Lord Shiva

An Overview

Shiva is one of the principal deities of Hinduism, and one of the most complex and powerful manifestations of the Supreme Being. Shiva is the supreme deity of the Shaivite branch of Hinduism and is part of the Hindu trinity known as the Trimurti where he represents the destructive or transformative force of God, alongside Brahma and Vishnu who symbolize the creative and preservative forces respectively. Shiva is worshipped in many different forms, but most significantly as the Shiva Linga and as Nataraja, the Lord of Dance. He is also frequently represented in images as being immersed in deep meditation in Mount Kailash, his traditional abode.

Along with the Vaishnava and Shakta traditions where the focus of worship is Vishnu and Sakti respectively, Shaivism has been one of the most influential denominations in Hinduism. To Shaivites, Shiva is known interchangeably as Maheswara, Mahadeva or Parameswara, which all mean Supreme Lord.

The word Shiva or Shivam in Sanskrit is an adjective meaning auspicious or gracious. In Tamil Siva literally means the ‘the supreme one,’ and Adi Shankara interpreted Shiva to mean ‘the pure one’ or ‘the One who purifies everyone by the very utterance of His name.’ As ‘the pure one,’ Shiva is believed to be eternally pure and unaffected by the Gunas (qualities or tendencies).

Shiva is the Lord of mercy and compassion, protecting devotees from the evil forces of lust, greed, and anger. He grants boons and bestows grace to his devotees. But Shiva is also the wrathful avenger, destroying evil-doers and ignorant beings.