CULT OF SIVA AND SAKTI OUTSIDE
INDIA
Dr. (Mrs.) RADHA KRISHNAMURTHY
India is a vast country surrounded
by mountains and seas. Because of these barriers India, which has always
cherished the ideal of Vasudhaiva kutumbakam ; did not stand aloof from
mountains in the north and perilous seas on the other three sides and built
up a 'Greater India' and spread their culture in these regions. Indian
culture thus spread to far-off countries like Indonesia, Indo-China, Malayasia,
Cambodia, Siberia etc., and also to neighbouring countries like Nepal,
Afghanistan, Central Asia, Ceylon, etc. It may be said that India is the
only country that has established lasting cultural contacts with countries
outside her boundary and has, in the course of long succession of centuries,
left indelible imprints of her religion, art and architecture beyond her
frontiers.
Saivism is one of the main
branches of Hinduism, one of the most ancient religions of the world. The
cult of Siva and along with the cult of Sakti which have been very popular
in India throughout the ages, have shed their influence in countries outside
India. In a few countries Siva-Sakti cult attained the status of state
religion under royal patronage. Several legendary accounts, hundreds of
monuments and inscriptions, innumerable sculptures of Saiva pantheon,
Siva figures on coins circulated by monarchs of different periods, their
royal seals with Saiva emblems, painted panels depicting Saiva episodes,
temples dedicated to Saiva deities, etc., are some of the evidences to
prove that Saivism was very popular in these regions beyond India. Just
as Siva, was worshipped with great reverence so also Sakti, the Divine
Power and Energy, has also been a favourite in these regions and there
are evidences to prove that Sakti cult also was prevalent in a few regions
and is still popular in countries like Thailand, Malayasia, Ceylon etc.
Deities like Ganesa and Kartikeya, associated with Saiva cult are also
held in high esteem.
These above mentioned evidences
not only prove the Siva-Sakti worship in distant lands but also throw light
on several other aspects also, such as the influence of different schools
of Indian art and architecture in these countries, skill of artists in
accomplishing Indian as well as local art traditions of these regions,
popularity of Hindu mythological episodes, popularity of composite cult
of different deities like Siva, Visnu and Surya, characteristic of Indian
colonialism in presenting a blending of different sects like Buddhism and
Saivism, etc. Rites and rituals connected with the worship of Siva and
Sakti are still practised in some places outside India. Impact of Saivism
can be observed on literature, music, dance, drama, etc., in these nations.
In the present paper the social,
religious and cultural impact of Siva and Sakti will also be discussed
very briefly dovetailed to a more detailed account of various evidences
mentioned above to bring to light the great value of the indelible impression
that India has made upon 'Greater India' especially in the field of religion
through the popular cult of Siva-Sakti.
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