Mahadeva — The Great God
Lord Shiva (Mahadeva, Maheshvara, Shambhu, Shankar, Rudra) is the Supreme Being in Shaivism — the third largest denomination of Hinduism — and one of the principal deities of the Trimurti (the cosmic Trinity of Brahma the Creator, Vishnu the Preserver, and Shiva the Destroyer-Transformer).
He is simultaneously the destroyer and the regenerator — for in Hinduism, destruction is not negative, but a necessary precursor to new creation. Shiva destroys the universe at the end of each cosmic cycle so it may be reborn.
Forms of Shiva
Nataraja — Lord of the Dance
The most iconic form of Shiva. His cosmic dance (Ananda Tandava — Dance of Bliss) occurs within a circle of fire (Prabhamandala) representing the cycle of creation and destruction. His four arms represent:
- Upper right hand holds the Damaru — the drum of creation
- Upper left hand holds fire — the force of destruction
- Right hand in Abhaya Mudra — protecting devotees
- Left hand pointing to his raised left foot — indicating liberation
He dances on the dwarf Apasmara (ignorance), subduing ego and illusion.
Ardhanarishvara — The Half-Male, Half-Female
The composite form of Shiva (right half) and Parvati (left half) — representing the inseparability of Purusha (consciousness) and Prakriti (nature), the masculine and feminine principles of the universe.
Sadashiva — The Eternal Shiva
The five-headed form representing the five aspects: Sadyojata (west/earth), Vamadeva (north/water), Aghora (south/fire), Tatpurusha (east/air), and Ishana (up/ether/sky).
Rudra — The Fierce Form
The Vedic precursor to Shiva — the storm god of the Rigveda, wrathful yet compassionate, the lord of healing and wild nature. The Rudrashtadhyayi (eight chapters from the Yajurveda) is addressed to Rudra.
Sacred Iconography
| Symbol | Meaning | |--------|---------| | Third Eye | Omniscience; opened, it destroys everything | | Trishul (Trident) | The three aspects: creation, preservation, destruction | | Damaru | The heartbeat of the universe; the sound Nada Brahman | | Crescent Moon | Shiva is the master of time; the moon marks the passage of time | | Snake Vasuki | Mastery over death and fear | | Ganga | The sacred river flowing from his matted locks | | Blue Throat (Neelakantha) | Having consumed the cosmic poison (Halahala) to save creation | | Bhasma (sacred ash) | Impermanence of existence; ultimate reality of dissolution | | Rudraksha | Sacred beads born from Shiva's tears of compassion | | Tiger skin | Conquered animalistic instincts | | Matted hair (Jata) | The life of an ascetic; the cosmic serpent Vasuki resides within |
The Lingam
The Shivalinga — the cylindrical stone emblem of Shiva — is the most widely worshipped form. It represents:
- Nishkala (formless) Shiva — the infinite column of light that has no beginning or end
- The union of Shiva (linga) and Shakti (yoni — the base)
- The axis mundi — the cosmic pillar connecting earth and heaven
The 12 Jyotirlingas (temples where Shiva manifested as a pillar of light) are the holiest Shiva shrines.
Shiva in the Scriptures
- Rigveda — mentioned as Rudra, the storm deity
- Shiva Purana — the primary Purana devoted to Shiva's stories and theology
- Linga Purana — deals with the origin of the linga and Shaiva philosophy
- Skanda Purana — the largest Purana, devoted largely to Shiva and Parvati
- Mahabharat — the Anushasan Parva contains the Shiva Sahasranama (1,008 names)
Family
- Consort: Parvati (also worshipped as Uma, Durga, Kali, Sati)
- Sons: Ganesha (elephant-headed, remover of obstacles) and Kartikeya (commander of the divine army)
- Vehicle: Nandi the bull — Shiva's foremost devotee and gatekeeper