Lord Shiva – The Supreme God in Shaivism
Lord Shiva is one of the principal deities in Hinduism and is part of the Trimurti (Trinity), along with Brahma (Creator) and Vishnu (Preserver). Shiva is known as the Destroyer and Transformer, symbolizing both destruction and renewal. He is worshiped as the Supreme God in Shaivism, one of the largest traditions of Hinduism.
Basic Information on Lord Shiva
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Role in Trimurti | Destroyer and Transformer |
| Consort | Parvati (Shakti, Durga, Kali) |
| Children | Ganesha, Kartikeya |
| Mount (Vahana) | Nandi (Sacred Bull) |
| Primary Weapons | Trishul (Trident), Damru (Drum), Pashupatastra (Divine Weapon) |
| Sacred Symbols | Crescent Moon, Third Eye, Snake around Neck, Rudraksha Beads |
| Major Scriptures | Shiva Purana, Linga Purana, Rudram Chamakam |
| Forms of Worship | Linga (Shiva Linga) and Murti (Anthropomorphic form) |
Iconography of Lord Shiva
- Third Eye on Forehead – Represents wisdom, destruction of ignorance.
- Trishul (Trident) – Symbolizes control over creation, preservation, and destruction.
- Damru (Drum) – Represents cosmic rhythm and sound of creation.
- Crescent Moon – Symbolizes control over time and emotions.
- Blue Throat (Neelkanth) – Result of consuming Halahala poison during Samudra Manthan (churning of the ocean).
- Ganga on Head – Represents life and purity.
- Snake Around Neck (Vasuki) – Symbolizes control over fear and death.
Major Forms of Lord Shiva
- Rudra – Fierce and destructive form.
- Dakshinamurthy – Guru of wisdom and knowledge.
- Nataraja – Cosmic dancer, performing the Tandava (dance of destruction and creation).
- Ardhanarishvara – Combined form of Shiva and Parvati, symbolizing male-female unity.
- Bhairava – A fearsome form of Shiva, protector of the weak.
- Lingodbhava – Shiva emerging from a pillar of fire, symbolizing infinity.
Shaivism – The Worship of Lord Shiva
Shaivism is one of the oldest and most widespread Hindu traditions that primarily worships Lord Shiva as the Supreme Being. It emphasizes spiritual liberation, asceticism, and devotion.
Key Features of Shaivism
- Monotheistic Belief in Shiva
- Shiva is considered the absolute reality (Param Brahman).
- Shiva Linga as a Symbol
- The Shiva Linga represents the formless aspect of Lord Shiva.
- Path of Asceticism & Meditation
- Followers of Shaivism often practice yoga, meditation, and renunciation.
- Shaivite Texts
- Shiva Purana, Linga Purana, Tirumurai, and Tevaram.
- Four Major Sects of Shaivism
- Kashmir Shaivism – Philosophical school, focusing on self-realization.
- Veerashaivism (Lingayats) – Founded by Basavanna, focusing on social equality.
- Pashupata Shaivism – Oldest sect, emphasizing strict asceticism.
- Siddha Shaivism – Practices alchemy and mystical yoga.
Nayanars – Shaivite Saints and Bhakti Movement
The Nayanars were a group of 63 Tamil poet-saints devoted to Lord Shiva. They lived between the 6th and 9th centuries CE and played a significant role in the Bhakti movement.
Key Features of Nayanars
- Worshiped Shiva through poetry and songs in Tamil.
- Opposed caste discrimination and promoted devotion over rituals.
- Many were from lower castes, showing social inclusiveness.
- Their hymns were compiled in the Tevaram and Tirumurai texts.
Prominent Nayanars and Their Contributions
| Nayanar | Contributions |
|---|---|
| Appar (Tirunavukkarasar) | Converted from Jainism to Shaivism; promoted Shiva Bhakti. |
| Sundarar | Known for singing hymns in a personal, friendly tone to Shiva. |
| Sambandar | Child prodigy, who wrote powerful Shaivite hymns. |
| Karaikkal Ammaiyar | Female saint, known for renouncing beauty and embracing Shiva. |
| Manikkavasagar | Composed Tiruvacakam, a major Shaivite text. |
| Kannappa Nayanar | A tribal devotee who offered his eyes to Shiva. |
Major Shiva Temples in India
- Kashi Vishwanath (Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh) – One of the 12 Jyotirlingas.
- Kedarnath (Uttarakhand) – One of the Char Dham pilgrimage sites.
- Brihadeeswarar Temple (Tamil Nadu) – A UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Rameshwaram Temple (Tamil Nadu) – One of the Char Dham and Jyotirlingas.
- Chidambaram Nataraja Temple (Tamil Nadu) – Dedicated to Shiva as Nataraja.
Key Facts for Quick Revision
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Role of Shiva | Destroyer and Transformer |
| Primary Worship Tradition | Shaivism |
| Major Scriptures | Shiva Purana, Linga Purana, Tevaram |
| Most Worshiped Forms | Nataraja, Lingodbhava, Ardhanarishvara |
| Sacred Symbol | Trishul (Trident) |
| Famous Shaivite Saint | Appar (Tirunavukkarasar) |
MCQs on Lord Shiva and Shaivism
1. What is Lord Shiva’s role in the Trimurti?
A) Creator
B) Destroyer
C) Preserver
D) None of the above
Answer: B) Destroyer
2. What is the name of Shiva’s divine weapon?
A) Sudarshana Chakra
B) Trishul
C) Vajra
D) Bow
Answer: B) Trishul
3. Which text contains the hymns of Nayanars?
A) Bhagavad Gita
B) Tevaram
C) Divya Prabandham
D) Ramayana
Answer: B) Tevaram
4. Who among the following was a famous female Nayanar?
A) Andal
B) Mirabai
C) Lalla Ded
D) Karaikkal Ammaiyar
Answer: D) Karaikkal Ammaiyar
5. Which Shiva temple is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas?
A) Jagannath Temple
B) Tirupati Temple
C) Kashi Vishwanath
D) Badrinath
Answer: C) Kashi Vishwanath
Subjective Questions for Further Revision
- Explain the importance of Lord Shiva in the Hindu Trimurti.
- Discuss the contributions of the Nayanars to Shaivism.
- Compare Shaivism and Vaishnavism in Hinduism.
- Describe the different forms of Lord Shiva and their meanings.
- Analyze the role of Shaiva saints in spreading the Bhakti Movement.
These notes are essential for UPSC, SSC, State PSCs, NDA, CDS, and other competitive exams covering Hinduism, Indian Culture, and Religious History. Revise thoroughly and practice the MCQs and subjective questions to strengthen your preparation! 🚀