Shaiva Upanishads (A Critical Study)

by Arpita Chakraborty | 2013 | 33,902 words

This page relates ‘Shiva in Puranas’ of the study on the Shaiva Upanishads in English, comparing them with other texts dealing with the Shiva cult (besides the Agamas and Puranas). The Upaniṣads are ancient philosophical and theological treatises. Out of the 108 Upanishads mentioned in the Muktikopanishad, 15 are classified as Saiva-Upanisads.

2. Śiva in Purāṇās

In the Purāṇās we find very detailed treatment of many concepts of Śaivism. Some of the Purāṇās deal exclusively with Śiva and Śaivism. They are categorized as Śiva Purāṇās. The Śiva Purāṇās describe Śiva as the highest and Supreme Being and other gods and divinities subordinate to him as a part of his vast creation. Vāyu Purāṇa is considered to be one of the oldest of the Śiva Purāṇās. Other important Śiva Purāṇās are the Matsya Purāṇa, the Brahmāṇḍa Purāṇa, Skanda Purāṇa, Liṅga Purāṇa, Vāmana Purāṇa and of course the Śiva Purāṇa. While the Viṣṇu Purāṇās depict Brahma as originating from the navel of Viṣṇu, the Śiva Purāṇās inform us that Brahmā became a creator and Viṣṇu became a preserver by virtue of their devotion to Śiva and meritorious deeds in their previous lives.[1]

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

S.E.

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