Introduction

Adishaiva means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.

The Sanskrit term Ādiśaiva can be transliterated into English as Adisaiva or Adishaiva, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

In Hinduism

Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)

Source: Wisdom Library: Śaivism

Ādiśaiva (आदिशैव) refers to one of the seven types of śaivas, according to the Vīrāgama, which is one of the twenty-eight Śaivāgamas. These āgamas form the foundational literature in some of the main schools of Śaivism.

Source: Exotic India: Two Saiva Teachers of the Sixteenth Century

Ādiśaiva (आदिशैव) .—Regarding ādiśaiva the Kāmikāgama says that they are born in the family of sages such as Kauśika who were initiated directly by Śiva immediately after the creation of the world. Therefore they are qualified to undertake all the rites [as prescribed in the āgamas] such as consecration, installation [in the temple], worship in public and expounding the [āgamas] (vyākhyāna).

The Kāraṇāgama and the Santānāgama also state that only the ādiśaiva is qualified to do these rites and if the rites are done by others it will bring only calamity.

Source: Shodhganga: Temple management in the Āgamas

Ādiśaiva (आदिशैव) refers to the Śaiva initiates qualified to rituals and ceremonies.—The Ādiśaiva are considered to have been created from the five faces of Śiva rather than by Brahma and hence are called śivasṛṣṭi. The Ācāryābhiṣekavidhipaṭala of Kāmikāgama avers that only Ādiśaivas are eligible to perform the rituals of sthāpana and so on. All the four varṇas starting from regular Brāhmaṇa are only eligible to observe their own karma.

In the temple, the Ādiśaiva priests are classified by the Āgama into five levels:—

1. Ācārya,
2. Arcaka,
3. Sādhaka,
4. Alaṅkṛta.
5. Vācaka.

It is the dharma of the ādiśaiva to work for the welfare of the whole universe. The essential qualification for a healthy Ādiśaiva male to perform his priestly duties is dīkṣā or initiation. Dīkṣā has several levels and represents a hierarchy of spiritual progress. The experienced preceptor tests and trains his śiṣya before bestowing the next level of initiation.

context information

Shaiva (शैव, śaiva) or Shaivism (śaivism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshiping Shiva as the supreme being. Closely related to Shaktism, Shaiva literature includes a range of scriptures, including Tantras, while the root of this tradition may be traced back to the ancient Vedas.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Partial matches: Shaiva, Adi.

Ends with: Anadishaiva.

Full-text (+35): Shivabrahmana, Vacaka, Alamkrita, Alankrita, Arcaka, Shaivacarya, Navanaivedya, Lokapalashtakadana, Acarya, Naladisthapana, Shastri, Yogadiksha, Pradhanacarya, Hiranyagarbhadana, Vrishabhasthapana, Manasi, Simhasanapratishtha, Murdheshtaka, Pratimapratishtha, Cakshushi.

Relevant text

Search found 1 books and stories containing Adishaiva, Ādiśaiva, Adi-shaiva, Ādi-śaiva, Adisaiva, Adi-saiva; (plurals include: Adishaivas, Ādiśaivas, shaivas, śaivas, Adisaivas, saivas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

A History of Indian Philosophy Volume 5 (by Surendranath Dasgupta)

Part 1 - The Literature and History of Southern Śaivism < [Chapter XXXIV - Literature of Southern Śaivism]

Part 1 - History and Literature of Vīra-śaivism < [Chapter XXXV - Vīra-śaivism]

Part 2 - Śaiva Philosophy in the Vāyavīya-saṃhitā of the Śiva-mahāpurāṇa < [Chapter XXXVII - The Śaiva Philosophy in the Purāṇas]

show preview