Parameshwara (god)
# Parameshwara (god)

Parameshvara (IAST: Parameśvara, Sanskrit: परमेश्वर), also rendered Parashiva and Sadashiva, is an epithet of the Hindu destroyer deity, Shiva. The term usually indicates the position of Shiva as the Supreme being and Supreme Reality in the tradition of Shaivism. Parameshvara is the ultimate and highest reality that eternally pervades all matter for Shaivas, the devotees of Shiva. He is regarded by devotees to be totality itself, controlling the triple forces of creation, preservation, and destruction.

## Etymology

The word is a compound of the Sanskrit words परम meaning 'Supreme' and ईश्वर meaning 'Lord'. Thus Parameshvara literally means 'highest supreme ruler'. Similarly, the word Paramashiva (Parama + Shiva) means 'Supreme shiva'. These two words are simultaneously used in Saivite texts as synonyms for Parabrahman, the Indian equivalent of Supreme being. Sometimes, other traditions of Hinduism such as Vedanta and Vaishnavism also use the term Parameshwara as a synonym of Parabrahman within their philosophical perspectives.

## Shaiva Siddhanta

Shaiva Siddhanta accepts the existence of Tripathartham (three entities), pati (the supreme being Paramashiva), pashu (all atmans) and pasam (three bondages of Anava, Karma, Maya). As the supreme being, Parameshvara only has the distinct eight characters or predicates which are applied to distinguish him from the other two entities of Shaiva Siddhanta—Pashu and Pasam. They are sarvajnatva (who knows everything), nityatrptatva (with infinite happiness), anādibōdha (without bondages), Svatantratva (independent), aluptashakti (unlimited mercy), anantashakti (unrestricted grace), nirāmayatma (wholesome) and Visuddhadēha (with pure body).

Shaiva Siddhanta states that Parameshvara is in two states—tatasta lakshanam, the form of lord that is moving through 36 tattvas and Svarupa Lakshanam, the pure form of supreme being beyond everything. These two forms can be compared with the Saguna and Nirguna definitions of Para brahman in the Vedantic tradition. When he is defined with tatasta lakshanam, Paramashiva exists in nine divine forms, Brahma, Vishnu, Rudra, Maheshwara, Sadasiva, Shiva, Shakti, Nadam, and Bindhu in which he is beyond words in his last four formless manifestations known as Arupa. The first five are his manifestations with forms and known as rupa. Sadasiva is his mixed form of rupa and arupa which is often identified with lingam. Shiva and Shakti exist as inseparable Nada-bindu in the state of Svarupa Lakshanam in which they are often identified as the non-dual supreme being Paramashiva and Parashakti. Since they are inseparable and undifferentiated, Shaiva Siddhanta sees them as single oneness, Parameshvara.

## Kashmir Shaivism

Kashmiri Shaivism describes how 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. Paramashiva appears as the world through his creative power, Shakti. The ontological nature of Paramashiva is beyond human knowledge and articulation, yet it can be experienced directly through mystical intuition.

