Shaivism
Shaivism is a major Hindu tradition centered on Shiva as supreme deity. It encompasses diverse devotional, philosophical, tantric, and ritual schools.
Shiva: A major Hindu deity associated with destruction, transformation, asceticism, and cosmic power. Shaivism treats Shiva not merely as a deity but, in many schools, as ultimate reality.
Shaiva Siddhanta: A Shaiva philosophical and devotional tradition that distinguishes God, souls, and bonds. Its account of divine grace and liberation is one influential Shaiva path.
Indus Valley Civilization: A Bronze Age urban civilization of South Asia, flourishing roughly from 2600 to 1900 BCE. A seal sometimes linked to Shiva has prompted debate, but does not establish Shaivism’s origins.
Shiva Linga: An aniconic emblem of Shiva, commonly worshipped in temples and homes. The linga is among the most widespread forms through which Shaiva devotion is practiced.
Vaishnavism: A major Hindu tradition centered on Vishnu and his incarnations as supreme deity. Its supreme focus on Vishnu contrasts with Shaivism’s focus on Shiva.
Shakti: The divine power or energy understood in Hindu traditions as the active force of the cosmos. Many Shaiva schools understand Shiva’s power through its inseparability from Shakti.
Kashmir Shaivism: A nondual Shaiva philosophical tradition that identifies consciousness with Shiva. It presents recognition of one’s identity with Shiva as the means of liberation.
Vedic religion: The ancient South Asian religious tradition preserved in the Vedas and their ritual culture. Rudra, a Vedic deity, became closely associated with Shiva in later Hindu traditions.
Nataraja: A form of Shiva as cosmic dancer, especially celebrated in South Indian bronze sculpture. Nataraja’s dance represents cosmic creation, preservation, and dissolution in Shaiva traditions.
Shaktism: A major Hindu tradition that centers the Goddess, or Shakti, as supreme reality. Shaktism gives the Goddess primacy where Shaiva schools center Shiva, though their traditions often overlap.