Short Introduction to Saivism

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Shaivas are devotees of the Hindu God Shiva. While Shaivism contains within it a number of traditions and theologies, Shaivas will regard Shiva as the transcendent Lord who creates the cosmos, maintains it and destroys it over and over again. He also conceals himself through his magical power (maya) and reveals himself through grace. Most Shaivas believe in the standard Hindu doctrine that the soul travels through many lifetimes in the cycle of reincarnation (Samsara) and that the kind of rebirth the soul experiences is determined by its action (karma). The ultimate goal of life is salvation or liberation (Moksha) from the cycle of reincarnation attained by a degree of effort but ultimately through Shiva’s grace.

The worship of Shiva is very ancient in India. Hymns to Rudra, a name of Shiva, are found in the Veda, the earliest Hindu scriptures regarded as revelation (c. 1500 BCE), though worship of Shiva may have its origins in the Indus Valley civilisation (c. 2000 BCE).

This is concise manual to initiate the reader before taking up the more sophisticated texts related to Saivism.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Subodh Kapoor

Subodh Kapoor is known for the pioneering work he has published, titles The Hindus, Encyclopaedia of Hinduism, in five grand volumes providing, for the first time, an introductory work of enormous range and scope on Hinduism. His second work was an equally enterprising effort when he published The Buddhists, Encyclopaedia of Buddhism, in five large Volumes. But readers are enthusiastically awaiting his magnum opus, the Encyclopaedia of Indian Heritage, in 90 Volumes which has classified in 40 grand division covering the 4000 years of the glorious Indian heritage in a manner never attempted before. The work is a complete record of the Spiritual, Cultural, Social and Philosophical development of India. He has also compiled the most extensive and elaborate Dictionary of Hinduism. His Companion Encyclopaedia of Hindu Philosophy has also been published recently.