Lakulisha-Pashupata (Philosophy and Practice)

by Geetika Kaw Kher | 2012 | 86,751 words

Hinduism Shaivism

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Summary: This study discusses the dynamics between the philosophy and practice in the Lakulisha-Pashupata order. According to the cave temples of Elephanta and Jogesvari (Jogeshwari), Lakulisa was the 28th incarnation of Shiva, and Pashupata Shaivism his doctrine, of which the Pasupatasutra represents the prominent text detailing various ritual practices (vidhi).

Source: shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in

Contents of this online book ( + / - )

The full text of the Lakulisha-Pashupata (Philosophy and Practice) in English is available here and publically accesible (free to read online). Of course, I would always recommend buying the book so you get the latest edition. You can see all this book’s content by visiting the pages in the below index:

Acknowledgements

. Prologue

. Purpose of the Study

. Brief Review of Scholarship

. Overall Structure and Methodological considerations

. Overall Structure and Methodological considerations

+ Chapter 1 - The Historical Context

. Brief History of Saivism with a Focus on Pasupati Aspect

. Early Textual References

. Early Evidences from Art, Archeology and History

. Sculptural Evidence

. Pasupata History (Introduction)

. Srikantha in the Saiva pantheon

. History of Lakulisa-Pasupata order

+ Chapter 2 - Spread and Transition

. The Spread and Transition of Lakulisa-Pasupata Order

. Kusika and the Ascetic Aspirants: Early form of Lakulisa-Pasupata order

. Rise of Tantric Elements in Lakulisa-Pasupata order

. The Lakulisa-Pasupata activity in Orissa

. Nisvasasamhita and Saiva Initiation of the kings

. Kalamukhas: The politically organized Saivite ascetics

. Traces of Lakulisa-Pasupata order in North India

. Evidence of Ajivika cult in Kashmir

. Goraksanatha and Natha Sampradaya

. A brief insight in Vajrayana Buddhism

. Sahajayana and the point of overlap

. Kapalikas and the cult of body

. Connection between Lakulisa-Pasupatas and Kapalikas

. Samkaracarya and Kapalikas

. Kapalikas and Natha Siddhas

. Kalamukhas and Virasaivas: The present day tradition

+ Chapter 3 - The Ritualistic Context

. Ritual and Symbolism

. Locating the Lakulisa-Pasupata rites in the world of Saivite rituals

. An insight into Asceticism

. Diksa (Initiation)

. Guru: The divine preceptor

. Vyakhyana Daksinamurti

. Vidhis: Use of Ashes (Meanings and Metaphors) and Nudity

+ Chapter 4 - The Philosophical Context

. Introducing Lakulisa-Pasupata philosophy

. Brief Summary of Pasupata Sutra as collated from various sources

. Critical rereading of Pasupata-sutra

. Philosophical nature of Pasupata-sutra and Pancharthabhasya

. Siddhi in Pasupata-sutra and Yoga-sutra

. Classifiction of the system as an Ati-margika one

. Ganakarika by Acharya Bhasarvajna

. Apparent Monotheism

. Superconciousness and a Theological explanation

+ Chapter 5 - The Mythological Bridge

. Skanda Purana: Providing the building blocks for Saiva mythology

. Iconographical Explanation

. Siva Nataraja

+ Chapter 6 - Siva-linga: an Iconological Study

. Siva-linga and its symbolism

. Historicity (of the term linga)

. Mukhalingas and esoteric meanings

Appendix 1 - Some Mystical aspects of the Kashmiri Folktale Akanandun

Appendix 2 - An Enquiry into the Sectarian Affiliation of the Ruins at Harwan

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Last Updated: 13 March, 2022

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