19
votes
Can Lingayats be considered as a part of Hinduism?
Not all lingayats are demanding Lingayatism as separate religion. Only a few lingayat are demanding and that too due to political reasons.
Let us analyze their supposed philosophical differences:
1)...
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13
votes
What is the meaning of the word "Shiva"?
'Shiva' denotes the nature of the self or the transcendental aspect. It represents Turiya which is beyond three Gunas of nature ie. Satva, Rajas and Tamas.
30th verse of Shiva Mahimna ...
- 48.1k
11
votes
Accepted
Which are the Five faces of Lord Shiva?
Taittariya Aranyaka of YajurVeda from 10.17.1 to 10.21.1 contains five mantras and first word of each mantra represents each face of Lord SadaShiva. These Mantras are also in AtharvaVeda Parishista.
...
- 48.1k
10
votes
Accepted
Who was the solar dynasty king who was turned into a spider?
The spider in question is a Shiva Gana named Malyavan.
The Chola dynasty of kings is said to have sprung from the Surya Vamsa, at least according to this Wikipedia page.
The last king to be mentioned ...
- 6,195
9
votes
Do Shaivites believe in something greater than Sadashiva?
Yes, Shaivites do believe in higher than SadaShiva also. Tirumantiram written by Tirumular is one of the oldest texts considered as authoritative by Shaiva Siddhantin. Tirumular is also one among 63 ...
- 48.1k
9
votes
What scriptures describe the fifth state called Turiyatita?
Turiyatita state is mentioned in Malinivijay Tantra chapter 2.
Lord Shiva said:Wise people should know the system of unification (Sarvavesha krama) divided into five states i.e, waking (Jagrat), ...
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9
votes
Do all Shaiva Siddhantins reject Vamachara practices as sinful?
Tirumular in Tirumantiram condemns Vamachara practises like drinking wine:
326: The Wicked Drink In VAma Tantra
Lust and drink, fit for the wicked are they;
In ritual unholy they drink and ...
- 48.1k
9
votes
Accepted
How do Shaivas view and interpret the Ramayana and Mahabharata?
As per Shiva Purana: PART TWO RUDRA SAMHITA: SATI KHAND: Chapter 24,
[Lord Shiva said to Sati:]
The fair-complexioned one is younger brother Laxman, the incarnation of Shesha. The elder ...
- 24k
9
votes
Accepted
Which are the 10 Mahapuranas dedicated to Shiva according to Skanda Mahapurana?
Chapter 2 of Sankara Samhita of Skandha Purana lists the name of 10 Shaiva Puranas as:
तत्र शैवानि शैवं च भविष्यश्च द्विजोत्तमा:।
मार्कण्डेयं तथा लैङ्गं वाराहं स्कान्दमेव च ।।
मात्स्यमन्यत्तथा कौर्मे ...
- 48.1k
9
votes
What is the position and role of Lord Vishnu in Kasmiri Shaivism?
Brahma, Vishnu, Rudra, Ishwara, and SadaShiva are called Panchabrahmans. Kashmiri Shaivism too with the addition of Anashirta Shiva in the above five deities list calls them Karana Devas. Sri ...
- 48.1k
8
votes
What is the meaning of the word "Shiva"?
Definition of Shiva is directly given in chapter 4 of Shiv Rahasya while Lord Shiva explaining himself.
I am Shiva, the Stillness (Shi) Whereof all Movement (Va) is born. As Water, Fire and the ...
- 15.6k
8
votes
Accepted
What are the symbols and weapons in the hand of Sadashiva?
Kamika Agama is one of the principle Shaiva Agamas. It was revealed from the Ishana face of Sadasiva. It describes weapons, symbols and form of Sadashiva as:
Five faces; ten shoulders; effulgence of ...
- 48.1k
8
votes
Who are all the Gurus of Abhinavagupta and what Paramparas did they come from?
Durvasa Rishi created one mind-born daughter, whom he initiated completely in the monistic way. Known as the Ardhatryambaka school of the Bhairava Tantras, this teaching manifests itself secretly from ...
- 19.1k
8
votes
Accepted
What parts of Utpaladeva's Ishwara Pratyabhijna Vivriti are available in English?
TL;DR: Read this PDF document I created.
Let me start off by posting a useful chart from Isabelle Ratié 2016 paper "In Search of Utpaladeva's Lost Vivriti on the Pratyabhijna Treatise", showing ...
- 97.2k
8
votes
Why does Ramanuja refer to the PAshupata sect as the sect of "Black faces"?
