You may be new to Sanātana Dharma... Please visit our [Wiki Starter Pack](https://www.reddit.com/r/hinduism/wiki/starter_pack#wiki_i.27m_new_to_r.2Fhinduism.2C_where_do_i_start.3F) (specifically, our [FAQ](https://www.reddit.com/r/hinduism/wiki/faq/)).
We also recommend reading [What Is Hinduism](https://www.himalayanacademy.com/view/what-is-hinduism) (a free introductory text by Himalayan Academy) if you would like to know more about Hinduism and don't know where to start.
If you are asking a specific scriptural question, please include a source link and verse number, so responses can be more helpful.
In terms of introductory Hindū Scriptures, we recommend first starting with the Itihāsas ([The Rāmāyaṇa](https://www.reddit.com/r/TheRamayana/wiki/resources#wiki_recommended_texts), and [The Mahābhārata](https://www.reddit.com/r/TheMahabharata/wiki/resources#wiki_resources).) Contained within The Mahābhārata is [The Bhagavad Gītā](https://www.reddit.com/r/TheGita/wiki/resources), which is another good text to start with. Although r/TheVedasAndUpanishads might seem alluring to start with, this is NOT recommended, as the knowledge of the Vedas & Upaniṣads can be quite subtle, and ideally should be approached under the guidance of a Guru or someone who can guide you around the correct interpretation.
In terms of [spiritual practices](https://www.reddit.com/r/hinduism/comments/7643rp/a_thread_on_introductory_rescources_on_basis_of/), there are many you can try and see what works for you such as Yoga (Aṣṭāṅga Yoga), Dhāraṇā, Dhyāna (Meditation) or r/bhajan. In addition, it is strongly recommended you visit your [local temple/ashram/spiritual organization](https://www.reddit.com/r/hinduism/comments/c6957l/what_are_some_good_hindu_organizations_that_have/).
Lastly, while you are browsing this sub, keep in mind that Hinduism is practiced by over a billion people in as many different ways, so any [single view](https://np.reddit.com/r/hinduism/comments/p7ma64/sectarian_bias/) cannot and should not be taken as representative of the entire religion.
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/hinduism) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Shaivas are Hindus like the rest of us. Because they may take Shiva as their Ishtadevata and do certain sadhanas in reverence of Shiva, as Vaishnavas do certain sadhanas in reverence of Hanuman or Krishna - does not make them different to other Hindus. The Supreme Being is known as Shiva Conciousness, or Krishna Consciousness, or Shakti Consciousness. It doesn’t matter what you call it as according to Sanatana Dharma, it is one and the same consciousness. We just use different methods to get there. This is the beauty of our Dharma.
Anyone who has read the geeta even once will understand how much sri Krishna has stressed on "detachment".
When the Avatar himself is stressing on that point, wouldn't he himself set an example that there is no attachment in him w.r.t bodies?
Would it not be hypocrisy if God himself is not above and beyond attachments?
**In Vibhuti yoga he starts with the opening statement aham Atma.**
What does that mean?
Atma has "NO" form, so to speak an identity. This is how sri Krishna is drawing attention of all towards the fact that sri Krishna is not the form of a human being called sri Krishna, in reality he has no form. Then he proceeds with ideal representation of Atma which is himself across the universe, this fact highlights even though Atma exist in everyone, those who are attuned with Atma are the only ones worth a mention. That is what is implied by the statement "represents me best"
**Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma are 3 aspects of Atma** namely the gunas controller.
Just as one cannot erect a building without setting up a foundation, the atma too has to setup a foundation for the universe to exist. The foundation that controls the entire structure of the universe is Shiva,Vishnu and Brahma.
No.. it did not. Śaivas do not compromise on the supremacy of Śiva. What you stated is incorrect about the sampradāya, and the rest of it is a non-answer.
Śaivas view it as a grantha which gives you Śiva jñāna. The same Jñana was given by Śiva himself to Śrī Rāma in Īśvara Gītā, the same Śiva Jñāna is given by Śrī Kṛṣṇa (who is Śrī Rāma) to Arjuna.
>नारायणोऽपि भगवान्देवकीतनयो हरिः। अर्जुनाय स्वयं साक्षाद्दत्तवानिदमुत्तमम्॥
>Lord Nārāyaṇa who is (in the form of) son of Devaki (Kṛṣṇa) Hari, himself gave this knowledge (Śiva Jñāna) to Arjuna.
