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This article is about the religion Shaivism. For information about the deity, see: Shiva

Shaivism, also spelled Saivism, encompasses the traditions of Hinduism that focus on the deity Shiva.^[1] Followers of the tradition are called Shaiva(s)or Shaivite and worship Shiva as the supreme God. 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] Shiva (IAST: , also spelled Siva; Hindi, Shiv) is one of the principal deities of Hinduism. ... Hinduism (known as in modern Indian languages[1]) is a religious tradition[2] that originated in the Indian subcontinent. ... Shiva (IAST: , also spelled Siva; Hindi, Shiv) is one of the principal deities of Hinduism. ... Map of South Asia (see note on Kashmir). ...

The name is an English formation from the Sanskrit Shaiva ( IAST Śaiva), meaning belonging to, or derived from, Shiva. The Sanskrit language ( , for short ) is a classical language of India, a liturgical language of Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, and Jainism, and one of the 23 official languages of India. ... IAST, or International Alphabet of Sanskrit Transliteration is the academic standard for writing the Sanskrit language with the Latin alphabet and very similar to National Library at Calcutta romanization standard being used with many Indic scripts. ...

History

Main article: History of Shaivism

It is very difficult to determine the early history of Shaivism.^[4] This does not adequately cite its references or sources. ...

The Śvetāśvatara Upanishad (400 - 200 BCE)^[5] is the earliest textual exposition of a systematic philosophy of Shaivism.^[6] As explained by Gavin Flood, the text proposes: The Shvetashvatara Upanishad is one of the 33 Upanishads of Krishna Yajurveda or Black Yajurveda . ...

... 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. 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 is the name for sacred ash used in religious worship in Hinduism, especially connected with Lord Shiva. ...

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 futher 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.^[15] The Pashupatas were ascetics.^[16] Noted areas of influence (clockwise) include Gujarat, Kashmir and Nepal.^{[citation needed]}
Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Pashupata Shaivism - one of the main Shaivite schools. ... , Gujarat (Gujarati: , IPA:  ) is a state in the Republic of India. ... Kashmir (or Cashmere) may refer to: Kashmir region, the northwestern region of the Indian subcontinent India, Kashmir conflict, the territorial dispute between India, Pakistan, and the China over the Kashmir region. ...

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. As the Self of all, Shiva is immanent and transcendent, a real but abstract creator-preserver-destroyer. Founded in Kashmir. Abhinavagupta was an important figure in Kashmir Saivism.
Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Kashmir Shaivism is a school of spiritual teaching and practice that arose during the eighth century in Kashmir, India. ... Vasugupta (860–925) was the author of the famous Shiva Sutras. ... Monism is the metaphysical position that all is of one essential essence, substance or energy. ... In philosophy, the self is the idea of a unified being which is the source of an idiosyncratic conciousness. ... Immanence is a religious and philosophical concept. ... In religion, transcendence is a condition or state of being that surpasses, and is independent of, physical existence. ... Kashmir (or Cashmere) may refer to: Kashmir region, the northwestern region of the Indian subcontinent India, Kashmir conflict, the territorial dispute between India, Pakistan, and the China over the Kashmir region. ... Abhinavagupta (c. ... The trident, symbol and yantra of Parama Shiva, representing the triadic energies of Para, Para-Apara and Apara Shakti Included within the broad umbrella of the various Hindu philosophies, KaÅ›mir Åšaivism is a school of Åšaivism categorized by various scholars as monistic[1] idealism (absolute idealism, theistic monism[2...

