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Brief Biography of Basavanna or Basava: Basavanna was the great Vira Saiva socio-religious teacher. He was also known by the names Basavaraja, Basavesvara. He was a deep thinker. He brought about vital changes in social adjustment and thought. He was the Saivite reformer of the Karnataka state. He gave the present form to the cult […]

Basava , also known as Basavanna (1106–1167)) was a philosopher and a social reformer, who fought against social evils of his time such as caste system and the ritual practices of Hinduism. His teachings and philosophy transcend all boundaries and address the universal and eternal. Basava was a great humanitarian, who advocated a new way […]

Depiction of Lord Shiva in Hindu Religious Literature Attributes: Shiva is described in religious literature with various epithets which denote not only his prowess and exalted status in the order of Creation but also his significance in the spiritual evolution of beings in all parts of the universe and in the liberation of mortal beings […]

Appar or Tirunavukkarasar Appar is one of the four Tamil Samaya Acharyas. He was a contemporary of Sambandhar. He was a Vellala or Tiru Amur in the district of Cuddalore, Tamilnadu. He was born of Pugalenar and Mathiniar. The parents gave the name Marulneekiar (dispeller of darkness or ignorance) to Appar. Appar means father. Sambandhar […]

History and Antiquity of Shiva and Shaivism Shiva was worshipped in the ancient times in various parts of not only the Indian subcontinent but elsewhere also. We have reasons to believe that He was worshipped with different names in Europe, Aftica and Central Asia. Some believe that there is a strong affinity between Shiva and […]

Shiva as Nataraja. Symbolism and Significance: Nataraja (Sanskrit: नटराज) means king or lord of the dance. It is an epithet, an aspect and a form of Lord Shiva as the cosmic dancer of the whole creation in his role as the creator, preserver, destroyer, concealer and revealer. His dance sets in motion the primal force […]

Advaita Vedanta: Advaita Vedanta was originally known as Purusavadha. Literally, it means not two. It is an ancient school of Hindu philosophy which gained acceptance with the growing popularity of Vedism or Brahmanism and the rise of Upanishadic devotional philosophy. It is believed to be one of the classic paths to spiritual realization as per […]

Vira Shaivism: Vira Shaivism, also known as Lingayatism was either founded or revived by Basava or Basavanna in the 12th Century CE. The sect gained prominence in the Karnataka region due to his teachings and efforts. Through his poetry and teachings known as Vachanas (sayings or verses) Basavanna spread social awareness among his followers exhorting […]

Saiva Siddhanta or Siddha Shaivism Shaiva Siddhanta is a more traditional form of Shaivism, with its roots in the early Bhakti movement, which took roots in the post Mauryan period. It played an important role in the rise of Shaivism as a major sectarian movement within the historic Vedic fold and the present-day Hinduism. Its […]

The System of Tantra: The word tantra (Sanskrit: तन्त्र) is derived from Tantu, meaning the thread or the connecting element in the body. The connecting element is God himself, who is also known as tantu nama who acts as the uniting or connecting aspect of the whole creation as the bearer of the thread (sutradhari). […]