Who are the Śivayogins? An investigation in Sanskrit sources

This paper examines the figure of the Śivayogin in a range of early and medieval Sanskrit sources (6th–12th century CE), tracing the identity and historical development of this religious actor. By analysing prescriptions concerning their yogic practice and their expected qualifications as recipients of devotional support, the study evaluates how the category of Śivayogin intersects with — and diverges from — the increasingly formalised Tantric systems of initiation and ascetic discipline that characterised medieval Śaivism. In doing so, it highlights the role of yoga practice in defining religious figures who, according to our sources, served as crucial intermediaries in the diffusion of organised Śaivism among lay communities.