a religious tradition that originated in the Indian subcontinent. Hinduism is an umbrella term for a wide variety of related religious traditions native to India. Within Hinduism a large number of personalities or 'forms' are worshiped as Murtis. Hinduism comprises numerous Sects or denominations The main divisions in current Hinduism are Shaivism, Shaktism, Vaishnavism Hindu mythology is the large body of Mythology related to Hinduism, notably as contained in Sanskrit literature, such as the Sanskrit epics and Hindu philosophy is divided into six Sanskrit ''{{IAST|āstika}}'') schools of thought or darshanas (literally "views" Sankhya The Sanskrit term ( Devanāgarī: धर्म Pali transliteration dhamma) is an Indian spiritual and religious Artha ( Devanagari: अर्थ is a Sanskrit term meaning "purpose cause motive meaning notion" In Indian religions, Moksha ( Sanskrit: sa मोक्ष mokṣa) or Mukti ( Sanskrit: sa मुक्ति literally "release" Karma is a concept in Hinduism which explains Causality through a system where beneficial effects are derived from past beneficial actions Yoga ( Sanskrit: योग, IAST: yóga, joːgə refers to traditional physical and mental disciplines originating in India, to the Bhakti ( Devanāgarī: भक्ति) is a word of Sanskrit origin meaning devotion. Maya ( Sanskrit sa माया māyā) in Indian religions, has multiple meanings This article is about Hinduism. Puja or "pooja" may also refer to certain devotional practices performed by Balmikis Buddhists (see A Hindu temple or Mandir ( Sanskrit: मंदिर is a house of worship for Hindus followers of Hinduism. Literature regarded as central to the Hindu literary tradition was predominantly composed in Sanskrit, Indeed much of the morphology and linguistic "Veda" redirects here For other uses see Veda (disambiguation. The Upanishads ( Devanagari: उपनिषद् IAST: upaniṣad also spelled "Upanisad" are Hindu scriptures that constitute the core teachings The Rāmāyaṇa ( Devanāgarī: sa रामायण is an ancient Sanskrit epic attributed to the Hindu sage ( Maharishi) Valmiki For other meanings see Purana (disambiguation. The Puranas ( Sanskrit: sa पुराण purāṇa, "of ancient times" The following is a bibliography of Hindu scriptures and texts. The percentage of Hindu population of each country was taken from the US State Department's International Religious Freedom Report 2006. These are some of the most noteworthy Gurus and Saints of Hinduism (in alphabetical order A Hinduism is going through a phase of regeneration and reform through the vehicle of several contemporary movements collectively termed as Hindu reform movements. Ayurveda ( Devanāgarī: आयुर्वॆद the 'science of life' is a system of Traditional medicine native to India, and practiced in other The Hindu calendar used in ancient times has undergone many changes in the process of regionalization and today there are several regional Indian Calendars, as This article deals with social and cultural criticism of Hinduism The following is a glossary of terms and concepts in Hinduism. Jyotiṣa ( Sanskrit jyotiṣa, from jyótis- "light heavenly body" also spelled Jyotish and Jyotisha in English Hinduism is a religious tradition that originated in the Indian subcontinent. Shiva:(pronunciation; Sanskrit: शिव Śiva, lit "Auspicious one" One of the Trimurtis Shiva is the supreme God in the Shaiva [1] The worship of Shiva is a pan-Hindu tradition, practiced widely across many parts of South Asia, especially India, Nepal and Sri Lanka. [2][3]
The name is an English formation from the Sanskrit Shaiva ( IAST Śaiva), meaning belonging to, or derived from, Shiva. Sanskrit (sa संस्कृता वाक् saṃskṛtā vāk, for short sa संस्कृतम् saṃskṛtam) is a historical The International Alphabet of Sanskrit Transliteration ( IAST) is a popular Transliteration scheme that allows a lossless Romanization of Indic An equivalent Sanskrit form is Shaiva Darshan (Sanskrit: शैव दर्शन, IAST: Śaiva Darśan). Sanskrit (sa संस्कृता वाक् saṃskṛtā vāk, for short sa संस्कृतम् saṃskṛtam) is a historical The International Alphabet of Sanskrit Transliteration ( IAST) is a popular Transliteration scheme that allows a lossless Romanization of Indic A follower of these traditions is usually called a Shaivite in English.