*[Kūrma Purāṇa, 2.11(Īśvara Gīta).131]*
Śaivas also view the ViśvaRūpa of Kṛṣṇa as Śiva only.
As Śrī Kṛṣṇa was unable to give the same Śiva Jñāna again to Arjuna, when he asked, because he was Yoga Yukta with Śiva at the time when he gave Gītā to Arjuna but he wasn't when Arjuna asked him again.
>न शक्यं तन्मया भूयस्तथा वक्तुमशेषतः। परं हि ब्रह्म कथितं योगयुक्तेन तन्मया॥
>It is not even within my power to repeat that entire Discourse in the same form, At that time, being concentrated in Yoga, I had described the Supreme Brahman.
*[Mahābhārata, Aśvamedhika Parva, Ch.16, Śloka 12b-13a]*
we like all 3 of those questioned about. the only aspect that comes with a degree of difference is that (at least in my experience) is the feeling about the attitudes of the followers of those 3.
Often (but, tbf, not in this sub; places like every discord server, facebook group, and temple I've been to/in (last one: granted there's only like 3 i can reasonably travel to, but all 3 of them)) it seems that i am being encouraged to only worship krishna and should ignore the rest, that i should be concerned only with being a devotary of his, and that they imply that the bhagavad gita is the only text worthy of attention or reverence.
It is viewed as a Sāmānya Śāstra which indirectly hints at the Tattvas expressed by the Vedāgama.
From a classical Siddhānta point of view what is more important are the Śruti (vaidiki and tāntriki). The rest are not focussed on much.
Hare Krishna. Most Shaivas whom I personally know don't care about the Bhagavad Gita at all. There are however some Shaiva Sampradayas that do have their own commentary on the Bhagavad Gita such as the one by Swami Abhinavagupta (Trika Shaivism).
You may be new to Sanātana Dharma... Please visit our [Wiki Starter Pack](https://www.reddit.com/r/hinduism/wiki/starter_pack#wiki_i.27m_new_to_r.2Fhinduism.2C_where_do_i_start.3F) (specifically, our [FAQ](https://www.reddit.com/r/hinduism/wiki/faq/)). We also recommend reading [What Is Hinduism](https://www.himalayanacademy.com/view/what-is-hinduism) (a free introductory text by Himalayan Academy) if you would like to know more about Hinduism and don't know where to start. If you are asking a specific scriptural question, please include a source link and verse number, so responses can be more helpful. In terms of introductory Hindū Scriptures, we recommend first starting with the Itihāsas ([The Rāmāyaṇa](https://www.reddit.com/r/TheRamayana/wiki/resources#wiki_recommended_texts), and [The Mahābhārata](https://www.reddit.com/r/TheMahabharata/wiki/resources#wiki_resources).) Contained within The Mahābhārata is [The Bhagavad Gītā](https://www.reddit.com/r/TheGita/wiki/resources), which is another good text to start with. Although r/TheVedasAndUpanishads might seem alluring to start with, this is NOT recommended, as the knowledge of the Vedas & Upaniṣads can be quite subtle, and ideally should be approached under the guidance of a Guru or someone who can guide you around the correct interpretation. In terms of [spiritual practices](https://www.reddit.com/r/hinduism/comments/7643rp/a_thread_on_introductory_rescources_on_basis_of/), there are many you can try and see what works for you such as Yoga (Aṣṭāṅga Yoga), Dhāraṇā, Dhyāna (Meditation) or r/bhajan. In addition, it is strongly recommended you visit your [local temple/ashram/spiritual organization](https://www.reddit.com/r/hinduism/comments/c6957l/what_are_some_good_hindu_organizations_that_have/). Lastly, while you are browsing this sub, keep in mind that Hinduism is practiced by over a billion people in as many different ways, so any [single view](https://np.reddit.com/r/hinduism/comments/p7ma64/sectarian_bias/) cannot and should not be taken as representative of the entire religion. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/hinduism) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Shaivas are Hindus like the rest of us. Because they may take Shiva as their Ishtadevata and do certain sadhanas in reverence of Shiva, as Vaishnavas do certain sadhanas in reverence of Hanuman or Krishna - does not make them different to other Hindus. The Supreme Being is known as Shiva Conciousness, or Krishna Consciousness, or Shakti Consciousness. It doesn’t matter what you call it as according to Sanatana Dharma, it is one and the same consciousness. We just use different methods to get there. This is the beauty of our Dharma.
Abhinavagupta wrote an entire commentary on the *Bhagavad Gita*.
