Shivnetra
Encyclopedia
The Shivnetras are an almost extinct community which originated from Varanasi
in Northern India
.
Similar to the Kshatriyas but somewhat more controversial in social context
,
the Shivnetras are almost extinct today due to the widespread relocation and displacement of the community.
The word Shivnetra translates into Lord Shiva's third eye, and the first Shivnetra is believed to be born out of Shiva
's third eye as a Syambhu (or self manifested) which largely points out to be the Hindu deity Kartikeyya or Kal Bhairav as the first Shivnetra. Temples which have been closely linked with this community had either Kartikeyya or Kal Bhairav as a sub-deity with Lord Shiva as the main deity. The Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain Madhya Pradesh
in Northern India is said to have been a Shivnetra stronghold apart from Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi, the netras were believed to have been heavily guarded by Aghoris of both Ujjain and Varanasi almost akin to a secret society
, until the great migration to South India
commenced.
"They were tall and had shoulders like a lion but they seldom ate, engaged in long
silence and meditation they seldom spoke, They lived on the Ganga and took her as their
mother, respected even by the greatest of rulers, feared by the most violent of fighters they
were also their greatest friend.They never saw mangal (Planet Mars
), but knew it was Red, they
are the sons of rudra, and lived to serve him."
Rameshwaram (a temple dedicated to Ujjain Kali is found here,besides that of Shiva) ended in Trichirapalli and Tanjore, the shivnetras were sipped into royal appointments by the Chola Empire
and formed an integral part of King Raja Raja Chola's court as ministers of defence,tresury and spirituality.
gaining prominence backed by foreign forces to wipe out remaining Shivnetras who set and lived by strict vedic rules; the netras did not believe that there needs to be a messenger between the seeker and the truth or between Shiva and a devotee, hence in most North Indian temples which are seen as Shiva power houses linked to the netras; devotees can perform their own prayers and abisheks on a shivlinga (pouring of sacred water and milk) as opposed to south
Indian Brahmin who bars entry to the inner shrine of its temples and conducts the prayers on behalf of the devotees.
A Shivnetra is never allowed to accept any form of offering (money, valuable articles) known as dakshina from anyone for conducting puja, instead recommends multiple non-religious work in its community to seek sustenance in the form of food or money.
Shivnetras contribution to astronomy, astrology and mathematics were impeccable, and championed their own ephemeries and equinoxes based on the Vaakya calculation method, which
is said to be guided by the Indian sage Agatsya.
This was seen as a threat in the long run, as the Shivnetras were gaining prominence as lead strategist in monarchs.
In later day India, the netras were forced to undergo religious conversion
as a sign of submission by foreign forces which invaded India in years to come.
, which significantly weakened the occupying force.
into sub-caste of their own. Which was based out of professions set by royal appointments.
Tresurers and Defence netras later known as Siva or Saiva-Muthuraja not to be confused
with ordinary muthurajas found throughout Tamil Nadu
and Antra Pradesh.
Both wars had seen hundreds of shivnetras fallen, and today those who remain are only a handful to be found in certain parts of South East Asia
,British-Guyana,and in India centered around
Trichirapalli,Tanjore and in even smaller numbers in Ujjain and Varanasi in Northern India.
Shivnetras today are only identified with their surname whilst the Saiva-Muthuraja have been completely dissolved into other Muthuraja castes is completely extinct.Today's Muthurajas
are an integral part of Trichirapalli's community but have litte or no connection with
The Shivnetras.
Shivnetras re-established their roots in Varanasi over the past century but still regard Tamil as their mother tongue.
The Panchaloga Bangle (a semi open bagle made out of Gold,Silver,Copper,Lead and Iron) found on a Shivnetra male's left hand is forever associated with them, and a Shivnetra is usually associated by it throughout INDIA.
Varanasi
-Etymology:The name Varanasi has its origin possibly from the names of the two rivers Varuna and Assi, for the old city lies in the north shores of the Ganga bounded by its two tributaries, the Varuna and the Asi, with the Ganges being to its south...
in Northern India
North India
North India, known natively as Uttar Bhārat or Shumālī Hindustān , is a loosely defined region in the northern part of India. The exact meaning of the term varies by usage...
.
Similar to the Kshatriyas but somewhat more controversial in social context
Social environment
The social environment of an individual, also called social context or milieu, is the culture that s/he was educated or lives in, and the people and institutions with whom the person interacts....
,
the Shivnetras are almost extinct today due to the widespread relocation and displacement of the community.
The word Shivnetra translates into Lord Shiva's third eye, and the first Shivnetra is believed to be born out of Shiva
Shiva
Shiva is a major Hindu deity, and is the destroyer god or transformer among the Trimurti, the Hindu Trinity of the primary aspects of the divine. God Shiva is a yogi who has notice of everything that happens in the world and is the main aspect of life. Yet one with great power lives a life of a...
's third eye as a Syambhu (or self manifested) which largely points out to be the Hindu deity Kartikeyya or Kal Bhairav as the first Shivnetra. Temples which have been closely linked with this community had either Kartikeyya or Kal Bhairav as a sub-deity with Lord Shiva as the main deity. The Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh , often called the Heart of India, is a state in central India. Its capital is Bhopal and Indore is the largest city....
in Northern India is said to have been a Shivnetra stronghold apart from Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi, the netras were believed to have been heavily guarded by Aghoris of both Ujjain and Varanasi almost akin to a secret society
Secret society
A secret society is a club or organization whose activities and inner functioning are concealed from non-members. The society may or may not attempt to conceal its existence. The term usually excludes covert groups, such as intelligence agencies or guerrilla insurgencies, which hide their...