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History
It is very difficult to determine the early history of Shaivism. Shaivism (also spelled "Saivism" refers to the religious traditions of Hinduism that focus on the deity Shiva. [4]
The Śvetāśvatara Upanishad (400 - 200 BCE)[5] is the earliest textual exposition of a systematic philosophy of Shaivism. The Shvetashvatara Upanishad (Sanskrit Śvetāśvatara) (400 - 200 BCE is one of the older "primary" Upanishads It is associated with the Black [6] As explained by Gavin Flood, the text proposes:
. . . a theology which elevates Rudra to the status of supreme being, the Lord (Sanskrit: Īśa) who is transcendent yet also has cosmological functions, as does Śiva in later traditions. [7]
During the Gupta Dynasty (c. The Gupta Empire ( Hindi: गुप्त राजवंश was ruled by members of the Gupta dynasty from around 320 to 550 C 320 - 500 CE) Puranic religion developed and Shaivism spread rapidly, eventually throughout the subcontinent, spread by the singers and composers of the Puranic narratives. [8]
General features
Sacred ash came to be used as a sign of Shaivism. Devotees of Shiva wear it as a sectarian mark on their foreheads and other parts of their bodies with reverence. The Sanskrit words bhasma[9] and vibhuti[10] can both be translated as "sacred ash". Vibhuti ( Sanskrit:sa विभूतिः vibhūtiḥ is a word that has several meanings in Hinduism.
Major schools
Shaivism has many different schools showing both regional variations and differences in philosophy. [11] Shaivism has a vast literature that includes texts representing multiple philosophical schools, including non-dualist (abheda), dualist (bheda), and non-dual-with-dualism (bhedābheda) perspectives. [12]
Alexis Sanderson's review of Shaivite groups makes a broad distinction into two groups, with further subdivisions within each group:[13]
- Vedic, Puranic.
- Non-Puranic. These devotees are distinguished by undergoing initiation (dīkṣa) into a specific cult affiliation for the dual purposes of obtaining liberation in this life (mukti) and/or obtaining other aims (bhukti). Sanderson subdivides this group further into two subgroups:
- Those which follow the outer or higher path (atimārga), seeking only liberation. Among the atimārga groups two are particularly important, the Pāśupatas and a sub-branch, the Lākula, from whom another important sect, the Kālāmukhas, developed. [14]
- Those which follow the path of mantras (mantramārga), seeking both liberation and worldly objectives.
The following are concise summaries of some of the major schools of Shaivism, along with maps showing the primary areas of origin or present-day influence and concentration of each school in areas of the Indian subcontinent.
Pashupata Shaivism: The Pashupatas (Sanskrit: Pāśupatas) are the oldest named Shaivite group. Pashupata Shaivism - one of the main Shaivite schools The Pashupatas (Sanskrit Pāśupatas) are the oldest named Shaivite group [15] The Pashupatas were ascetics. [16] Noted areas of influence (clockwise) include Gujarat, Kashmir and Nepal. Gujarat (ગુજરાત Gujǎrāt, pronounced) is a state in western India. This article is about the geographical region of greater Kashmir Nepal (नेपाल) is a Landlocked country in South Asia.
