The Sanskrit term Śivatattva can be transliterated into English as Sivatattva or Shivatattva, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

In Hinduism

Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)

Source: Wisdom Library: Śaivism

1) Śivatattva (शिवतत्त्व):—First of the five successive phases that occur during the unity of Śiva and Śakti (subject and object). Their unity is initiated upon the cosmic process of creation.

2) Śivatattva (शिवतत्त्व, “pure consciousness”):—One of the Thirty-six Tattvas, according to Śaiva doctrine. This is the first or thirty-sixth tattva (when counting in reverse). These primary principles (tattva) represent the different manifestations of Brahman (universal consciousness) which together form the basis of our experiences. The Śiva-tattva forms part of the group of five Śuddha-tattvas, which together constitue the realm of Śuddha-māyā.

Source: bhagavadgitausa.com: Kashmir Saivism

Siva Tattva: From Parama Siva, Supreme Siva. Siva has the Will power of Prakasa and the Manifest Power of Vimarsa Sakti. He is the origin of Vibration. The Siva Tattva is the First Spanda (Vibration, Pulsation, Throb) of Parama Siva. Siva Tattva is full of Ichcha Sakti, Jnana Sakti and Kriya Sakti (Desire or Will, Knowledge and Action). In this combined state of Siva and Sakti, the individual soul on its ascent feels that he is Siva Himself. The individual soul (Yogi) that has a felicitous ease of move up and down these Tattvas is a complete individual. This has a special bearing in Kundalini yoga. Siva having that ease of move up and down between Sivaness and state of individuality is the Reality of Siva. Siva that descends but cannot ascend is the state of reality of individuality.

Source: Shodhganga: Iconographical representations of Śiva

Śivatattva (शिवतत्त्व) represents Śiva’s niṣkala form. It is identical with him. Śiva is eternal (nitya) higher than the highest (parātpara), omnipresent, omniscient, omnipotent, pure, uncomparable (anaupamya), the cause of the cause (kāraṇa-kāraṇa).

Source: SOAS University of London: Protective Rites in the Netra Tantra

Śivatattva (शिवतत्त्व) refers to the Tattva which pervades all, according to the Netratantroddyota commentary on the Netratantra of Kṣemarāja: a Śaiva text from the 9th century in which Śiva (Bhairava) teaches Pārvatī topics such as metaphysics, cosmology, and soteriology.—Accordingly, [verse 4.1-2ab]—“[The thirty-six [are those] beginning with earth and ending with śiva [i.e., the complete set of thirty-six tattvas]. [...] The one is śivatattva, which pervades all. For the expansion of both transcendent (para) and imminent (apara) power means, both mokṣa and bhoga may be accomplished in all these without difference]”.

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.

Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)

Source: Google Books: Manthanabhairavatantram

Śivatattva (शिवतत्त्व) refers to the “Śiva principle”, according to the Manthānabhairavatantra, a vast sprawling work that belongs to a corpus of Tantric texts concerned with the worship of the goddess Kubjikā.—Accordingly, “[...] The Śiva principle [i.e., śivatattva] is the first. Sound is another and is the second. The third is the End of Sound. Śakti is another and is the fourth. The Pervasive One is said to be the fifth. The sixth is the plane of oneness (samarasa). By abandoning (these) six, there is liberation in the seventh (plane) where she, the Transmental, is the supreme (goddess—Parā). [...]”.

context information

Shakta (शाक्त, śākta) or Shaktism (śāktism) represents a tradition of Hinduism where the Goddess (Devi) is revered and worshipped. Shakta literature includes a range of scriptures, including various Agamas and Tantras, although its roots may be traced back to the Vedas.

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English Translation

Śivatattva (शिवतत्त्व) refers to the “principles of Śiva” (which dispels perverted knowledge), according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.3.44 (“Menā regains consciousness”).—Accordingly, as Brahmā narrated to Nārada: “O sage she lamented thus and in many a similar manner she cried in the excess of her grief. Then I came there quickly and narrated to her the principles of Śiva (śivatattva) which ought to have dispelled her perverted knowledge. [Brahmā said:—] ‘O Menā, you shall listen lovingly to my auspicious words whereby your evil inclination shall cease. [...]’”.

context information

The Purana (पुराण, purāṇas) refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.

General definition (in Hinduism)

Source: archive.org: A History of Indian Philosophy

According to the Vatula-tantra, Śiva-tattva is of three kinds:

1. niṣkala,
2. sakala and
3. niṣkala-sakala.

Source: Veda (wikidot): Hinduism

Shiva-Tattva: As the Universe is the creation of God's Own Mind (the Supreme Intelligence), the first Reality or Tattva naturally is God (Shiva) Himself. This level of Reality consists of Pure, Infinite Consciousness.

Source: Nadalila: 36 Tattva

The Benevolent One/Pure Consciousness (Śiva): unlimited absolute consciousness. ”I am” (aham). The formless ground of Reality. Also: the light of manifestation (prakāśa), or consciousness (cit-prakāśa).

Languages of India and abroad

Sanskrit dictionary

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Aufrecht Catalogus Catalogorum

Śivatattva (शिवतत्त्व) as mentioned in Aufrecht’s Catalogus Catalogorum:—vedānta. Oppert. 4829.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Śivatattva (शिवतत्त्व):—[=śiva-tattva] [from śiva] n. Name of [work] on Vedānta

context information

Sanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family (even English!). Closely allied with Prakrit and Pali, Sanskrit is more exhaustive in both grammar and terms and has the most extensive collection of literature in the world, greatly surpassing its sister-languages Greek and Latin.

Kannada-English dictionary

Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpus

Śivatattva (ಶಿವತತ್ತ್ವ):—[noun] (vīr.) the Śaiva philosophy.

context information

Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.

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