Shaivism

Shaivism is a branch of Hinduism, i.e., Shaivite monotheism, whose followers worship Shiva as the Supreme God. Shiva in the Vedas is called Rudra. He is also called Pashupati, the lord of beings. Since God is without form, devotees worship Shiva in the form of lingam rather than portraying Him in human form. Unlike Vaishnavism, Shaivism does not believe that God incarnates. Furthermore, Shaivism stresses the formless aspect of God. In this way, Shaivism is more similar to Islam and Judaism.

One of the most famous hymns to Shiva in the Vedas is Shri Rudram. From Shri Rudram, the most famous chant, Om Namay Shivah appears.

Shiva is the heart of consciousness, just as Vishnu is the moral law.

Vishnu and Shiva are sometimes visualized as a single divinity named Harihara.

Major theological schools of Shaivism include Kashmir Shaivism and Saiva Siddhanta

A specific form of Shaivism is Virasaivism, which is a specific form of Shaivite monotheism. Please see web site, [[1] (http://members.aol.com/ukumbar/vsny/Detailed.htm#BM6)] for more information.

External Links

• http://www.shaivam.org/index.html; specifically, http://www.shaivam.org/shp.htm
• http://sroutasaivasiddhanta.org/contact.htm
• http://www.geocities.com/shivaperuman/saivalinks.html
• For a brief discussion about these branches and Hinduism in general, please see Swami Sivananda's excellent book, "All about Hinduism" at http://www.dlshq.org/download/hinduismbk.htm#_VPID_96.
• For an excellent overview of Shaivism and basic beliefs, please see the following web site,

http://www.hinduism-today.com/archives/2003/10-12/44-49_four_sects.shtml.

• Additionally, please see excerpts from the book, "Dancing with Siva" which discusses Hinduism and Shaivism in particular on the web site,http://www.himalayanacademy.com/resources/books/dws/Contents.html

See also

• Vaishnavism
• Siddha Yoga

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