Kashmir Shaivism: Codified by Vasugupta (ca 800), this abheda--intensely monistic school--known as Pratyabhijna Darshana, explains the creation of soul and world as God Shiva's shining forth in His dynamic first impulse. See also Shaivism Among the various Hindu philosophies, Kaśmir Śaivism is a school of Śaivism categorized by various scholars as Monistic Vasugupta (860&ndash925 was the author of the famous Shiva Sutras of Vasugupta. Monism is the metaphysical and Theological view that all is one that all reality is subsumed under the most fundamental category of being or existence As the Self of all, Shiva is immanent and transcendent, a real but abstract creator-preserver-destroyer. Self is broadly defined as the essential qualities that make a person distinct from all others Immanence, derived from the Latin in manere "to remain within" refers to philosophical and metaphysical theories of the divine as existing and acting within the mind In Religion, transcendence is a condition or state of being that surpasses physical existence and in one form is also independent of it Founded in Kashmir. This article is about the geographical region of greater Kashmir Abhinavagupta was an important figure in Kashmir Saivism. Abhinavagupta (approx 950 - 1020 AD was one of India 's greatest philosophers, mystics and aestheticians. See also Shaivism Among the various Hindu philosophies, Kaśmir Śaivism is a school of Śaivism categorized by various scholars as Monistic
Shaiva Siddhanta: In Rishi Tirumular's monistic theism (ca -200), Shiva is material and efficient cause, immanent and transcendent. See also Shaivism Shaiva (or Saiva Siddhanta is a Shaivaite Hindu school that encompasses tens of millions of adherents predominantly in Monism is the metaphysical and Theological view that all is one that all reality is subsumed under the most fundamental category of being or existence Immanence, derived from the Latin in manere "to remain within" refers to philosophical and metaphysical theories of the divine as existing and acting within the mind In Religion, transcendence is a condition or state of being that surpasses physical existence and in one form is also independent of it The soul, created by Shiva, is destined to merge in Him. The soul, according to many religious and philosophical beliefs is the self-awareness, or Consciousness, unique to a particular living In Meykandar's pluralistic realism (ca 1200), God, souls and world are beginningless and eternally coexistent. Contemporary philosophical realism is the belief in a Reality that is completely Ontologically independent of our conceptual schemes linguistic practices beliefs Shiva is efficient but not material cause. Highlighted are Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka. Tamil Nadu ( Tamil:, Country of the Tamils, t̪ɐmɨɻ n̪aːɽɯ is one of the 28 states of India. Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka ( Sinhalese:, இலங்கை known as Ceylon before 1972 is an Island Thirugnana Sambanthar, Thirunavukkarasar, Sundaramoorthy Nayanar and Manikkavasagar are considered the gurus of Shaivism. The hymns sung by the first three are collected into a book called Thevaram. The work of Manikkavasagar is called Thiruvasagam. These books are reverentially worshipped and recited by the devotees. The first three form part of the 63 Nayanmars, staunch devotees of Siva. Nayanars (or Nayanmars), saints from Tamil Nadu, and the Vira Shaivas or Lingayats from Karnataka lead a multi-caste mass movement that explained the devotional upsurge of Shaivite worship in early medieval South India. The Nayanars or Nayanmars were Shaivite devotional poets of Tamil Nadu, active between the fifth and the tenth centuries CE Tamil Nadu ( Tamil:, Country of the Tamils, t̪ɐmɨɻ n̪aːɽɯ is one of the 28 states of India. Lingayatism or Veerashaivism is a Hindu religious sect in India but a Dharma. Karnataka (ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ pronounced) is a state in the southern part of India South India is the area encompassing India 's states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu as well as the union
Siddha Siddhanta: Expounded by Rishi Gorakshanatha (ca 950), this monistic theism is known as bhedabheda, embracing both transcendent Shiva Being and immanent Shiva Becoming. Gorakshanath (also known as Gorakhnath) was an 11th to 12th century Nath Yogi, connected to Shaivism as one of the two Monism is the metaphysical and Theological view that all is one that all reality is subsumed under the most fundamental category of being or existence In Religion, transcendence is a condition or state of being that surpasses physical existence and in one form is also independent of it Immanence, derived from the Latin in manere "to remain within" refers to philosophical and metaphysical theories of the divine as existing and acting within the mind Shiva is efficient and material cause. The creation and final return of soul and cosmos to Shiva are likened to bubbles arising and returning to water. Influential in Nepal, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal. Nepal (नेपाल) is a Landlocked country in South Asia. Uttar Pradesh (उत्तर प्रदेश اتر پردیش pronounced, Translation: Northern Province) referred to as '''U Bihar ( Hindi:बिहार Urdu: بہار bɪhaːr) is a state in eastern India. West Bengal ( Bengali: পশ্চিমবঙ্গ Poshchim Bônggo poʃtʃim bɔŋgo is a state in eastern India.