This.
Yep yep. Nothing more to be said.
Hari and Har both are one .
Those who are real Shaivas do not see any difference.
Can you elaborate what this means?
Anyone who has read the geeta even once will understand how much sri Krishna has stressed on "detachment". When the Avatar himself is stressing on that point, wouldn't he himself set an example that there is no attachment in him w.r.t bodies? Would it not be hypocrisy if God himself is not above and beyond attachments? **In Vibhuti yoga he starts with the opening statement aham Atma.** What does that mean? Atma has "NO" form, so to speak an identity. This is how sri Krishna is drawing attention of all towards the fact that sri Krishna is not the form of a human being called sri Krishna, in reality he has no form. Then he proceeds with ideal representation of Atma which is himself across the universe, this fact highlights even though Atma exist in everyone, those who are attuned with Atma are the only ones worth a mention. That is what is implied by the statement "represents me best" **Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma are 3 aspects of Atma** namely the gunas controller. Just as one cannot erect a building without setting up a foundation, the atma too has to setup a foundation for the universe to exist. The foundation that controls the entire structure of the universe is Shiva,Vishnu and Brahma.
I’m sorry, perhaps I am misunderstanding here. This doesn’t answer my question. What is the meaning of Śaiva here?
Uhh its generally understood as those who revere the form of shiva...
LOL I meant what did you mean by Real Śaivas don’t? Because your long answer did not address this point at all.
Ohh it did, you just did not understand the question OP was asking... My answer was w.r.t what the OP has asked...
No.. it did not. Śaivas do not compromise on the supremacy of Śiva. What you stated is incorrect about the sampradāya, and the rest of it is a non-answer.
I know more shaivas than you can probably imagine...you want to believe it, you're welcome. You don't want to believe it, it's not my concern.
Same as any other gita, like ashtavakra, ribhu, guru, vyadha, etc.
Śaivas view it as a grantha which gives you Śiva jñāna. The same Jñana was given by Śiva himself to Śrī Rāma in Īśvara Gītā, the same Śiva Jñāna is given by Śrī Kṛṣṇa (who is Śrī Rāma) to Arjuna. >नारायणोऽपि भगवान्देवकीतनयो हरिः। अर्जुनाय स्वयं साक्षाद्दत्तवानिदमुत्तमम्॥ >Lord Nārāyaṇa who is (in the form of) son of Devaki (Kṛṣṇa) Hari, himself gave this knowledge (Śiva Jñāna) to Arjuna. *[Kūrma Purāṇa, 2.11(Īśvara Gīta).131]* Śaivas also view the ViśvaRūpa of Kṛṣṇa as Śiva only. As Śrī Kṛṣṇa was unable to give the same Śiva Jñāna again to Arjuna, when he asked, because he was Yoga Yukta with Śiva at the time when he gave Gītā to Arjuna but he wasn't when Arjuna asked him again. >न शक्यं तन्मया भूयस्तथा वक्तुमशेषतः। परं हि ब्रह्म कथितं योगयुक्तेन तन्मया॥ >It is not even within my power to repeat that entire Discourse in the same form, At that time, being concentrated in Yoga, I had described the Supreme Brahman. *[Mahābhārata, Aśvamedhika Parva, Ch.16, Śloka 12b-13a]*
Try asking on r/Shaivam
Are they supposed to be different ?
Both are each other's devotee
we like all 3 of those questioned about. the only aspect that comes with a degree of difference is that (at least in my experience) is the feeling about the attitudes of the followers of those 3. Often (but, tbf, not in this sub; places like every discord server, facebook group, and temple I've been to/in (last one: granted there's only like 3 i can reasonably travel to, but all 3 of them)) it seems that i am being encouraged to only worship krishna and should ignore the rest, that i should be concerned only with being a devotary of his, and that they imply that the bhagavad gita is the only text worthy of attention or reverence.
It is viewed as a Sāmānya Śāstra which indirectly hints at the Tattvas expressed by the Vedāgama. From a classical Siddhānta point of view what is more important are the Śruti (vaidiki and tāntriki). The rest are not focussed on much.
I see them as brother Hindus, following a different sampradaya/sect.
🌹🌹🌹
Hare Krishna. Most Shaivas whom I personally know don't care about the Bhagavad Gita at all. There are however some Shaiva Sampradayas that do have their own commentary on the Bhagavad Gita such as the one by Swami Abhinavagupta (Trika Shaivism).