Views of Reality

Sloka 146

What Are Saiva Siddhanta's Two Schools?

There are two Saiva Siddhanta schools: pluralistic theism, whose teachers were Aghorasiva and Meykandar, and monistic theism, taught by Tirumular. While differing slightly, they share a religious heritage of belief, culture and practice.

Sloka 147

What Are the Two Views on Creation?

Monistic theists believe that Siva creates the cosmos as an emanation of Himself. He is His creation. Pluralistic theists say that Siva molds eternally existing matter to fashion the cosmos and thus remains apart from His creation.

Sloka 148

What Are the Views on God and Soul?

For the monistic theist, the soul is created out of God Siva and will merge back in Him as a river to the sea. For pluralists, God pervades the soul but did not create it; thus, in their view God and soul remain separate forever.

Sloka 149

What Are the Differing Views on Evil?

For monistic theists, the world is Siva's perfect creation, containing each thing and its opposite. For pluralistic theists, the world is tarnished with evil; thus, they say, it could not be the creation of a perfect God.

Sloka 150

What Are the Views on the End of the Universe?

Monistic theists say that when the universe ends, all creation is withdrawn into Siva, and He alone exists. Pluralistic theists state that the world and souls persist in subtle form beyond the great dissolution and will later reemerge.