Lingayatism: Made popular by Basavanna (1105-1167), this version of qualified nondualism, Shakti Vishishtadvaita, accepts both difference and nondifference between soul and God, like rays are to the sun. Lingayatism or Veerashaivism is a Hindu religious sect in India but a Dharma. Basava (also known as Basaveshwara (ಬಸವೇಶ್ವರ or Basavanna (ಬಸವಣ್ಣ 1134 &ndash 1196) was a philosopher and a VishishtAdvaita Vedanta ( IAST Viśishṭādvaita Vedanta; Sanskrit: विशिष्टाद्वैत is a sub-school of the Vedānta Shiva and the cosmic force are one, yet Shiva is beyond His creation, which is real, not illusory. God is efficient and material cause. Influential primarily in Karnataka. Karnataka (ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ pronounced) is a state in the southern part of India
Shiva Advaita: This monistic theism, formulated by Srikantha (ca 1050), is called Shiva Vishishtadvaita. Monism is the metaphysical and Theological view that all is one that all reality is subsumed under the most fundamental category of being or existence VishishtAdvaita Vedanta ( IAST Viśishṭādvaita Vedanta; Sanskrit: विशिष्टाद्वैत is a sub-school of the Vedānta The soul does not ultimately become perfectly one with Brahman, but shares with the Supreme all excellent qualities. Brahman ( bráhman-, Nominative bráhma sa ब्रह्म is a concept of Hinduism. Appaya Dikshita (1554-1626) attempted to resolve this union in favor of an absolute identity—Shuddhadvaita. Appayya Dikshitar ( IAST Appayya Dīkṣitar) 1520&ndash1593 CE, was a performer of yajñas as well as an expositor and practitioner of the Its area of origin and influence covers most of Karnataka state. Karnataka (ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ pronounced) is a state in the southern part of India
Shaiva temples
There can be found almost innumerable Shaivite temples and shrines, with many shrines accompanied as well by murtis dedicated to Ganesha, Lord of the Ganas, followers of Shiva, and son of Shiva and Parvati. Koppal district ( Kannada ಕೊಪ್ಪಳ is an administrative District in the state of Karnataka in India. In Hinduism, a murti ( Devanagari: मूर्ति typically refers to an image a deity in which the Divine Spirit is expressed ( murta) Ganesha ( Sanskrit: sa गणेश Gaṇeśa) also spelled Ganesa or Ganesh and also known as Ganapati, Vinayaka, and Pillaiyar The word Gaṇa ( Devanagari: sa गण in Sanskrit, means "flock troop multitude number tribe series class" ( Monier Williams 's
The twelve Jyotirlinga shrines are among the most esteemed in Śaivism. A Jyotirlinga or Jyotirling or Jyotirlingam is a shrine where Lord Shiva, an aspect of God in Hinduism is worshipped in the form [17]
Banalinga, called the Svayambhu Linga, is an aniconic form of worship among the shaivites and smartha brahmins. Banalinga, a stone found in nature in the bed of the Narmada river in Madhya Pradesh state India, is an aniconic symbol of worship based on either the
There are many temples in Tamilnadu dedicated to Siva, but the holiest of all Siva shrines is Chidambaram's famous Nataraja Temple. WikipediaWikiProject Indian cities for details --> Chidambaram is a Municipality and taluk ( Tehsil) headquarters in the Cuddalore district Nataraja /nɐtɐrɑdʒɐ/ ( The Lord (or King of Dance) Tamil கூத்தன் is the dancing posture of the Hindu god Shiva, who performs his Siva's consort, Parvathi is also worshipped in temples to Siva, as are his sons Ganapathi and Murugan. Parvati ( Sanskrit: Pārvatī sa [[wiktपार्वती पार्वती]] sometimes spelled Parvathi or Parvathy, is a Hindu Ganesha ( Sanskrit: sa गणेश Gaṇeśa) also spelled Ganesa or Ganesh and also known as Ganapati, Vinayaka, and Pillaiyar
The Agamas are a set of twenty-eight books, written in Sanskrit. Sanskrit (sa संस्कृता वाक् saṃskṛtā vāk, for short sa संस्कृतम् saṃskṛtam) is a historical Each temple follows its own Agama. The architecture and layout, the locations of the images, and directions for methods of worship are all prescribed, and no deviation is allowed. Shiva temples have a tall multi-storied gopuram at the entrance and are enclosed in a high wall. A Gopuram or gopura (also known as a vimanam) is a monumental tower usually ornate at the entrance of a temple especially in Southern India. The lingam resides deep within the temple compound of buildings, courtyards and gardens. The lingam and the special structure that houses it are placed in such a way as to face the compound entrance directly; only the sivacharya may enter this sanctum sanctorum but worshippers gather around to witness the rituals of ablution, decoration and offerings, to pray and sing, and to receive the ceremonial blessing. The Sanctum Sanctorum is a fictional building in the Marvel Universe. Around the sanctum sanctorum every Siva temple has at least one circumambulatory path, and a procession around this path is part of the devotional service. The Sanctum Sanctorum is a fictional building in the Marvel Universe. A stone statue of Siva as Teacher, the Dakshinamurthy faces south. Dakshinamurthy or Jnana Dakshinamurti ( Sanskrit: sa दक्षिणामूर्ति ((Dakṣiṇāmūrti is an aspect of Shiva as a Guru (teacher Dakshinamurthy literally means "on the southern part of an outer perimeter path of the sanctum sanctorum".
