Shaivism

Start writing...The Sanskrit word “iva” (शिव, often transliterated as shiva) denotes “auspicious, propitious, cordial, benign, kind, benevolent, friendly,” according to Monier Monier-Williams. In folk etymology, the root words for iva are śī, which means “in whom all things lay, pervasiveness,” and va, which means “embodiment of grace.”
The serpent around Shiva’s neck, the adorning crescent moon, the holy river Ganga flowing from his matted hair, the third eye on his forehead (the eye that when opened turns everything in front of it into ashes), the trishula or trident as his weapon, and the damaru drum are all iconographical attributes. He is frequently worshipped in the form of lingam, which is aniconic.

Shiva’s beginnings are pre-Vedic, and the modern Shiva is a merger of numerous ancient non-Vedic and Vedic deities, notably the Rigvedic storm god Rudra, who may also have non-Vedic origins, into a single primary deity. Hindus in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia worship Shiva, a pan-Hindu god
Origin of Shaivism
Shaivism’s beginnings are obscure and a source of discussion among researchers, as it is a mix of pre-Vedic cults and traditions, as well as Vedic civilization.
Shaivism has its roots in India dating back to ancient times. It might be a holdover from pre-historic non-Aryan religious beliefs. Images of deities resembling Siva and phallus or Siva-linga have been discovered during excavations in the Indus valley. The religion of Siva, on the other hand, grew out of the synthesis of several deities’ personalities, notably the Vedic God Rudra.
Rudra is the God of Destruction and Storm in the Rig Veda. However, in the ‘Yayur-Veda,’ a balance is struck between his destructive and beneficent natures. Rudra gained prominence through time.
Rudra or Siva is recognised as the Supreme God in the ‘Svetasvatara Upanishada’ (Mahadeva). Despite Siva’s rising significance, the cult of Siva as the Supreme God and Saivism doctrine did not flourish until the early Christian era.
Emergence of Shaivism
“The construction of Saiva traditions as we understand them began during the time from 200 BC to 100 AD,” according to Gavin Flood. Shiva was probably not initially a Brahmanical god, but he was subsequently accepted into the Brahmanical fold. The pre-Vedic Shiva rose to prominence when his cult adopted a variety of “older faiths” and their mythology, and the Epics and Puranas contain pre-Vedic myths and stories from these assimilated traditions. Shiva’s ascension was aided by his connection with a number of Vedic deities, including Purusha, Rudra, Agni, Indra, Prajapati, and Vayu.
Puranik Shaivism
The Purana literature genre evolved in India during the Gupta Dynasty (c. 320–500 CE), and several of these Puranas have significant chapters on Shaivism – along with Vaishnavism, Shaktism, Smarta Brahmin Traditions, and other themes – indicating the significance of Shaivism at the time. The Shiva Purana and the Linga Purana are two of the most prominent Shaiva Puranas from this time period.
Before the Vaishnava Alvars started the Bhakti movement in the 7th century, Shaivism was the dominant school in South India, coexisting with Buddhism and Jainism, and renowned Vedanta academics like Ramanuja built a philosophical and organisational framework that enabled Vaishnava flourish. Though both Hinduisms have ancient origins, Shaivism flourished in South India far earlier, as evidenced by its presence in epics such as the Mahabharata.Technically, Shaivism qualifies as a religion in itself. It has its own appeal, distinct philosophies, beliefs, practices, pantheon and traditions that date back to thousands of years. Shaivism played an important role in the continuation of Hinduism. Its beliefs, philosophy and practices enriched Hinduism and contributed to its success against Jainism and Buddhism. Much of the Hindu tantric and ascetic practices are rooted in the ancient Saiva practices.Although neither Shaivism nor Shiva figure prominently in the ancient and early Vedic hymns and Upanishads, Shaivism became an important and integral part of Vedic religions during the eastward and southward expansion of Vedic communities in ancient India. Currently, Shaivism has four major sects.