In Hinduism

Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)

Source: Brill: Śaivism and the Tantric Traditions

Somasiddhāntin (सोमसिद्धान्तिन्) refers to “Those of the Soma Doctrine” and is another name for the Kāpālikas (“skull-bearers”), who were perhaps the most notorious Śaiva ascetics of classical India. They were known for their cremation ground rituals and for wandering around with a skull for an alms bowl. The skull (kapāla), their most conspicuous attribute, also provided their name. But the Kāpālikas are also designated as Somasiddhāntins, “Those of the Soma Doctrine”, or the “Soma People with the Skull”. These appellations seem to have been of some importance because their initiation names also included or ended in -soma in most cases (e.g. Satyasoma, Devasomā, Somibhaṭṭāraka).

Note: The term Somasiddhāntin figures in the Pauṣkaravṛtti of Jñānaprakāśācārya, IFP transcript no. 110, p. 591. They are also called “Knowers of the Doctrine of Soma” (somasiddhāntavedin [somasiddhāntavedinaḥ] in Sarvajñānottara 14.4, edited by Goodall), which could be corrupt for somasiddhāntavādin [somasiddhāntavādinaḥ], “Those who Profess the Doctrine of Soma”.

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.

Languages of India and abroad

Sanskrit dictionary

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Somasiddhāntin (सोमसिद्धान्तिन्).—m. (-ntī) A follower of a branch of the Saivas. E. somasiddhānta the doctrine, and ini aff.

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

Somasiddhāntin (सोमसिद्धान्तिन्):—[=soma-siddhāntin] [from soma] m. a follower of the above system, [Horace H. Wilson]

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Somasiddhāntin (सोमसिद्धान्तिन्):—(ntī) 5. m. A follower of a branch of the Shaivas.

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.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Partial matches: Siddhantin, Soma.

Full-text: Somasiddhanta, Kapalika, Devasoma, Satyasoma, Somasiddhantavedin, Somasiddhantavadin, Somibhaṭṭāraka, Skull-bearer, Somajana, Somajanakapali, Kapalin.

Relevant text

Search found 1 books and stories containing Somasiddhantin, Somasiddhāntin, Soma-siddhantin, Soma-siddhāntin; (plurals include: Somasiddhantins, Somasiddhāntins, siddhantins, siddhāntins). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Lakulisha-Pashupata (Philosophy and Practice) (by Geetika Kaw Kher)

Connection between Lakulisa-Pasupatas and Kapalikas < [Chapter 2 - Spread and Transition]

Rise of Tantric Elements in Lakulisa-Pasupata order < [Chapter 2 - Spread and Transition]

show preview