Shaiva Bhakti

Origins?Origins?

• Shiva is the god of opposites; Creator and destroyer, fierce and gentle, erotic and ascetic

• Obviously very ancient, even archaic, mentioned in the Veda and the Epics.

• Possibly even found in the IVC?

Linga.Linga.

• Shiva is unique amongst the gods in that his main representation is aniconic; the lingam.

• Phallic symbol of power.• May be based upon the apotropaic nature

of Rudra\Shiva in the vedas; a god so dangerous that he cannot even be named or shaped, of that Shiva is formless, so his representation should be unformed too.

• May be naturally occurring or man made.

Linga puja• The linga is used as

the focal point of most temples; offerings are poured over it; lassi, water, milk, honey, or cow urine.

• This may be drained off and used as prashadam.

Iconic Iconic formsforms

1 Shiva 1 Shiva NatarajaNataraja

• Shiva as the cosmic destroyer; the third and final player of the trimurti, who works to destroy as part of the process of life.

Iconic Iconic formsforms

2 Shiva 2 Shiva MahayogiMahayogi

• Shiva as the cosmic yogin; the god who as achieved and maintained the universe by virtue of his tapas. The ultimate meditator.

Iconic formsIconic forms3 Shiva 3 Shiva

BhairavaBhairava

• Shiva as the terrifying destroyer; in this case united with his Shakti (female power).

BhaktasBhaktas

• Many devotees seek to emulate Shiva’s practices; and most practice yoga.

• Many become ascetic renouncers (Sadhus or Babas).

KapalikasKapalikas• The Kapalikas (Skull men) are an extreme

form of Shaiva practice; sadhus who practice very extreme asceticism, trying to bring themselves closer to Shiva by

•Living in cremation grounds•Smearing with ashes•Matting hair

•Wild dancing & laughing

•Drinking from skull cups

•Tantric practices.

Tantric practicesTantric practices• These include the offerings of impure

substances (Wine, Meat, Sexual fluids, Blood & caste-breaking sexual activity). The idea is that the kapalika is a brahmanicide; ie has killed the brahman that he once was, in the service of Śiva. Other practices include visualisation of the deity, in an attempt to internalise the cosmos, and kundalini yoga. This is accomplished through a mastery of ritual, and a process of initiation.

TheologyTheology

• The theology of shaivism is based up the Shvetashvartra upanishad (equiv to BG). The key ideas are:

• Shiva is the lord of the cosmos• Shiva grants mukti because of his

love for the devotee (not because the devotee has earned it; this is impossible)

Pasupata SaivismPasupata Saivism

• An ancient sampradaya whose beliefs are focussed upon

Karya (the soul is in bondage)Karana (The Lord who redeems)

Yoga (Ascetic practice)Vidhi (Ritual)

Dukhanta (Final release).

Vira Shaivism

• A sampradaya who wear a linga which they see as the real presence of Shiva.

• Other key practices include:• Guru (obedience to the spiritual

master)• Linga (wearing a Linga)• Jangama (Worshipping an ascetic as

an incarnation of Śiva)

• Padodaka (drinking the water in which the feet of a Guru or Jangama have been bathed)

• Prasada (offering food to Guru, Linga or Jangama, taking the remains)

• Bhasma (Wearing ashes made from burning cow-dung on the body)

• Rudraksha (wearing a Mala of Rudrākşa beads)

• Mantra (reciting the mantra “Om nama Shivaya”).

Lingayats• Noted for their bhakti poets,

notably:• Basava

As a mother runsClose behind her child

With his hand on a cobraOr a fire,

The lord of the meeting riversStays with me

Every step of the wayAnd looks after me.

& Mahadévyaka a woman poet who was a digambara ascetic;

I love the Beautiful One,with no bond nor fear.

No clan, no land,no landmarks,

for his beauty…….Take these husbands who die,

decay, and feed themto your kitchen fires!