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Lakulisha (Sanskrit: Lakuliśa) (c. 200 CE) was a prominent teacher of the Pashupata, one of the early sects of Shaivism. According to the Hindu mythology, Lakulisha, (literal meaning: the lord with a club) is believed as the founder of the Pashupata sect. Some believe that the Pashupata doctrine was already in existence before him, and Lakulisha was its first formal guru (teacher). It is believed that he was born in a brahman family and lived in Kayavarohana, currently (2006) known as Karvan and located in the peninsula of Kathiawar in Gujarat state in India[1]. According to some tradition, he is considered as the 28th and the last avatar of Shiva. According to the tradition, he had four disciples: Kaurusha, Gargya, Maitreya and Kushika.
[edit] The Pashupata Sutra
The principal text of the Pashupata sect, the Pāśupata Sūtra is attributed to him[1]. The manuscripts of this text and a commentary of it, the Pañcārtha Bhāṣya by Kaundinya (c.500 CE) were discovered in 1930. The Pāśupata Sūtra formalizes various canons of the Pashupata sect, and contains the basic theology of the sect. Karvan is located in vadodara district of Gujarat i,e south central Gujarat not in Kathiawad as mentioned in the article.
[edit] The images of Lakulisha
His images have been found in Gujarat, a state on the western coast of India and also in some parts of the eastern India. Some of his images depict him as a naked yogi and he carries prayer beads, a club, a cup of human skull. He is shown as accompanied by animals.He is the last avatar of Shiva and the creator of Yoga.
[edit] References
- Choubey, M.C. (1997) Lakuliśa in Indian Art and Culture, Sharada Publishing House, New Delhi, ISBN 8185616442
- Dictionary of Hindu Lore and Legend (ISBN 0-500-51088-1) by Anna Dallapiccola
