Puranic and/or non-tantric Shaivism/Skaktism today?

[Aupmanyav]

You are always welcome, Tabu.

 

[User14]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I have not yet been able to find any particular lineages or sub-sects that encompass exactly what I was talking about in my OP. But I think a reasonably good label to describe me
would be a devotee of the "emotional Shakta bhakta" variety as described
by June McDaniel in her book on varieties of Shaktism (she was writing about Shaktism in Bengal but I think the categories she identified can be applied to Shaktas everywhere).

 

[Aupmanyav]

That is good. Now the second step, choose a Goddess to shower your devotion. The standard nine Durgas of Hinduism - Shailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandmata, Katyayani, Kalaratri, Mahagauri and Siddhidatri.

Apart from that regional Goddesses. In Kashmir, Sharika, Ragnya (strict vegeteranian during their festivals - Navratri), Jwala would not mind non-vegetarian food. Vaishnavi, Dhari, Naina, Jwala, Sheetla, Chamunda, Chintapurni, Brajeshwari and Manasa in Himachal Pradesh. Etc.

 

[Bhadr]

That is good. Now the second step, choose a Goddess to shower your devotion. The standard nine Durgas of Hinduism - Shailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandmata, Katyayani, Kalaratri, Mahagauri and Siddhidatri.

Apart from that regional Goddesses. In Kashmir, Sharika, Ragnya (strict vegeteranian during their festivals - Navratri), Jwala would not mind non-vegetarian food. Vaishnavi, Dhari, Naina, Jwala, Sheetla, Chamunda, Chintapurni, Brajeshwari and Manasa in Himachal Pradesh. Etc.

Aupji,you want to frighten him or what?
Don't bombard him with goddesses.Let him figure out things gradually.
.

 

[User14]

Aupji,you want to frighten him or what?
Don't bombard him with goddesses.Let him figure out things gradually.
.

I've read about most of those goddesses. I don't know which is my favorite! I kind of view them all as different aspects or moods of the same Devi. But I am particularly drawn to Parvati and other manifestations of her gentle side (Uma, Gauri, Minakshi, Abhirami, Annapurna, etc.).

 

[Shrew]

I am particularly drawn to Parvati and other manifestations of her gentle side (Uma, Gauri, Minakshi, Abhirami, Annapurna, etc.).

Don't forget Ganga Mata
She purifies everyone.

 

[User14]

Don't forget Ganga Mata
She purifies everyone.

She's often contrasted with Durga/Kali/Uma/Tara in devotional poetry I've read, as being the "step-Mother," Shiva's other consort. So for better or for worse, I've kind of come to view her as a separate thing.

 

[Aupmanyav]

But I am particularly drawn to Parvati and other manifestations of her gentle side (Uma, Gauri, Minakshi, Abhirami, Annapurna, etc.).

Very correct. Ma Parvati and Durga are sort of Base Mothers. Binary, like 0 and 1.

 

[User14]

Very correct. Ma Parvati and Durga are sort of Base Mothers. Binary, like 0 and 1.

So are you saying that Parvati and Durga should be seen as possessing two different sets of manifestations/forms? Like every mother deity should be seen as a form of one or the other?

 

[Aupmanyav]

I leave this to you. This is your prerogative. I would not intrude upon it.
See your deity in the way you want to see it. ShivaFan, DeviChaya, Ratikala, all have their own perspectives. Basic premise of Hinduism.

 

[User14]

My current, still evolving perspective is that Parvati is kind of the base deity from whom all of Shiva's various consorts emanate (except for maybe Ganga, as well Sati, of whom Parvati is a reincarnation).

 

[DeviChaaya]

Sati and Parvati are the same deity. Sati immolates herself as a show of anger at her 'father' who was deluded and thought that he could exclude Ma - energy, vitality, that very thing that makes existence exist - and Shiva - the field upon which existence moves, pure and unadulterated consciousness (inert without Shakti and therefore inseparable from Shakti and vice versa) - from his sacrifice. In the end all sacrifices, all actions, are performed for Conscious Energy, Shiva Shakti. It is all leela designed to teach us.

As Parvati is Shakti that means that Ganga is a physical manifestation of Shakti. She is Shakti's daughter, in a sense, and for the grace of the world Shiva maintains Ganga in his coiled locks, so that She, who is pure, vitalising energy, can descend to Earth and bless the waters.

How can Ma be jealous of Ganga? Without Ma there would be no Ganga ma, no Manasi Ganga. No Ganga period. No world. No worlds.

It is all leela, used to increase our loving devotion to Isvari.

 

[User14]

More on rgyan.com/blogs

The image used for Piplaad avatar...doesn't it depict Shiva as Amritaghateswarar saving Markandeya from Yama?

 

[Vinayaka]

Classical Saivism has no concept avatars. The concept is a projection from other sects, and is demonstrative of how beliefs get mixed.

 

[Kirran]

Classical Saivism has no concept avatars. The concept is a projection from other sects, and is demonstrative of how beliefs get mixed.

I don't really believe in the concept myself. I just tend to express this by saying everyone is an avatar rather than by saying nobody is an avatar.

 

[Vinayaka]

I don't really believe in the concept myself. I just tend to express this by saying everyone is an avatar rather than by saying nobody is an avatar.

Yes, I know. Certainly not the primary reason why I'm a Saiva, but a contributing one. Never made sense to me personally. especially the several Gurus alive today whose followers make the claim.

As to your concept, I certainly view there is potential within every being to attain moksha, become Self-realised. So the only difference is what stage we're at in that individual's spiritual progress/evolution. But there is certainly a difference in people at the moment. That's why we need such a wide variety of world religions.

 

[Kirran]

Yes, I know. Certainly not the primary reason why I'm a Saiva, but a contributing one. Never made sense to me personally. especially the several Gurus alive today whose followers make the claim.

As to your concept, I certainly view there is potential within every being to attain moksha, become Self-realised. So the only difference is what stage we're at in that individual's spiritual progress/evolution. But there is certainly a difference in people at the moment. That's why we need such a wide variety of world religions.

Sometimes it makes sense, like to talk about some realised soul as an avatar, cos they're in that utter communion with their own nature. So we talk about like Yogaswami or Ramakrishna or someone as an avatar, but it's really more that they've realised they're an avatar whereas us plebs haven't.

Yeah, that variation is clearly required. Shall we set up some more religions so they have more options? Look, you go brainstorm three, I'll brainstorm three, and we'll get together and compare notes after the weekend.

 

[Bhadr]

Some members here have taken initiation(afaik only in Shaivam or Vaishnavam).Are any members of our forum initiated in Sakta tradition?
.

 

[User14]

Some members here have taken initiation(afaik only in Shaivam or Vaishnavam).Are any members of our forum initiated in Sakta tradition?
.

I'd like to know this too!

 

[Vinayaka]

Why would anyone want to know if another person has taken initiation somewhere? Of what use would come of it? I can't see it as meaning much within the context of a discussion forum.