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Shaivism (also spelled Saivism, IAST ; see Sanskrit for pronunciation) is a branch of Hinduism in South India that worships Shiva as the supreme God (Brahman). Followers of Śaivism are called Śaivas or Śaivites. There are approximately 220 million Śaivites in the world.
Philosophy and worship Śaivism is a form of nondual spiritual practice and philosophy originating in India. Śaivites believe that the entire creation is both an expression of conscious divinity and is non-different from that divinity which they call "Śiva". Because he is simultaneously the created and the creator, Śiva is both immanent and transcendent. This concept contrasts with many Semitic religious traditions in which God is seen as fundamentally different from the creation and transcendent, or "higher" than the creation. As in all Hindu denominations, Śaivism acknowledges the existence of many other deities. These deities are expressions of the Supreme One. This type of spiritual view is called Monistic Theism: the cosmos is a "monad" or single consciousness that expresses itself dualistically, but is fundamentally one. This philosophy is known in Sanskrit as Advaita Ishvaravada. Śaivism is a very deep, devotional and mystical denomination of Hinduism. As a very broad religion, Śaivism encompasses philosophical systems, devotional rituals, legends, mysticism and varied yogic practices. It contains monistic, and dualistic traditions. Śaivites believe God transcends form, and devotees often worship Śiva in the form of a lingam, symbolizing the entire universe. God Śiva is also revered in Śaivism as the anthropomorphic manifestation of Śiva Nataraja, the Divine Dancer who animates the universe. He is also Dakshinamurti, the silent teacher; Hari-Hara, half-Śiva half-Vishnu; and Bhairava, who wields the trishula, the trident of desire, action and wisdom. In some traditions, Hanuman is also a form of Lord Siva. History Originated in India, Śaivism has appeal all over India. Some traditions credit the spreading of Śaivism into southern India by the great sage, Agastya, who is said to have brought Vedic traditions. There can be found almost innumerable Śaivite temples and shrines, with many shrines accompanied as well by murtis dedicated to Ganesa, Lord of the Ganas, followers of Śiva, and son of Śiva and Śakti. The twelve Jyotirling, or "golden Iingam", shrines are among the most esteemed in Śaivism. Another form of Shiva is Rudra who is the destroyer (samhara murthi). A question arises; how can God be a destroyer? But God destroys to relieve us from bondages and pains and give us a new lease of life. It is better to use the term Shiva instead of Siva because Shiva means mangala: i.e everything beautiful and auspicious. Features of Shaivism The salient features of Saivism as it is today are:- Benares is considered the holiest city of all Hindus and Śaivites. A very revered Śaivite temple is the ancient Chidambaram, in South India. One of the most famous hymns to Śiva in the Vedas is Śri Rudram. The foremost Śaivite Vedic Mantra is Aum Namah Sivaya. Major theological schools of Śaivism include Kashmir Śaivism, Śaiva Siddhanta and Virasaivism. It is believed that the greatest author on the Śaiva religion writing in Sanskrit was Abhinavagupta, from Srinagar, Kashmir, c. 1000 CE. Nayanars (or Nayanmars), saints from Southern India, were mostly responsible for development of Śaivism in the Middle Ages. Within Hinduism The presence of the different schools within Hinduism should not be viewed as a schism. On the contrary, there is no animosity between the schools. Instead there is a healthy cross-pollination of ideas and logical debate that serves to refine each school's understanding of Hinduism. It is not uncommon, or disallowed, for an individual to follow one school but take the point of view of another school for a certain issue. Shaiva Upanishads Of the 108 Upanishads of the Muktika canon, 14 are associated with Shaivaism. They are listed with their associated Veda (): See also | ||||||||
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