Shaivism

Śaiva

The family of traditions centred on Shiva as the supreme reality.

Editorial overviewWorship of a Rudra-Shiva figure is attested in Vedic and epic literature; the Shvetashvatara Upanishad is an early theistic text. Organised Shaiva traditions and their scriptures (Agamas) developed from roughly the 5th century CE onward.

In simple words

Shaivism is the worship and philosophy of Shiva. Some Shaiva schools see Shiva as a Lord separate from souls; others see everything as Shiva's own consciousness. Most agree that Shiva's grace frees the soul.

Overview

Shaivism is a broad family of traditions for which Shiva is the supreme reality, variously understood as the transcendent Lord, as pure consciousness, or as both. It includes ascetic orders such as the Pashupatas, the scriptural and ritual traditions based on the Shaiva Agamas and Tantras, devotional movements such as the Tamil Nayanars and the Kannada Virashaivas (Lingayats), and philosophical schools. Its two most developed philosophical systems take opposite positions: Shaiva Siddhanta is dualist, holding that Shiva, souls and bonds are eternally distinct, while Kashmir Shaivism is non-dualist, holding that all reality is Shiva's own consciousness. Shared themes include Shiva's five acts (creation, maintenance, dissolution, concealment and grace), Shakti as Shiva's power, initiation (diksha) and the soul's liberation through grace.

Scholar’s note

Scholars commonly distinguish the "outer path" (atimarga: Pashupata, Lakula) from the "path of mantras" (mantramarga), which includes Siddhanta and the non-dual Kaula-influenced traditions. Virashaivism has its own qualified non-dual philosophy (Shakti-vishishtadvaita).

Core questions

?Who or what is Shiva?
?Are souls distinct from Shiva or identical with him?
?What is the role of grace and initiation?
?How do ritual, devotion and knowledge relate?

Core concepts

ConceptशिवShiva (as principle)Shiva as the supreme reality or pure consciousness, as understood in Shaiva philosophies.Conceptशक्तिShaktiPower, energy; in Shakta and Shaiva thought, the dynamic aspect of the divine, often worshipped as the Goddess.Conceptअनुग्रहAnugraha — graceDivine grace — God's freely given favour that frees the soul.Conceptपति पशु पाशPati, Pashu, Pasha — Lord, soul, bondShaiva Siddhanta's three eternal realities: the Lord, bound souls, and the bonds that bind them.Conceptतत्त्वTattva — principle of reality'Thatness' — a basic category or principle of reality, counted differently by different schools.Conceptभक्तिBhakti — devotionLoving devotion to God, as a path and as an end in itself.Conceptमोक्षMoksha — liberationFinal freedom from bondage and the cycle of rebirth.

Schools within

Traditionप्रत्यभिज्ञा / त्रिकKashmir Shaivism (Pratyabhijna / Trika)Non-dual Shaivism: all reality is Shiva's free, self-aware consciousness.Traditionशैव सिद्धान्तShaiva SiddhantaThe Agamic Shaiva system of Lord, soul and bond.

Primary texts

Major thinkers

Thinkerवसुगुप्तVasuguptaTraditionally placed in the 9th century CE.Thinkerअभिनवगुप्तAbhinavaguptaScholars place him around 950–1020 CE.Thinkerमेय्कण्डार्MeykandarTraditionally placed in the early 13th century CE.Thinkerक्षेमराजKshemarajaLate 10th to 11th century CE.

Where it disagrees

Stated neutrally. The purpose is understanding, not a verdict.

With Advaita Vedanta · the nature of the absolute
Non-dual Shaivas hold that ultimate consciousness is dynamic and self-aware, not a static witness, and that the world is its real expression rather than maya in Advaita's sense.