From Cult To Culture

This reading puts light on the differences between buddhism and shaivism as in Buddhism one has to renounce the household in order to seek the salvation, whereas in shaivism - shiva becomes an householder from an ascetic.

Salvation, can be attained from the household as well.

Also about the women leader - as in absence or shiva Parvati tooks her sickle to save gods from demons. Unlike buddhism and jainism where women nuns are there but it's always the male who's leader of monastery.

Shaivism includes goddess but it doesn't grant significant status to women who are confined in household.

women become holy when they renounce household and become nun.

men are holy both as householders and hermits.