Shaiva Siddhanta: In Rishi Tirumular's monistic theism (ca -200), Shiva is material and efficient cause, immanent and transcendent. The soul, created by Shiva, is destined to merge in Him. In Meykandar's pluralistic realism (ca 1200), God, souls and world are beginningless and eternally coexistent. Shiva is efficient but not material cause. Highlighted are Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Jaffna. 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.^{[citation needed]} 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.
Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... This article needs cleanup. ... Thirumoolar also spelt Tirumular or Thirumular is one of the 18 Siddhars. ... Monism is the metaphysical position that all is of one essential essence, substance or energy. ... The Material Cause, that out of which the statue is made, is the marble or bronze. ... The efficient cause is a philosophical concept proposed by Aristotle. ... Immanence is a religious and philosophical concept. ... In religion, transcendence is a condition or state of being that surpasses, and is independent of, physical existence. ... The soul, according to many religious and philosophical traditions, is the self-aware essence unique to a particular living being. ... In the social sciences, pluralism is a framework of interaction in which groups show sufficient respect and tolerance of each other, that they fruitfully coexist and interact without conflict or assimilation. ... Contemporary philosophical realism, also referred to as metaphysical realism, is the belief in a reality that is completely ontologically independent of our conceptual schemes, linguistic practices, beliefs, etc. ... “Andhra” redirects here. ... Tamil Nadu (தமிழ் நாடு, Land of the Tamils) is a state at the southern tip of India. ... Jaffna District. ... This article needs cleanup. ... Thirunavukkarasar (Tamil: திருநாவுக்கரசர்), literally Lord of Speech , also spelt as Tirunavukarasar, and popularly known as Appar, meaning father-figure, or a high one in Tamil is a Shaivite saint who lived in Tamil Nadu. ... Sundaramurti Nayanmar(8th century C.E.), shortly known as Sundarar, was one of the four most prominent Nayanmars. ... Manikkavasagar, whose name literally means one whose words are like precious stones, was a Tamil poet who wrote Tiruvasakam, a book of religious hymns on the god Siva. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Tevaram. ... The introduction to this article provides insufficient context for those unfamiliar with the subject matter. ... The Nayanars were the sincere and ardent devotees of Lord Siva. ... Tamil Nadu (தமிழ் நாடு, Land of the Tamils) is a state at the southern tip of India. ... Lingayatism or Veerashaivism is a Hindu religious sect in India. ... , Karnātakā   (Kannada: ಕನಾ೯ಟಕ) (IPA: ) is one of the four southern states of India. ... South India is a linguistic-cultural region of India that comprises the four states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu and the two Union Territories of Lakshadweep and Puducherry, whose inhabitants are collectively referred to as South Indians. ...

Siddha Siddhanta: Expounded by Rishi Gorakshanatha (ca 950), this monistic theism is known as bhedabheda, embracing both transcendent Shiva Being and immanent Shiva Becoming. 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.
Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Gorakshanath (also known as Gorakhnath) was an 11th to 12th century[1] Nath yogi, connected to Shaivism as one of the two most important disciples of Matsyendranath, the other being Caurangi. ... Monism is the metaphysical position that all is of one essential essence, substance or energy. ... In religion, transcendence is a condition or state of being that surpasses, and is independent of, physical existence. ... Immanence is a religious and philosophical concept. ... The efficient cause is a philosophical concept proposed by Aristotle. ... The Material Cause, that out of which the statue is made, is the marble or bronze. ... , Uttar Pradesh (Hindi: , Urdu: , translation: Northern Province, IPA: ,  ), [often referred to as U.P.], is the most populous and fifth largest state in the Republic of India. ... , Bihar (Hindi: बिहार, Urdu: بہار, IPA: ,  ) is a state of the Indian union situated in north India. ... , West Bengal (Bengali: পশ্চিমবঙ্গ Poshchimbôŋgo) 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. 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.
Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Lingayatism or Veerashaivism is a Hindu religious sect in India. ... Basaveshvara Shree Basava (also known as Basaveshwara or Basavanna) is known as the reviver of the Veerashaiva (Lingayats) religion in India. ... VishishtAdvaita Vedanta (IAST ;Sanskrit: विशिष्टाद्वैत)) is a sub-school of the Vedānta (literally, end or the goal of the Vedas, Sanskrit) school of Hindu philosophy, the other major sub-schools of Vedānta being Advaita and Dvaita. ... The efficient cause is a philosophical concept proposed by Aristotle. ... The Material Cause, that out of which the statue is made, is the marble or bronze. ... , Karnātakā   (Kannada: ಕನಾ೯ಟಕ) (IPA: ) is one of the four southern states of India. ...

