Pashupatas

Pashupatas are members of a Shivaite sect, which formed the first Shivaite group to appear in literature. So they are at Patanjali in the 2nd century BC. And mentioned in the Mahabharata .

The Pashupatas are also called Lakulisha after one of their teachers, but the historical Lakulisha and his teachings probably appeared later.

The knowledge of the sect's teachings is based on later texts, the Sarvadarshanasamgraha of Madhava from the 14th century, and the Pashupata Sutras with a commentary by Kaudinya probably from the 4th-6th centuries. Century.

The following categories can be seen from these texts:

1. The deity (Pati), also called the cause (Karana).
2. Karya, the effect that is materiality (Pasa, Kala), soul (Pashu) and knowledge (Vidya).
3. Yoga , contemplation.
4. Vidhi, right conduct, religious deeds.
5. Dukhanta, redemption.

The theology of the Pashupatas is based on the fact that God ( Shiva ) is grace and redeems the soul from suffering. The grace of God is obtained through yoga and right conduct (vidhi).

literature

• Denise Cush, Catherine Robinson, Michael York (Eds.): Encyclopedia of Hinduism. London (et al.), Routledge 2008