Questions tagged [shaivism]
Shaivism is one of the six major sects of Hinduism, which reveres Lord Shiva as the Supreme Being. Shaivism holds that Shiva is the creator, preserver, destroyer, revealer and concealer of all that is.
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Do any commentators of Brahmasūtras other than Ādi Śaṅkarācārya disagree with both Pañcarātra and Śaiva Āgamas?
As I discuss in this question, by far the most popular school of Hindu philosophy is the Vedānta school, which bases its tenets on the doctrines laid out in the Brahma Sūtras, a work by the sage Vyāsa ...
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Is ‘Vayu Purāṇa’ a synonym for the Shiva Purāṇa and what is the reason for it having two names?
The Matsya Purāṇa, while enlisting the 18 mahapuranas says the following with reference to the fourth one, also known as the Shri Shiva Purāṇa
With reference to the Śvetakalpa, the dharma which Vayu ...
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What is the difference between Raudra and Saumya sects of Shaivism?
The term "Shaivite" is often overused nowadays. For instance, Iyer Brahmins are often called Shaivites, but they are actually followers of Adi Shankaracharya's Smartha sect (which I discuss ...
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What are the major schools of Kashmir Shaivism?
One of the nondual Agamic traditions is the Kashmir Shaiva agama.
What are the major schools of this tradition?
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Which scriptures describe the concept of "Shadjanma Pashu"?
While reading the article "Ahimsha and Vegetarianism in Kashmir Shaivaism" on the Kamakotimandali, i came across the concept of "Shadjanma Pashu" ( Shad=six; Janma=birth; Pashu=an animal).
It is ...
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What scriptures describe Ganesha having five hands?
The term "Shaivite" is overused nowadays. For instance, Iyer Brahmins are often called Shaivites, but they're actually followers of Adi Shankaracharya's Smartha sect (which I discuss here and here), ...
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What does the meaning of "Vishnu" have to do with the word "Prabhu"?
As I discuss in this answer, the Pancharatra Agamas are the foundational texts of Vaishnavism. Similarly, the foundational texts of Shaivism are known as the Shaiva Agamas, aka the Shaiva Tantras. My ...
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Where do the Vedas say that a single Vajapeya Yagna will make you the next Indra?
The term "Shaivite" is overused nowadays. For instance, Iyer Brahmins are often called Shaivites, but they're actually followers of Adi Shankaracharya's Smartha sect (which I discuss here and here), ...
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Method/ philosophy to attain moksha, concept of Brahman in the Shaiva Agamas, and link to Vedas
Please read the main 3 questions, additional are secondary questions.
The Shaiva Agamas, 28 in number, having 204 supporting Upagamas, are said to be revealed by the five faces of Rudra Bhagavan ...
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Which of these Bhairava shruti texts / Tantras are lost?
The following is a list from the Shrikanthi Samhita of the 64 Bhairava Tantras and their 8 classifications:
Yamalasataka - BrahmayAmala, VishnuyAmala, Rudra-yAmala, Swacanda
yAmala, AtharvanayAmala, ...
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Who are the parents of Indra and Brahma mentioned by Basava?
The term "Shaivite" is overused nowadays. For instance, Iyer Brahmins are often called Shaivites, but they're actually followers of Adi Shankaracharya's Smartha sect (which I discuss here and here) ...
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Who are the nAthas of nAth sampradAya?
One of the largest group of Hindu ascetics is the Nath (or Natha) sampradaya.
Who are the Naths?
Who were the famous 9 Naths?
What is their core ideology?
What sect of Shaivism do they belong to?
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Which Shaiva Agamas does Appayya Dikshitar consider anti-Vedic?
As I discuss in this question, by far the most popular school of Hindu philosophy is the Vedanta school, which bases its tenets on the doctrines laid out in the Brahma Sutras, a work by the sage Vyasa ...
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What did Vishnu's incarnation Prithu say about being one with the Universe?
Generally, Vaishnavas follow the Pancharatra Agamas, Shaivites follow the Shaiva Agamas, and Shaktas follow the Shaiva Agamas. But long ago, there was a group of people in Kashmir who followed the ...
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What scriptures describe toads being found in the heart of solid rocks?
The term "Shaivite" is overused nowadays. For instance, Iyer Brahmins are often called Shaivites, but they're actually followers of Adi Shankaracharya's Smartha sect (which I discuss here and here), ...
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What is the location of Vishnu's sacred place of Mallakupa?