Ramanujacharya does not call Pashupatas as Kalamukhas. In fact, he explicitly states that they are different Shaivite sects, in this section of his Sri Bhashya:
So far it has been shown that the ...
- 97.2k
8
votes
Accepted
Can Vaishnavas join the Natha Sampradaya?
Actually for a Vaishnava it's better to go for a Vaishnava Guru. And, the same for others.
Quoting Lord Shiva's words from the KulAchudAmani Tantram:
UdAsino hyudAsinAm vanastha vanavAsinah | ...
- 111k
8
votes
Are there any Shaiva or Shakta refutations that "Narayana" is a proper noun?
Panini 8.4.3 says nouns which are made of two words (need not be proper nouns), न (na) in second word changes to ण(ṇa), if first word has र (ra) or ष (ṣa) but not ग (ga),
Sutra just says Nouns not ...
- 31.1k
7
votes
What is the significance of Rudraksha in Saivism?
The Devi Bhagavatha Purana describes the origin and importance of Rudrakshas as follows.
The origin of Rudrakshas [dark beads of Tree, termed Elaeocorpus
Ganitrus in Latin language] or Lord Siva’...
- 111k
7
votes
Accepted
What scriptures describe Vishnu's body being blackened by Vasuki?
According to Skanda Purana chapter 9, it was Kalakuta poison which made Lord Vishnu black or dark blue (color of Taamala).
The excellent mountain had adamantine strength. It rolled on the back, neck,...
- 31.1k
6
votes
Why does lord Shiva have three eyes?
When Lord SadaShiva directly manifests from Sat-Asat state he comes with a form having three eyes:
परः पुमानीश्वरः स शिव शम्भुरनीश्वरः ।
शीर्षे मन्दाकिनीधारी भालचन्द्रस्त्रिलोचनः ।।
पञ्चवक्त्र ...
- 48.1k
6
votes
Why Shiva (an asectic god) has family while most other Gods don't?
I read on the website OmOccult that alone Shiva is on a par with Shava (dead body); hence, he must be worshipped with his wife Parvati (his power) and the entire family. The entire story of the family ...
- 211
6
votes
Can Shaivaites or Devotees of Shiva eat meat?
Can one eat meat and still be a devotee ? The answer to this question will be Yes.
But, if the question is whether Lord Shiva approves such an act? (which is what a true devotee will be more ...
- 111k
6
votes
Accepted
Can we wear Banalinga as pendant around our neck?
In Tamil Shaivism and Kamika Agama (according to the Tevaram, Nampi Arurar), the Bana Linga is classified as Acala Linga (i.e., Lingas that should not be moved, thence, not wearable):
The Lingas are ...
- 3,402
6
votes
Accepted
What does Lord Shiva mean by saying that in Shaiva traditions Gurus are three?
Although it's not a direct scriptural reference In Kulavarna tantra of Chakumba Prakashan translated by Dr. Pramhansa Mishra, Hindi version He writes: (I am translating)
"There is a provisional ...
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6
votes
Accepted
What are the prerequisites to get initiated in Shaiva or Shakta Agamas?
As regards caste, sex etc there are no such restrictions. Everyone can be initiated. Even an Antyaja or Sankara or mixed caste person reserves the right to be initiated.
Shudra sankarajAti nAmAdi ...
- 111k
6
votes
Shaivism or Shivaism?
From Wikipedia of Shaivism,
Shaivism ([Śaivam]) (Devanagari: शैव संप्रदाय) (Tamil: சைவம்) is one of the major traditions within Hinduism that reveres Shiva as the Supreme Being or its metaphysical ...
- 19.1k
6
votes
Accepted
Which are the 118 worlds as described in Fifteen verses of Wisdom?
In Shaktism, as well as in Shaivism, there are 36 Tattvas. Shiva/Shakti, Vidya, Maya, Purusha, Prakriti, Iswara, etc to the Panchabhutas are these 36 Tattvas.
These Tattvas are again grouped into ...
- 111k
6
votes
What are Sadakhya Tattva, Ishwara Tattva, and Suddha Vidya Tattva?
There are 36 Tattvas in Tantras. Out of these 36, the top 5 are above Maya and are called Suddha Tattvas. They are:
Shiva Tattva
Shakti Tattva
Sadashiva / Sadakhya Tattva
Ishwara Tattva
Suddha Vidya ...
- 48.1k
5
votes
Accepted
What commentary on the Brahma Sutras does the Saiva Siddhanta Church support?
The Saiva Siddhanta Church doesn't subscribe to the Brahma Sutras. I emailed the editors of Hinduism Today, the popular magazine published by the Saiva Siddhanta Church. They replied that unlike ...
- 97.2k
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