The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions (1379 page)

The second, subtle sheath surrounding the
tman
. It supports the continuity from one life to another in rebirth, bearing the consequences of
karma
.

 
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(Skt.,
li
ga
, emblem of
iva
). An ancient Indian
aivite
sect believing in the One Undivided, or Non-dualistic, Being,
Brahm
, or
iva-tattva, possessing latent creative energy in its aspect as pure ‘existence’ (
sthala
). Its adherents are also known as Vira
aivas. Once the creative principle is activated, this Being becomes two:
iva made manifest who is worshipped (
li
ga-sthala
), and each individual worshipping soul (
a
ga-sthala
).
Before the 12th cent. the Li
g
yats, termed
r
dhya (devoted), maintained many traditional
brahmanic
practices, but a reform movement was initiated by
Basava
(
c.
1106–67/8), a S. Indian
brahman
who carried out systematic attacks on Jains, Buddhists, and
Vai
avas