Shiva, also known as Maheshawara or Mahadev, is one the principal Hindu deities that forms the divine trinity. Brahma – the creator; Vishnu – the preserver; and Shiva – the transformer. Shiva is also worshiped as time and cosmic power with no beginning and no end. He is Parvati/Durga’s husband and Ganesha and Kartikeya (Subramanya)’s father.

• Shiva is depicted by wearing a tiger or leopard skin around his waist.
  • Tiger is the vehicle of Shakti/Durga. This represents his control of energy and conquering of uncontrolled power and lust.
• Snake around neck.
  • Snake wrapped around 3 times – each coil representing: past, present, future. But his control over the snake represents his independence of time and death.
• His upper body is bare and covered by ash.
  • Transcendental aspect of his nature, beyond all material and birth and death.
• His matted hair adorns a crescent moon.
  • Represents wind/air as the form of breath/life in all living beings.
• The Ganga river flows from the top of his head.
  • The purest form of water originating from Ishwar and flowing to all living beings on earth.
• The third eye is depicted on his forehead.
  • Spiritual power and knowledge, ability to annihilate evil.
• His eyes remain half open.
  • As Shiva opens eyes the creation begins, as he closes eyes, destruction happens. Eyes half open signify the existence of the universe in the cycle of birth and death.
• He has a crescent moon on his hair.
  • Control over time and universe.
• His throat is blue, which is why he is called ‘Neel-Kantha’. (More in ‘well known stories’)
  • This is from when he sacrificed himself for all beings by holding poison in his throat.
• He holds the trishula (trident) as his weapon with a damaru (drum) tied to it. He also holds a conch, a water pot, and a necklace made of Rudraksha beads.
  • Trishula: Three prongs represent will, action, and knowledge and the three human qualities: rajas (passion, action), tamas (darkness, chaos), sattva (goodness, harmony)
  • Damaru: Creates the cosmic sound of AUM (“OM”). This OM sound is said to be the first vibration of the universe, through which everything else was created.
  • Conch: Auspicious sound at the start of every Hindu ritual.
  • Water Pot: Contains amrit (nectar).
  • Rudraksha: Japa mala (necklace for chanting) with 108 beads made from seeds of the Rudraksha tree. Rudra: uncompromising / Aksha: eye
• Shiva is depicted as both an ascetic yogi and as a householder. He can be shown sitting crosslegged with eyes closed in a deep meditative state or sitting next to his consort Parvati, and children, Ganesha and Kartikeya (Murugan).
• Nandi, the sacred bull, is always present in front of Shiva. He is Shiva’s form of transportation and his gatekeeper.

• Satyam: Truthful
• Shivam: Auspicious, Gracious
• Sundaram: Beautiful, Graceful
• Subham: Good, Positive
• Rudra: Fierce and roaring like a storm
• Bholenath: Innocent, easily pleased by sincere devotion

The Hindu tradition that primarily worships Shiva is called Shaivism. Shiva can be worshipped in two forms:

1. Nirguna (without differentiating qualities); anionic form.
2. Saguna (with differentiating qualities); human form.

The anionic form is called ‘Shiva Lingam’. Lingam in Sanskrit means “the form”. The Lingam, which looks like an ellipsoid, represents the un-manifest beginning to manifest at the start of this cosmic creation. The peetham, or base on which the lingam stands, denotes Parashakti (the manifest energy of the supreme consciousness) in this cosmic cycle.

In Hindu Temple of Dayton temple, you can see the Siva Lingam. Devotees worship Shiva by performing Vedic rituals, chanting his name (Om Namah Shivaya), saying mantras and meditating by focusing on his image.

Mahashivaratri, also known as the ‘The Night of Shiva’, is a special festival celebrated with devotion in honor of Lord Shiva. It falls on the 14th night of the new moon in the Hindu month of Maagha/Phalgun. It is a moonless night and falls during the months of February or March. Devotees observe a full day fast to celebrate this festival. It is believed that on this day, the stars in the Northern Hemisphere are at most optimum positions, which are believed to help boost a person’s spiritual energy. It is also believed that the Shiva principle (Tattva) is most active on this day of the year.

Many Indian classical dances, such as Bharatanatyam, have their root in Shiva’s Nataraja form and cosmic dance. Many of the forms and mudras in these dance forms depict and mirror those of Shiva’s cosmic Tandav dance.

KalaBhairva is the fierce incarnation of Lord Shiva.

Nataraja is Shiva as a cosmic dancer. His vigorous Tandav dance is the source of the cycle of creation, preservation, and dissolution. The dance includes Shiva’s ferocious and joyful forms.

Shiva is worshiped is most parts of India and Nepal as well. The famous Pashupatinath Temple is in Nepal. His references are also found in Buddhism and as Daikokuten, in Japan.

• Shiva – who is always pure
• Shankar – who gives happiness and prosperity
• Neel Kantha – blue throated one
• Trilokesha – Lord of all three worlds
• Mahadev – Greatest of all the Gods
• Ananta – one who is eternal/unending
• Jattadhar – Lord with the matted locks
• Mrityunjay – Lord who conquers death
• Rudra – one who roars
• Shulapani – one who carries a trident

• Om Namah Shivaya
• MahaMruntunjaya Mantra
• Rudram
• Shivashtakam