Gurur Brahmaa Gurur Vishnu Gurur Devo Maheshvarah
Guruh Saakshaat Para Brahma Tasmai Shri Gurave Namah
(Guru is Brahma, Guru is Vishnu, Guru is Maheswara. Consider Guru as your everything. All are embodiments of Divinity. In fact, all that you see is nothing but the Divine Cosmic Form)
Since ages, Hindus have visualised God in various manifestations of the divine principle. Among these manifestations, the Hindu pantheon of Shiva, Vishnu, and Brahma has always been held in highest regard as the holiest gods of all – ones who truly rule the world.
For Shaivites like us Lord Shiva is the Supreme being who is the embodiment of Hindu trinity and everything before and after! Considered to be one of the oldest sects of Hinduism, Shaivism can be traced back to the Indus Valley Civilization (5000 BC), with evidence of the worship of Lord Shiva having been found in ancient archaeological sites of Harappa and Mohenjo Daro. In fact, some evidence dates Shaivism to an even older tradition!
As followers of Shaivism we are popularly known as Shaivas or Shaivites. We have been around since eons. It all started in the early Vedic period when we worshipped Shiva as Rudra, a God feared and revered in equal measures. As the world moved to the later Vedic period, our ancestors were introduced to the Upanishads, particularly the Svetasvatara Upanishad that is believed to be the earliest textual exposition of a systematic philosophy of Shaivism. Lord Shiva is the Highest Supreme or Brahman among us Shaivites. Over centuries, rulers of many illustrious kingdoms have realized his absolute supremacy and followed the Shaivite path, building magnificent temples to honour Him.
Our fellow believers such as the Lingayats of south India, and Kashmiri Shaivites, contribute significantly to upholding the theological principles of Shaivism, along with the local or folk worship traditions. Many are still unrequited by the knowledge and realization of the eternal and absolute joy of knowing Shaivism, but for us Shaivites – it is the only way of life to achieve realization in this world and after.
