Lord Shiva

Lord Shiva
God of Destruction, Transformation, and Regeneration
Affiliation	Trimurti, Mahadeva, Parameshwara
Abode	Mount Kailash
Weapon	Trishula (Trident)
Symbols	Lingam, Crescent Moon, River Ganga
Mount	Nandi, the bull
Consort	Parvati

Lord Shiva is one of the principal deities of Hinduism. He is known as the destroyer and transformer within the Trimurti, the Hindu trinity that includes Brahma and Vishnu. Shiva is also regarded as the patron god of yoga, meditation, and arts.

Characteristics

Shiva is depicted as an omniscient yogi who lives an ascetic life on Mount Kailash, as well as a householder with wife Parvati and his two children, Ganesha and Kartikeya. In many images, he is shown with three eyes, with the third eye on his forehead being the eye of wisdom. It is believed that his third eye opens to burn desire to ashes, which is why he is also associated with the forces of destruction and regeneration.

Cult and Worship

The worship of Shiva is a pan-Hindu tradition, practiced widely across all of India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. Some of the common forms of worship include the Shiva Lingam, which symbolizes the energies necessary for life on both the microcosmic and the macrocosmic levels. Shiva is also worshiped in the form of Nataraja, the lord of dance, who symbolizes the cosmic dance of creation and destruction.

Festivals and Temples

Important festivals associated with Shiva include Maha Shivaratri, which is celebrated as a night dedicated to Shiva, and during which devotees fast and offer prayers. Shiva temples are widespread across the Indian subcontinent. The Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi, Brihadeeswarar Temple in Tamil Nadu, and the Somnath Temple in Gujarat are among the most famous.

Iconography and Symbols

Shiva's attributes include the Trishula, a trident; the Damru, a small drum; and a crescent moon on his head. He is often shown seated on or wearing a tiger skin, with the sacred river Ganga flowing from his matted hair. The serpent around his neck signifies Shiva’s power over the most dangerous creatures in the world.

Philosophy and Influence

Shiva has a significant influence on Hindu thought and practice. The Shaivism sect, which regards Shiva as the Supreme Being, is one of the major traditions within Hinduism. Philosophically, Shiva represents the essential goodness in all beings. His role as a destroyer is often misunderstood; it is rather a stepping stone for regeneration and change, making way for the new by destroying the old and obsolete.

See Also

• Lingam
• Yogi
• Asceticism
• Hindu mythology