As I discuss in this answer, the Pancharatra Agamas are the foundational texts of Vaishnavism. Similarly, the foundational texts of Shaivism are known as the Shaiva Agamas, aka the Shaiva Tantras. ...
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Why do some Shaiva Siddhantins believe the Shwetashwatara Upanishad contradicts the Brahma Sutras?
The term "Shaivite" is overused nowadays. For instance, Iyer Brahmins are often called Shaivites, but they're actually followers of Adi Shankaracharya's Smartha sect (as I discuss here and ...
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Mahatmya of the five shiva temples of Ceylon
In Ceylon, there are 5 main shiva shrines collectively called the pancheswaram. They are Naguleswaram, Thiruketheeswaram, Munneswaram, Thondeswaram and
Koneswaram.
It seems these places are among the ...
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What exactly is Nada, Bindu and Kala?
I have come across the term Nada, Bindu and Kala etc many times and they seem to be talking about various different concepts sometimes personal and sometimes cosmic.
In one explanation Bindu is ...
user26635
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Who authored Vijnana Bhairav Tantra or what is it's Guru parampara?
Wikipedia says
The Vijñāna-bhairava-tantra (VBT, sometimes spelled in a Hindicised
way as Vigyan Bhairav Tantra) is a Shaiva Tantra, of the Kaula Trika
tradition of Kashmir Shaivism, dated to ca. the ...
user22253
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What are the main differences between different subsects of shaivism?
Please explain main differences between major shaivites sub-sects like
Pashupata Shaivism, Kashmir Shaivism, Shiva Shiddhanta , Lingayata etc ?
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What scriptures describe Durvasa having three sons who promulgated Agamas?
Generally, Vaishnavas follow the Pancharatra Agamas, Shaivites follow the Shaiva Agamas, and Shaktas follow the Shaiva Agamas. But long ago, there was a group of people in Kashmir who followed the ...
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Which scriptures describe Vināyaka as son of Nandi?
Shaiva Siddhanta is based on the Shaiva Agamas and the poems of the 63 Nāyanārs . One of those 63 Nāyanārs is Saint Tirumūlar and also one of the 18 Siddhars and also a Yogi himself. His work ...
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Do the Pancharatra Agamas ever say that Vishnu is the operator of the Universe but not the source?
As I discuss in this question, by far the most popular school of Hindu philosophy is the Vedanta school, which bases its tenets on the doctrines laid out in the Brahma Sutras, a work by the sage Vyasa ...
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How do Shaivite philosophers interpret the Brahma Sutras' criticism of the Shaiva Agamas?
As I discuss in this question, by far the most popular school of Hindu philosophy is the Vedanta school, which bases its tenets on the doctrines laid out in the Brahma Sutras, a work by the sage Vyasa ...
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What is a good roadmap to learn Shiva Visistadvaita philosophy?
I want to learn about Śrikānth Acharya's Shiva Visistadvaita.
What is a good place to start for a beginner? I don't have any background in any philosophy before. Any resources, references and ideas ...
user27805
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Differences between Lingayats and Aradhyas?
Lingayat community was founded by Basavanna. What is the history of Aradhyas who are shiva followers too and they too wear lingas.
What are the differences between these communities?
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Are there any commentaries on the Shiva Purana by any Shaiva acharya?
I'd like to read Shiva Purana with commentaries.
Is there any commentary by any Shaivacharya available for it?
user27805
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Reading Shiva and Skanda Puranas (Shaivite) leads to condemnation to hell? See the screenshot
It's from the 3rd Volume of The History and Culture of the Indian People.
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Is Dwarapalaga in Shiva temples is Nataraja?
In certain Shiva temples I have seen Nataraja posture idol as Dwarapalaga at entrace of Shiva linga sannadhi. Is it Nataraja being Dwarapalaga or is it just a posture? What Shaiva agama says about ...
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Is there an English translation of the book Shri Shiva Tattva Rahasya?
I wanted to learn more about Shiva Ashtotthara Shatanama Stotram.
So here was an answer which showed me the source of the stotram. And this answer also referred to Shri Shiva Tattva Rahasya written ...
user13262
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What Shaivite sects are classified as the ingroup of Shaiva Siddhanta?
The term "Shaivite" is overused nowadays. For instance, Iyer Brahmins are often called Shaivites, but they're actually followers of Adi Shankaracharya's Smartha sect (which I discuss here and here), ...
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What scriptures describe Vishnu riding a tortoise?
The term "Shaivite" is overused nowadays. For instance, Iyer Brahmins are often called Shaivites, but they're actually followers of Adi Shankaracharya's Smartha sect (which I discuss here and here), ...
