Shaivism: A Deeply Spiritual Hindu Tradition 

Shaivism is one of the major branches of Hinduism, concentrating on worshipping Shiva as the main deity. This ancient sect has a history of thousands of years, with deep philosophical, spiritual and social dimensions that influence Hindu society. The tradition is observed in India, Nepal, Southeast Asia and Sri Lanka, so it is safe to say that it is one of the most diverse beliefs of Hinduism. It has roots in early Hindu texts, like The Vedas and Upanishads and can be traced back to Indus Valley Civilization (circa 3300-1300 BCE), where we can find worshipping of a proto-Shiva figure called “Pashupati”. This early symbolism can be found in the regions of modern-day Pakistan and northern India.  

In religious texts such as Mahabharata, Ramayana and the Vedas, Shiva is portrayed as a principal deity. Therefore, it is safe to say that Shaivism is one of the oldest Hindu beliefs. However, it is important to know the difference between the ancient Shiva worshipping and the medieval period Shaivism. It was during the medieval period that Shaivism expanded into various different schools of thought and evolved into Shaivism as we know today. These schools of thought are Shaiva Siddhanta, Kashmir Shaivism and Shaktism.

Beliefs of Shaivism 

Beliefs of Shaivism revolve around worshipping Shiva as the creator and destroyer of the universe. Shaivites believe that material and spiritual worlds are manifestation of Shiva’s divine energy and spiritual practices can help them come closer to realize their oneness with this divine energy. The realization of the individual soul is equal to the divine essence can lead ones’ liberation from the cycle of rebirth, samsara. 

Shaivism contains paradoxical beliefs; Shiva symbolizes both ascetic and hedonistic natures and embodies humanistic aspects like love, passion, compassion, while also representing yoga and detachment from worldly desires. This duality is the center of the belief system of Shaivism and highlights the equilibrium between inner peace, spiritual self and worldly virtues.

Shaivite Rituals 

As a deeply spiritual sect, Shaivism has a rich ritual culture. Since the belief has spread in many different parts of South Asia, there are various different rituals and religious practices among the believers from different cultures and schools of Shaivism. However, there are some core practices that most of the devotees participate in. For example, the practice of Puja, the act of worshipping Shiva. The believers offer water, flowers and other types of offerings to images of Shiva, seeking the god’s blessings for well-being. The other important religious practice is Yoga, it only makes sense because Shiva is considered as the lord of yogi. It is very important for Shaivites to attain a level of deep connection with the divine god and realize the ultimate essence of the divine energy. Mantras and chants are very important part of Shaivite rituals, especially the syllable “Om Namah Shivaya”. Believers use chants to purify the mind and soul and bring them closer to liberation from samsara. 

Conclusion 

Like we said before, Shaivism is one of the most spiritual traditions of Hinduism. It has a deep understanding of human nature, along with its spiritual essence. It also has an individualist side, as they believe every single human being is a part of divine energy and people can manifest well-being with an ascetic lifestyle without the necessity of a monastic life. However, whether through the devotion of a temple or individual practices, Shaivism encourages believers to realize their deep consciousness and discover the relationship between the universe and their inner self.