"Shivacharyas" conduct Shiva worship services. Only the sivacharyas may enter the sanctum sanctorum, while worshippers gather at the entrance to watch. The Sanctum Sanctorum is a fictional building in the Marvel Universe. Unlike Catholic priests, sivacharyas are dedicated solely to worship and do not perform marriages or other civil rites of passage. In Chidambaram and a few other places adhisaivas are allowed to perform the ceremonies. WikipediaWikiProject Indian cities for details --> Chidambaram is a Municipality and taluk ( Tehsil) headquarters in the Cuddalore district Services are held daily, as many as six each day depending on the resources and the popularity of the temple. The usual service consists of the following: first, the figure of the deity is anointed with oil, water, milk, ghee, honey, curd, various juices, sandalwood paste, and others before being showered with blossoms. An oil is a substance that is in a viscous Liquid state ( "oily") at ambient temperatures or slightly warmer and is Milk is an opaque white liquid produced by the Mammary glands of female Mammals (including Monotremes. Ghee ( Hindi घी ghī, Urdu گھی ghī, Punjabi ਘਿਉ/گھیو ghiu, Kashmiri ग्याव/گیاو Honey is a sweet and Viscous fluid produced by Honey bees (and some other species and derived from the nectar of Flowers According to the Curd is a Dairy product obtained by curdling (coagulating Milk with Rennet or an edible Acidic substance such as Lemon juice for the film industry in India see Cinema of Karnataka Sandalwood is the name for several fragrant Woods and their Essential Then it is dressed in the traditional way of Tamilnadu, adorned with jewels and flower garlands. Incense is burned, followed by a food offering (usually a rice preparation). Beautiful lamps of various designs are lit and presented to the image of the deity. Camphor is lit and presented. } Camphor is a waxy white or transparent solid with a strong aromatic odor The burning camphor is then carried to the congregation. The worshippers reverentially show their palms over it before placing their palms over their eyes, some say this gesture signifies that the devotion is as precious to the worshipper as his or her own sight. Finally sacred ash and kungumam are distributed into the upraised palms of the worshippers, who touch it onto their foreheads. Kumkum (Sanskrit कुङ्कुमम् kuṅkumam, Tamil குங்குமம் kungumam)- is a powder used for social and religious markings in Hinduism The worshippers then process along the circumambulation at least once before bowing low in prayer before the sanctum sanctorum, singing and reciting verses from the Vedic hymns, the Thevaram and others. WikipediaWikiProject Indian cities for details --> Thevaram is a Panchayat town in Theni district in the Indian state of
Home worship
People also worship Shiva at home. They have natural lingam-shaped stones to which they perform ablution flower-worship and Nivedhanam, a type of food-offering.
