A Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism Klaus K Klostermaie

173 Ÿloka-värtika
abode: the ‘Golden temple’ is a Ÿiva
sanctuary. ŸA¢KARA (2), the founder of
Advaita Vedänta, was a Ÿaivite and so
were many luminaries of India. Ÿiva is
also known as Maheÿvara (‘Great
God’), Gaögädhära (‘Bearer of the
Gaögä’), Iÿäna (‘Ruler’) and Viÿvanätha
(‘Lord of the Universe’), among other
names. Among the philosophical
schools based on Ÿaivism are ŸAIVA
SIDDHÄNTA and KASHMIR ŸAIVISM.
Ÿaivism is a vigorous and active Hindu
tradition today.
Ÿiväji (1627–80)
The son of Shahji Bonsle, a PESHWA, he
rose up against the Mogul emperor
Aurangzeb, and became the founder of
the last great Hindu empire. From his
capital city Pune he conquered large
tracts of north-western India and the
Deccan. He forced the Mogul emperor
to conclude a treaty conceding his
suzerainty over the conquered land. He
was just and took care of the weaker
sections of society, especially of women,
and was much admired and loved by his
people. He was very respectful towards
brahmins, but as he came from a ŸÜDRA
background they denied him coronation
according to Vedic rites. In later centuries
he acquired almost legendary status
and a Mahratta nationalist political
party established itself in 1962 under
the name of ‘Siv sena’, Ÿivajï’s army. It
has become the ruling party in
Mahärä•flra and is becoming an all-
India party now.
Ÿivaliöga
See LI¢GA (3).
Ÿivänanda, Swami
(1887–1963)
Founder of Ÿivänanda Ashram and
Yoga Vedänta Forest Academy in
Hø•ikeÿa. Born into the illustrious family
of Appaya Dik•ita in South India, he
studied medicine and practised as a doctor
for many years in Malaya before
becoming a SAMNYÄSI in Hø•ikeÿa in
1924. As a medical doctor he selflessly
attended to the poorest and most downtrodden,
and continued to do so after
founding the Ÿivänanda Ashram in
1932 and the Divine Life Society in
1936. In 1948 he established the Yoga
Vedänta Forest Academy. He continued
taking an interest in medicine, especially
in AYURVEDA, and opened a dispensary
and clinic. He also gave discourses
on spiritual matters and began publishing
pamphlets and books. The Ÿivänanda
Ashram has an international following
and both in letter and spirit promotes
universalism in religion. It is one of the
major establishments in Hø•ikeÿa and
well known all over India. The activities
of the ashram have been continued and
broadened by Ÿivänanda’s successor,
Swami Cidänanda (born 1916).
ÿivatva
(‘Ÿiva-ness’, Ÿiva nature)
ŸAIVA SIDDHÄNTA teaches that the true
nature of all humans is ÿivatva, Ÿiva
nature, which is hidden and curtailed
through sin. When sin is removed, the
Ÿiva nature reveals itself, bringing truth
and happiness.
slavery
Slavery did exist in ancient India, and
under the form of indentured labour it
continued into the 20th century.
ÿloka
(‘couplet’)
The smallest literary unit of the EPICS.
Ÿloka-värtika
Celebrated work by Kumärila Bhaflfla of
the MÏMÄßSÄ school, a commentary to
the first part of the Mïmäƒsä Sütras,
containing critiques especially of various
Buddhist schools.