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Shaivism
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Shaivism is the second largest religious community in cotemporary India. It has several distinct

Concepts

and important branches, and is commonly associated with asceticism. Lord Shiva himself is

Practice

often depicted as a yogi sitting in meditation in the Himalayas. Shaivism includes the principle

Lifestyle
Tradition
Historical Perspective
Doctrine and Scripture

of avatar, but the concept is less developed than in Vaishnavism. Shiva has important forms as
Rudra (in a fierce and angry mood), Nataraja (the King of Dance), and the Linga. Shiva's
followers often consider him the Supreme deity, above all others.

History

Movements and Leaders

The Four Main

The roots of Shaivism are anchored in pre-historic

Denominations

India. Evidence of the worship of Shiva has been

Vaishnavism

found in ancient archaeological sites, such as

Shaivism

Harappa and Mohenjo Daro. In the Rig Veda, he is

Shaktism

referred to by the name Rudra.The oldest story

The Smarta Tradition

about Shiva concerns his destruction of the

Founders and Theologians

sacrificial arena of Daksha after Shiva's wife (Sati)

The Bhakti Saints

voluntarily gave up her life upon being insulted by

The Reform Movements

her father, Daksha.

Socio-Political Movements
Recent Spiritual and Cultural
Leaders
Modern Hindu Groups and
Leaders
Famous Women within
Hinduism
Hinduism in Britain Today

Extras

Between 700 and 1000 CE there lived sixty-three

Nayanmars (singer-saints) whose poems are still
recited today. Thereafter, Shaivism became the
prominent religion of India, particularly in the South.
The rulers of many major kingdoms became
Shaivites and patronised its representatives.
Magnificent temples were built in Shiva's honour
and many impressive sculptures were inspired by

Worshippers at a temple in Wembley London, pour milk

on the linga. It represents Shiva as the male, creative
principle.

him. Shiva is mentioned in the four Vedas, and

particularly the Svetashvatara Upanishad, the Shaivite equivalent to the Vaishnava Bhagavadgita. There are numerous references to Shiva in the epics and Puranas. Most Shaivite theology
though, derives from later scriptures, particularly the Agamas.There are five main traditions,
shown below.

Main Writings
Svetashvatara Upanishad
Shiva Purana
The Agamas
Tiru-murai (poems)

Important Places
Benares
Kedarnath
Somnath
Rameshvaram
Chidambaram

Amarnath

Important Stories
Shiva drinks poison
Shiva destroys the three cities of the demons
Killing Andhaka and other demons
Daksha's sacrifice

The Main Traditions

Pasupatis
Perhaps the oldest school within Shaivism. The school of Shaiva Siddhanta (below) is a
continuation of this tradition.

Shaiva Siddhanta
Followed by many intellectuals. It has a personal doctrine, stressing the plurality of souls (as
opposed to the advaita idea that all souls and God are ultimately one).

Kashmiri Shaivism
Almost defunct today. Its most prolific writer is Abhinavagupta (c. 960 1020). The goal of this
movement is to "become Shiva "and regain one's universal nature. It is also called Shivaadvaita.

Virashaivism (the Lingayats)

Closely associated with the twelfth-century reformer, Basava. It opposed caste differences.
Followers wear a small Shiva-linga round the neck.The present community is centred round
Karnataka.

Shaiva Asceticism
Shaiva has long been connected with rigorous asceticism. Well known are the naked Nagas.
Many yogis are Shaivites. Prominent are the Nathapatnis, followers of Gorakhnatha, and the
Aghori who deliberately contravene moral norms.
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"Heart of Hinduism" is Copyright: ISKCON Educational Services, 2004