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To which Shaivite sect do the Shaivites of UP, Bihar and Chhattisgarh belong?
There are many sects in Hinduism like Shaivism, Shaktism, Vaishnavism, Ganapatism, Kaumarism, Suryaism, Kabeerism, Satnam, Arya Samaj etc. However, the main sects like Shaivism are again divided into ...
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Did the Shavite poet Tirumular believe new souls could be created?
The term "Shaivite" is overused nowadays. For instance, Iyer Brahmins are often called Shaivites, but they're actually followers of Adi Shankaracharya's Smartha sect (which I discuss here and here), ...
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Saivite rasarnava tradition
Does somebody have any idea about this rasarnava tradition as in is it still alive and how can I increase my lifespan using mercury as these guys of this saivite rasarnava tradition did. I want to ...
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Are any shaiv acharya commentary of shiva sahastranama available online?
I would like to know if there are any commentary available on the sri shiva Sahasranama by shaiv Acharya?
Namaḥ Śivāya 🙏🏻
user27805
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Is there an upasana padhathi for Vaidyanatha swarupam of Lord Shiva?
I want to learn and understand the tantric aspect of the vaidyanatha swaroopam. I am pretty sure that a specific mantra, dhyana, and other angopangas of the mantra should exist for this shaivic ...
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What are the important texts of Shrouta Shaivism?
Srouta Shaiv Siddhant or Shrouta Shaivism is an Shaiva tradition. One important scripture i am aware is Srikantha's Bhashya on Brahmasutra (?) What are the important scriptures of Shrouta Shaivism ...
user27805
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Why should the Yoni (Potruding part of Shiva Lingam) always face North?
I've noticed and understood that, wherever the Shiva Lingam is, the Yoni of the Shiva Lingam should always face North?
I have two Questions:
I've seen certain temples in India where Shiva lingas are ...
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Are there any shaiva sampradaya/ parampara acharyas?
Are there any parampara/ sampraday in shaivism that give agamic diksha. Just like Chinna Jeeyar Swamy of Sri Ramanujacharya sect in Andhra Pradesh who give vaishnava agamic diksha. Are there any ...
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When did Shaivism start?
In terms of history of India, when did Shaivism appear? I don't mean references to Lord Shiva, I mean Shaivism as a religious entity.
user16701
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Which Shaivite sects are dualistic?
Most Shaivite sects are Advaitin whereas some Shaivites, especially Acharya Srikantha's followers in South India follow Vishistadvaita. Are there any Shaivite sects that are dualistic?
user9969
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Who wrote the Shiva Stuti Sukta Malika, and does it still exist?
The Narayana Shabda Sadhararanyam is a work by the 16th century Advaita philosopher Govinda Nayaka which argues that the word Narayana refers to Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. This work was refuted by an ...
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What are the Shaivite/Shakta arguments for gestures as a Pramana?
As I discuss in this question, by far the most popular school of Hindu philosophy is the Vedanta school, which bases its tenets on the doctrines laid out in the Brahma Sutras, a work by the sage Vyasa ...
- 96.9k
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Who thinks the supreme Shiva's only forms are Nataraja, Dakshinamurthi, and Ardhanarishvara?
The term "Shaivite" is overused nowadays. For instance, Iyer Brahmins are often called Shaivites, but they're actually followers of Adi Shankaracharya's Smartha sect (which I discuss here and here), ...
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Were Vishnu avatarams liberated by Shakti/Siva?
A page on Quora by the name "Dakshina Kali (দক্ষিণা কালী)" commented Matsya was liberated by Matsyasamharamurti, Varaha by Varahasamharamurti, Narasimha by Sharabha, Vamana by Kankalamurti; ...
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Rules for keeping a Rudraksha
Recently I happened to visit the Shri Kashi Vishwanatha temple. There the priest gave a single Rudraksha bead.
I would like to know about the rules that are required to be followed to keep/ maintain ...
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Does the great goddess - 'the 'wife of Shiva', manifests with different names in different Kalpas?
In the Skanda Purana Verse 7.1.7.25-40, god Shiva recounts the names of previous births of goddess Parvati across various kalpas, as follows
Īśvara said:
कल्पेकल्पे महादेवि अवतारं करोषि यत् ॥ तेन ते ...
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Is the udasi sampraday vaishnavs or shaivites or other?
The udasi sampraday is founded by Sri Chandra Baba the son of guru nanak and is linked to the four kumaras parampara.
They worships 5 devatas: ganesh, surya, shiva, shakti and vishnu. I know they ...