Shiva Advaita: This monistic theism, formulated by Srikantha (ca 1050), is called Shiva Vishishtadvaita. The soul does not ultimately become perfectly one with Brahman, but shares with the Supreme all excellent qualities. Appaya Dikshita (1554-1626) attempted to resolve this union in favor of an absolute identity—Shuddhadvaita. Its area of origin and influence covers most of Karnataka state.
Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Monism is the metaphysical position that all is of one essential essence, substance or energy. ... VishishtAdvaita Vedanta (IAST ;Sanskrit: विशिष्टाद्वैत)) is a sub-school of the Vedānta (literally, end or the goal of the Vedas, Sanskrit) school of Hindu philosophy, the other major sub-schools of Vedānta being Advaita and Dvaita. ... Brahman (nominative ) is the concept of the supreme spirit found in Hinduism. ... This article needs a complete rewrite for the reasons listed on the talk page. ... , Karnātakā   (Kannada: ಕನಾ೯ಟಕ) (IPA: ) is one of the four southern states of India. ...

Temples of Shaivam

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 Śakti. Murti Worship Different sects of Hinduism, especially devotional/bhakti and tantric ones, have their own particular monotheistic conception of supreme Godhead from whom all other deities and principles emanate (such as Vishnu or Shiva, Krishna or Devi). ... Ganesha (Sanskrit: ; ;  , also spelled Ganesa or Ganesh) is one of the best-known and most worshipped deities in Hinduism[8]. Although he is known by many other attributes, Ganeshas elephant head makes him easy to identify. ... In Hinduism, Ganas are attendants of Shiva and live in Kailasa. ... Lakshmi is a common aspect of Shakti Shakti meaning force, power or energy is the Hindu concept or personification of Gods female aspect, sometimes referred to as The Divine Mother. Shakti represents the active, dynamic principles of feminine power. ...

The twelve Jyotirlinga shrines are among the most esteemed in Śaivism.^[17] This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ...

There are many temples in Tamilnadu dedicated to Siva, but the holiest of all Siva shrines is Chidambaram's famous Nataraja Temple. Siva's consort, Parvathi is also worshipped in temples to Siva, as are his sons Ganapathi and Murugan. This article is about the town in Cuddalore district. ... Bronze Chola Statue of Nataraja Nataraja (literally, The King of Dance) is the dancing posture of Lord Åšiva, the aspect of God as the Destroyer in Hinduism. ... In Hinduism, Parvathi (The Little One) is one of the names of the goddess Durga, also called Uma, Bhavani and Kali among others. ... Popular image of Ganesh In Hinduism, Ganesha (Gaṇeśa, lord of the hosts, also spelled Ganesa and sometimes referred to as Ganesh in Hindi, Bengali and other Indian vernaculars) is the god of wisdom, intelligence, education and prudence. ... Murugan (also Murugan) (Tamil: ) is a popular Hindu deity amongst Tamil Hindus. ...

The gopuram of the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in This Is A Vaishnavite Temple Abode Of Vishnu Srirangam, Tamilnadu.

The Agamas are a set of twenty-eight books, written in Sanskrit. 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. 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. 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. A stone statue of Siva as Teacher, the Dakshinamurthy faces south. Dakshinamurthy literally means "on the southern part of an outer perimeter path of the sanctum sanctorum".^{[citation needed]} This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ... This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ... Srirangam (Tamil: ஸ்ரீரங்கம்), also known as Thiruvarangam, is an island town in the district of Tiruchirapalli ( also known shortly as Trichy or Tiruchi) in South India. ... For the Buddhist texts called the Agamas, see Nikaya. ... The Sanskrit language ( , for short ) is a classical language of India, a liturgical language of Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, and Jainism, and one of the 23 official languages of India. ... Gopuram of Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Srirangam Gopuram, a prominent feature of the Hindu temple architecture of South India, is the rising tower at the entrance of a temple. ... It has been suggested that Shiva lingham stones be merged into this article or section. ... The sanctum sanctorum is the area inside a Hindu temple complex where the main deity is installed. ... The sanctum sanctorum is the area inside a Hindu temple complex where the main deity is installed. ... Please wikify (format) this article or section as suggested in the Guide to layout and the Manual of Style. ...