, until the great migration to South India
South India
South India is the area encompassing India's states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu as well as the union territories of Lakshadweep and Pondicherry, occupying 19.31% of India's area...
commenced.
Shivnetra Mythology
An inscription in Varanasi gives some account :"They were tall and had shoulders like a lion but they seldom ate, engaged in long
silence and meditation they seldom spoke, They lived on the Ganga and took her as their
mother, respected even by the greatest of rulers, feared by the most violent of fighters they
were also their greatest friend.They never saw mangal (Planet Mars
Mars
Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun in the Solar System. The planet is named after the Roman god of war, Mars. It is often described as the "Red Planet", as the iron oxide prevalent on its surface gives it a reddish appearance...
), but knew it was Red, they
are the sons of rudra, and lived to serve him."
Southern Sojourn
The Shivnetra migration which started from Varanasi through Ujjain is said to have passedRameshwaram (a temple dedicated to Ujjain Kali is found here,besides that of Shiva) ended in Trichirapalli and Tanjore, the shivnetras were sipped into royal appointments by the Chola Empire
Chola Dynasty
The Chola dynasty was a Tamil dynasty which was one of the longest-ruling in some parts of southern India. The earliest datable references to this Tamil dynasty are in inscriptions from the 3rd century BC left by Asoka, of Maurya Empire; the dynasty continued to govern over varying territory until...
and formed an integral part of King Raja Raja Chola's court as ministers of defence,tresury and spirituality.
Shifting of society
The Brahmins of South India soon championed a new era in southern Indian religionReligion in India
Indian religions is a classification for religions that originated in the Indian subcontinent; namely Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism and Sikhism. These religions are also classified as Eastern religions...
gaining prominence backed by foreign forces to wipe out remaining Shivnetras who set and lived by strict vedic rules; the netras did not believe that there needs to be a messenger between the seeker and the truth or between Shiva and a devotee, hence in most North Indian temples which are seen as Shiva power houses linked to the netras; devotees can perform their own prayers and abisheks on a shivlinga (pouring of sacred water and milk) as opposed to south
Indian Brahmin who bars entry to the inner shrine of its temples and conducts the prayers on behalf of the devotees.
A Shivnetra is never allowed to accept any form of offering (money, valuable articles) known as dakshina from anyone for conducting puja, instead recommends multiple non-religious work in its community to seek sustenance in the form of food or money.
Shivnetras contribution to astronomy, astrology and mathematics were impeccable, and championed their own ephemeries and equinoxes based on the Vaakya calculation method, which
is said to be guided by the Indian sage Agatsya.
This was seen as a threat in the long run, as the Shivnetras were gaining prominence as lead strategist in monarchs.
In later day India, the netras were forced to undergo religious conversion
Religious conversion
Religious conversion is the adoption of a new religion that differs from the convert's previous religion. Changing from one denomination to another within the same religion is usually described as reaffiliation rather than conversion.People convert to a different religion for various reasons,...
as a sign of submission by foreign forces which invaded India in years to come.
Shivnetra Mutiny
As a retaliation, large numbers of Shivnetras who were fully grouped out of the last surviving spiritual elites orchestrated two independent attacks on occupying forces via Malaya through the braining of an all female Jhansi Rani Regimen which made up of hundreds of shivnetra women with disguised surnames and an all male battalion based in Northern Malaya via Burma led by Bangali Nationalist Netaji Subash Chandra BoseSubhash Chandra Bose
Subhas Chandra Bose known by name Netaji was an Indian revolutionary who led an Indian national political and military force against Britain and the Western powers during World War II. Bose was one of the most prominent leaders in the Indian independence movement and is a legendary figure in...
, which significantly weakened the occupying force.
Shivnetra Evolution
As the netras became a part of Tamil society and culture and the shivnetras disbandedinto sub-caste of their own. Which was based out of professions set by royal appointments.
Tresurers and Defence netras later known as Siva or Saiva-Muthuraja not to be confused
with ordinary muthurajas found throughout Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu is one of the 28 states of India. Its capital and largest city is Chennai. Tamil Nadu lies in the southernmost part of the Indian Peninsula and is bordered by the union territory of Pondicherry, and the states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh...
and Antra Pradesh.
Both wars had seen hundreds of shivnetras fallen, and today those who remain are only a handful to be found in certain parts of South East Asia
Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia, South-East Asia, South East Asia or Southeastern Asia is a subregion of Asia, consisting of the countries that are geographically south of China, east of India, west of New Guinea and north of Australia. The region lies on the intersection of geological plates, with heavy seismic...
,British-Guyana,and in India centered around
Trichirapalli,Tanjore and in even smaller numbers in Ujjain and Varanasi in Northern India.
Shivnetras today are only identified with their surname whilst the Saiva-Muthuraja have been completely dissolved into other Muthuraja castes is completely extinct.Today's Muthurajas
are an integral part of Trichirapalli's community but have litte or no connection with
The Shivnetras.
Shivnetras re-established their roots in Varanasi over the past century but still regard Tamil as their mother tongue.
The Panchaloga Bangle (a semi open bagle made out of Gold,Silver,Copper,Lead and Iron) found on a Shivnetra male's left hand is forever associated with them, and a Shivnetra is usually associated by it throughout INDIA.