Abstract:
The purposes of this thesis are 1. to study history of Shaiva philosophy, and 2. to
analyze concept of Moksha in Shaiva philosophy. This thesis is the qualitative research conducted
by collecting the information from the main scriptures of Shaiva philosophy such as Shiva
Agamas, Siva Purana, Shiva Sutra Siva Agamas as well as the related books, journal, articles and
theses. The research result of the first purpose showed that Shaiva philosophy originated in India
before Mohenjo Daro about 3,000 years ago. The important evidences were Deity images and
Shiva lingams which presumably belongedtoShaiva philosophy. Lord Shiva, Shiva lingam, and
gods and goddesses related to Lord Shiva were respected and worshiped. Vasugupta, Somananda,
Utpaladeva and Abhinavagupta were prominent philosophers who wrote many scriptures for
Shaiva philosophy. Shiva Agamas, Shiva Purana and Shiva Sutrawere considered the holy
scriptures of Shaiva philosophy.The result of the second purpose were found that moksha was the
summum bonum of life. It was a state of liberation from three impurities of mind, i.e. impurity of
karma, impurity of ignorance, and impurity of concealment of reality.After attaining liberation,
the mukta (the liberated one) will not reborn in the cycle of birth and death any longer. In order to
attain Moksha, one must search for the ways out of three impurities of mind. There are three ways
leading to Moksha. These ways are as follows; 1. Bhakti Yoga is the submission of oneself to the
lord Shiva with constant love and devotion, 2. Karma Yoga is the act out of good attention, and
3. Jnana Yoga is the way of practice with true knowledge without ignorance for eradicating the
particle of actions absolutely. These ways are for all walks of life, no restriction of caste, genderor
age, anyone who enthusiastically and correctly practices on these paths would certainly attain
Moksha.