Lord Shiva - A basic introduction (Part 3)

Who are panch bramhan ? Are Rudra Maheshwar and Sadashiv different ? 

Shaivism has its own philosophy. I will try to give this answer on both Vedic and Agamic basis.

First let us start with a story in Sadguru’s style :-

There was a great Vishnu devotee, Shankaran Pillai. He always use to do bhajan of Shriman Narayana everyday and use to ask him by seeing his Satya Narayan murti to come to his home with Maa Lakshmi to bless him. After some years of his selfless devotion, Shriman’s heart got melted and came to his house taking form of Rama and Maa Lakshmi came taking form of Sita.

Now what should Shankaran Pillai do ? Should he ask them to go ? Because he did’nt invited Rama Sita, instead he invited Satya Narayana and Lakshmi. Yes ??

Answer is NO !!!!!!!!!

He will definitely welcome them because he knew that Rama Sita is no other than Narayana and Lakshmi.

Same goes here Shiva in Shaivism. ParaShiva is the supreme form of Shiva. Now here Siva is consort less. Yes here he dont have Shakti with him instead Shakti is within him. So actually whom we are referring as He is not He actually but it. ParaShiva is nothing. Its Niraakaar Nirguna Brahman. It can be also represented as Linga. Now its Saguna Sakaar form is Ardhanarishwara.

Now ParaShiva if called as ParaShakti, then also no problem, it can be said that also.

Now coming to who is SadaShiva. ParaShiva takes form as SadaShiva and separates itself from Shakti. This is just for doing leelas. Shiva Shakti separation is just to show but not actually they separate. They are one and the same. Now in Shaivism, Shakti can be any form of the supreme goddess. She is mainly seen as Uma Bhavani or Jagadambike Chandike Durga Devi. But she can take any form like Lalitha, Mahakaali, Kubjika, etc.

Shiva is now the experiencer. Shiva will not do any work but will experience his Shakti. Like Kaali dancing on Shiva is one of those experience. Now Shakti takes 3 types of forms. Those are Para, Apara and Para Para.

Like becoming Apara Shakti, Shakti is Prakriti. Becoming Prakriti she even becomes Paash for we Pashus.

Now coming to the question, who is Shiva/Rudra, Maheshwara and SadaShiva.

Now Rudra is the same supreme SadaShiva who destroys the WHOLE Universe at the end of the Kalpa. That’s why Shiva is also called as Kalpantaka. Point to be noted Shaivism has only one Universe in consideration. We dont accept the theory of Omniverse (Multiple Universes).

Shiva actually initiates the creation by separating from Shakti by becoming SadaShiva which is the supreme most form of Shiva. Now coming to the point, who is Maheshwara. Maheshwara is actually in SHAIVISM is another name of Shiva and the function of this form is to take away Jeeva from Ignorance. Maheshwara actually means Great God and no God in Shaivism is as great as Shriman Mahadeva.

Now coming to Pancha Brahman, S Dev Pandey Sir have given an answer already, in Shaivism generally Pancha Mukha of SadaShiva is regarded as Pancha Brahman faces. It's said in Agamas and even in Pancha-Bramha Upanishad of Yajur Veda. However later philosophies included Kartikeya, Ganesha, Vishnu and Bramha as Pancha Brahman who came from Shiva, where Kartikeya and Ganesha came very very much after Vishnu and Bramha and were basically regarded as Shiva’s ansha or Shivanasha.

All the forms are to be taken by Shiva only so no difference at all. For more knowledge one can visit my these 2 answers which are based on Vedas and for Agamas ask me personally in message, I am not that eligible to read the Agamas so I read only those Agamas which are suggested to me and parts of it given to me by my Guruji’s Ashrama.

Sorry for too Short answer !!!!!! As because I am very busy these days, I cant write too big answers here.

Dhanyawaad !!!!!!!!!!

Om Namaste Astu Baghavan Visweswaraaya Mahadevaaya Trayambakaaya Tripurantakaaya Trikaalagni Kalaaya Kaalagni Rudraaya Neelakanthaya Mrityunjayaaya Sarveswaraaya Sadasivaaya Shriman Mahadevaaya Namah !!!!!!!!!

Om Namo Bhagwate Rudraaya !!!!!!!!!