Shaiva and Bhagavata Religion Notes with PDF

Ancient Indian Religion & Philosophy

I. Cosmology & Time Cycles (Yugas)

• The cycle of four epochs (Yugas) is sequential.
• Correct Order: Krita Yuga → Treta Yuga → Dwapara Yuga → Kali Yuga.

II. Major Sects & Traditions

A. Shaivism (Worship of Shiva)

• Sects: The Mattamayura was a notable Shaiva sect during the ancient period (mentioned in Chedi Dynasty records).
• Saints: The Nayanars were Tamil poet-saints devoted to Shiva.
• Iconography – Ardhanarishvara: A composite form of Shiva and his consort Parvati (half-male, half-female).

B. Vaishnavism & The Bhagavata Cult (Worship of Vishnu/Krishna)

• Origin & Key Figures:
  • The Bhagavata religion (an early form of Vaishnavism) was originated by Vasudeva Krishna (son of Devaki of the Vrishni clan, Mathura).
  • The Bhagavatas were the first to worship Vasudeva Krishna.
  • Earliest Textual Reference: Chhandogya Upanishad, where Krishna is a disciple of Ghora Angirasa.
• Patronage:
  • The Gupta dynasty were great patrons, making it a state religion.
  • Gupta rulers adopted the title ‘Parama Bhagavata’ (supreme devotee of Vishnu).
  • Garuda (Vishnu’s mount) was the official state symbol of the Gupta Empire.
• Beliefs & Practices:
  • Prescribed Navadha Bhakti (Nine forms of devotion) as a path to Moksha.
• Iconography:
  • Balarama (Krishna’s brother), also known as Haldhar, is consistently depicted holding a plow.
• Saints – The Alvars:
  • Tamil poet-saints devoted to Vishnu.
  • Prominent Alvars included Poigai, Pudam, and Thirumangai.
  • Note: Tirugyan was not an Alvar saint.

C. Shaktism (Worship of the Goddess)

• Text: The Kalika Purana is a minor Purana associated with Shaktism.
  • Its purpose was to bring Shiva out of asceticism.
  • Thought to have been composed in Assam by the sage Markandeya.

III. Philosophy (Darshanas)

A. Core Classification: Astika vs. Nastika

• The key distinction is the belief in the authenticity of the Vedas.
  • Astika (orthodox) systems accept the Vedas as true.
  • Nastika (heterodox) systems do not accept the authority of the Vedas.

B. Vedanta Schools

• Foundational Text: The Bhagavad Gita gives equal importance to Jnana (knowledge), Karma (action), and Bhakti (devotion).
• Major Vedantic Philosophers & Their Schools:
  • Shankaracharya: Founder of Advaita Vedanta (Non-dualism).
  • Ramanujacharya: Founder of Vishishtadvaita Vedanta (Qualified non-dualism).
  • Madhvacharya: Founder of Dvaita Vedanta (Dualism).
  • Vallabhacharya: Founder of Shuddhadvaita Vedanta (Pure non-dualism).
• Prasthanatrayi (Three Canonical Texts of Vedanta):
  1. Upanishads (Shruti Prasthan)
  2. Bhagavad Gita (Smriti Prasthan)
  3. Brahma Sutras (Nyaya Prasthan)
  • Note: The Bhagavata Purana is not included in the Prasthanatrayi.

C. Other Philosophical Systems

• Purva Mimamsa:
  • Key concept is Apurva—the invisible force generated by rituals that yields results later.
• Charvaka (Lokayata Darshan):
  • A materialistic and hedonistic school.
  • Considers direct perception as the only valid source of knowledge.
  • Encourages a joyful and pleasurable life.

IV. Scriptures & Literature

A. Epics

• Mahabharata: The first public narration of the entire epic for an audience of 60,000 sages took place at Naimisharanya (Sitapur district, UP).
• Ramayana: The first meeting of Lord Rama and Hanuman is described in the Kishkindha Kanda (fourth section).

B. Sanskrit Grammar & Linguistics

• Key texts and authors:
  • Ashtadhyayi (on grammar) by Panini
  • Mahabhashya (commentary on Panini) by Patanjali
  • Nirukta (on etymology) by Yaska
  • Varttika (explanatory notes on Panini) by Katyayana

V. Iconography & Incarnations (Dashavatara)

• Varaha (The Boar Incarnation):
  • The third incarnation of Vishnu.
  • Purpose: To defeat the demon Hiranyaksha and lift the Earth (Bhudevi) from the cosmic ocean.
  • Iconography: Boar’s head, human body, four arms holding conch, discus, mace, and lotus, carrying the Earth in his tusks.
  • Note: Hiranyakashipu was defeated by the Narasimha incarnation.

VI. Pilgrimage & Festivals

• Rath Yatra (Chariot Festival): Celebrated at Puri, Odisha, in honor of Lord Jagannath (a form of Krishna).
• Kumbh Mela: Held every 12 years on the banks of four rivers:
  1. The Godavari River at Nashik.
  2. The Ganga at Haridwar.
  3. The confluence of the Ganga and Yamuna at Prayagraj.
  4. The Kshipra River at Ujjain.

VII. Deities & Terminology

• Kamadeva: The Hindu god of love and desire.
• Ananga: “The bodiless one,” another name for Kamadeva.

VIII. Holy Sites of Various Religions

• Jainism: Pavapuri (Bihar) – Place of Mahavira’s Nirvana.
• Hinduism: Varanasi (UP) on the banks of the Ganga – Holiest city.
• Islam: Medina (Saudi Arabia) – Second holiest city after Mecca.
• Christianity: Vatican City (Italy) – Headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church.

IX. Historical Evidence: The Besnagar Inscription

• Artifact: The Garuda Pillar at Besnagar (Vidisha).
• Significance: The first stone pillar monument associated with the Bhagavata religion.
• Erected by: Heliodorus, a Greek ambassador from Takshila (Taxila).
• Key Message: The inscription declares Heliodorus as a ‘Bhagavata’ (devotee) and praises Vasudeva as the ‘Devadeva’ (God of Gods).
• Importance: Provides crucial historical evidence of a Greek convert to the Bhagavata faith.