Beyond India
Shaivism left a major imprint on the intellectual life of classical Cambodia, Champa in what is today south Vietnam, Java, Kashmir and the Tamil land. The wave of Saivite devotionalism that swept through late classical and early medieval India redefined Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Shaivite worship legitimized several ruling dynasties in pre-modern India be they the Chola, the Rajput or tribal. A similar trend was witnessed in early medieval Indonesia with the Majapahit empire and pre-Islamic Malaya. [18][19]
See also
Notes
- ^ Flood (1996), p. Shaivism (also spelled "Saivism" refers to the religious traditions of Hinduism that focus on the deity Shiva. See also Shaivism Shaiva (or Saiva Siddhanta is a Shaivaite Hindu school that encompasses tens of millions of adherents predominantly in See also Shaivism Among the various Hindu philosophies, Kaśmir Śaivism is a school of Śaivism categorized by various scholars as Monistic Lingayatism or Veerashaivism is a Hindu religious sect in India but a Dharma. Ayyavazhi (aiavəɻɪ( Tamil:அய்யாவழி Ayyavali - "Path of the father") is a dharmic belief system that originated Vaishnavism is a tradition of Hinduism, distinguished from other schools by its worship of Vishnu or its associated avatars principally as Rama and Shaktism ( Sanskrit: Śāktaṃ sa शाक्तं lit "doctrine of power" or "doctrine of the Goddess") is a denomination of 149.
- ^ Flood (1996), p. 17
- ^ Keay, p. xxvii.
- ^ Tattwananda 1984, p. 45.
- ^ For dating to 400-200 BCE see: Flood (1996), p. 86.
- ^ For Śvetāśvatara Upanishad as a systematic philosophy of Shaivism see: Chakravarti 1994, p. 9.
- ^ Flood (1996), p. 153.
- ^ For Gupta Dynasty (c. 320 - 500 CE) and Puranic religion as important to the spread across the subcontinent, see: Flood (1996), p. 154.
- ^ Apte, p. 714.
- ^ Apte, p. 866
- ^ For an overview of the Shaiva Traditions, see Flood, Gavin, "The Śaiva Traditions", in: Flood (2003), pp. 200-228.
- ^ Tattwananda 1984, p. 54.
- ^ For overview of Sanderson's method of grouping, see: Flood (2003), p. 206.
- ^ For the classifiction of Sanderson into atimārga and mantramārga, and characterization of the Pāśupatas, Lākula, and Kālāmukhas, see: Flood (2003), p. 206.
- ^ For the Pāśupatas as the oldest named Śaiva group, see: Flood (2003), p. 206.
- ^ For Pāśupata as an ascetic movement see: Michaels (2004), p. 62.
- ^ For a list of the twelve Jyotirlinga shrines, and mention of them in the Śiva and Skanda Puranas, see: Chakravarti 1994, pp. 139-140.
- ^ Sastri, K. A. Nilakanta. "A Historical Sketch of Saivism", in: Bhattacharyya (1956), Volume IV pages 63 -78.
- ^ For more on the subject of Saivite influence on Indonesia, one could read N. J. Krom, Inleiding tot de Hindoe-Javaansche Kunst/Introduction to Hindu-Javanese Art, The Hague, Martinus Nijhof, 1923
References
- Bhandarkar, Ramakrishna Gopal (1913). Vaisnavism, Śaivism, and Minor Religious Systems. New Delhi: Asian Educational Services. ISBN 81-206-0122-X. Third AES reprint edition, 1995.
- Bhattacharyya (Editor), Haridas (1956). The Cultural Heritage of India. Calcutta: The Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture. Four volumes.
- Chakravarti, Mahadev (1994), written at Delhi, The Concept of Rudra-Śiva Through The Ages (Second Revised ed. ), Motilal Banarsidass, ISBN 81-208-0053-2
- Flood, Gavin (1996). An Introduction to Hinduism. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0-521-43878-0.
- Flood, Gavin (Editor) (2003). The Blackwell Companion to Hinduism. Malden, MA: Blackwell Publishing Ltd. . ISBN 1-4051-3251-5.
- Keay, John (2000). India: A History. New York: Grove Press. ISBN 0-8021-3797-0.
- Tattwananda, Swami (1984), written at Calcutta, Vaisnava Sects, Saiva Sects, Mother Worship (First Revised ed. ), Firma KLM Private Ltd.
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