A post from a friend from
here.
I am going to start first with the deity Shiva(n) vs. the principle of Paramashiva. The following posts will explore the 36 principles and the 4 spheres that make up the cosmos.
We can see this distinction spelt out in almost all Shaiva traditions. The Shivam is referred to as Param Shiva or Parameshvara in other Shaivite traditions such as Kashmir Shaivism.
Shiva(n) is a supreme deity who is considered as the earliest to come out of the primordial. It is pronounced as Shivan ending with the 'n' in Tamil works to denote clearly there is individuality associated with the term. The deity Shiva is a tangible (in some ways) with characteristics. Whereas the Shivam is the principle of formless reality that can't be described or explained by words. In my opinion the Shivam can be compared to the Holy Father in Christianity or generally as God. The Tirumular defines it as 'Anbe Shivam' in Tamil. It simply means Love is Shivam or God.
Here is a description of the principle from Kashmir Shaivism.
Quote:
Kashmiri Shaivism describes all of reality, with all of its diversity and fluctuation, is the play of the single principle, Paramashiva. The two aspects of this single reality are inseparably united: Shiva and Shakti.[9] Paramashiva appears as the world through his creative power, Shakti.[10] The ontological nature of Paramashiva is beyond human knowledge and articulation, yet it can be experienced directly through mystical intuition.[11]
Paramashiva is the ultimate reality who either (according to Kashmir Shaivism) construct himself or (according to Shaiva siddhanta) beyond 36 tattvas, the whole elements of reality. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parameshwara_(God)
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The Shivam or Param Shiva is beyond the 36 tattvas. Similar concept is found in Vaishnava and Shakta traditions also. There is Maha Vishnu (or Narayana) vs the supreme deity Vishnu in Vaishnavism. There is Para Shakti (Parashakti) vs the supreme deity Shakti in Shaktism or Sri Vidya traditions that worship the Goddess as the primary deity.
The following picture depicts the 36 tattvas from KS. It is from the same Wikipedia page referenced above. Just included for reference to the whole picture.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tattva...:Tattvas36.gif
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