"Shivacharyas" conduct Shiva worship services. Only the sivacharyas may enter the sanctum sanctorum, while worshippers gather at the entrance to watch. 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.^{[citation needed]} 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. 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. 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. 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.^{[citation needed]} The sanctum sanctorum is the area inside a Hindu temple complex where the main deity is installed. ... This article is about the town in Cuddalore district. ... Synthetic motor oil An oil is any substance that is in a viscous liquid state (oily) at ambient temperatures or slightly warmer, and is both hydrophobic (immiscible with water, literally water fearing) and lipophilic (miscible with other oils, literally fat loving). This general definition includes compound classes with otherwise unrelated... A glass of cows milk. ... Ghee in a jar Wikibooks Cookbook has an article on Ghee Ghee (Hindi घी from Sanskrit ghṛta घृत sprinkled ) is a type of clarified butter important in Indian cuisine. ... A jar of honey, shown with a wooden honey server and scones/biscuits. ... Curd is a dairy product obtained by curdling (coagulating) milk with rennet or an edible acidic substance such as lemon juice or vinegar and then draining off the liquid portion (called whey). ... The branches of a young sandalwood tree found in Hawaii Sandalwood is the fragrant wood of trees in the genus Santalum. ... R-phrases 11-20/21/22-36/37/38 S-phrases 16-26-36 RTECS number EX1260000 (R) EX1250000 (S) Supplementary data page Structure and properties n, εr, etc. ... ... Thevaram is a panchayat town in Theni district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. ...

Home worship

People also worship Shiva at home. They have natural lingam-shaped stones to which they perform ablution flower-worship and Nivedhanam. (food offering) It has been suggested that Shiva lingham stones be merged into this article or section. ...

Beyond India

It 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

• History of Shaivism
• Shaiva Siddhanta
• Kaśmir Śaivism
• Lingayatism
• Vaishnavism
• Shaktism

This does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... This article needs cleanup. ... The trident, symbol and yantra of Parama Shiva, representing the triadic energies of Para, Para-Apara and Apara Shakti Included within the broad umbrella of the various Hindu philosophies, Kaśmir Śaivism is a school of Śaivism categorized by various scholars as monistic[1] idealism (absolute idealism, theistic monism[2... Lingayatism or Veerashaivism is a Hindu religious sect in India. ... Temple dedicated to the worship of Vishnu as Venkateswara. ... Shiva and Shakti as One Shaktism is a denomination of Hinduism that worships Shakti, or Devi Mata -- the Hindu name for the Great Divine Mother -- in all of her forms whilst not rejecting the importance of masculine and neuter divinity (which are however deemed to be inactive in the absence...

Notes

1. ^ Flood (1996), p. 149.
2. ^ Flood (1996), p. 17
3. ^ Keay, p.xxvii.
4. ^ Tattwananda 1984, p. 45.
5. ^ For dating to 400-200 BCE see: Flood (1996), p. 86.
6. ^ For Śvetāśvatara Upanishad as a systematic philosophy of Shaivism see: Chakravarti 1994, p. 9.
7. ^ Flood (1996), p. 153.
8. ^ For Gupta Dynasty (c. 320 - 500 CE) and Puranic religion as important to the spread across the subcontinent, see: Flood (1996), p. 154.
9. ^ Apte, p. 714.
10. ^ Apte, p. 866
11. ^ For an overview of the Shaiva Traditions, see Flood, Gavin, "The Śaiva Traditions", in: Flood (2003), pp. 200-228.
12. ^ Tattwananda 1984, p. 54.
13. ^ For overview of Sanderson's method of grouping, see: Flood (2003), p. 206.
14. ^ For the classifiction of Sanderson into atimārga and mantramārga, and characterization of the Pāśupatas, Lākula, and Kālāmukhas, see: Flood (2003), p. 206.
15. ^ For the Pāśupatas as the oldest named Śaiva group, see: Flood (2003), p. 206.
16. ^ For Pāśupata as an ascetic movement see: Michaels (2004), p. 62.
17. ^ For a list of the twelve Jyotirlinga shrines, and mention of them in the Śiva and Skanda Puranas, see: Chakravarti 1994, pp. 139-140.
18. ^ Sastri, K.A. Nilakanta. "A Historical Sketch of Saivism", in: Bhattacharyya (1956), Volume IV pages 63 -78.
19. ^ 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), The Concept of Rudra-Śiva Through The Ages (Second Revised ed.), Delhi: 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), Vaisnava Sects, Saiva Sects, Mother Worship (First Revised ed.), Calcutta: Firma KLM Private Ltd.