In Universal ?aivism Peter Bisschop provides a critical edition and annotated translation of the sixth chapter of the ?ivadharma??stra `Treatise on the Religion of ?iva?, the so-called ??ntyadhy?ya 'Chapter on Appeasement?. The Sanskrit text is preceded by an extensive introduction on its composition, transmission and edition.
The ?ivadharma??stra has arguably played a crucial role in the formation, development and institutionalisation of ?aivism. Through a detailed study of its extensive ??nti mantra, Peter Bisschop shows how the text advocates a system in which all worldly and cosmic power is ultimately dependent upon ?iva. The mantra itself is a mine of information on the evolving pantheon of early Brahmanical Hinduism.
Thanks to generous support of the J. Gonda Fund Foundation, the e-book version of this volume is available in Open Access.