Shiva: The Destructor

Shiva known in Sanskrit as 'Siva', also known as Mahadeva in Hinduism. It is considered as one of the principle deities. Shiva is one of the Supreme Being within Shaivism which is the major tradition in Hinduism. He is called Lord of divine energy, meditation, arts, yoga, time, destruction, dance, supreme destroyer of evil and Lord of Devas i.e. gods. Bholenath was married to Parvati and also her form Durga, Sati, Kali, Adi Parashakti. Ganesha, Karthikeya, Ashokasundari was born to Lord Shiva.

Out of all the gods he is the only one who can do both - destroy and save. Other names given to Shiva is Mahesha, Shankara, Bholenath, Neelkanth and Mahadeva. His affiliation was Parabrahman, Trimurthi, Paramatman, Ishvara and Deva. He lived on Mount Kailash for years in ancient. People show devotion toward him through mantra “OM NAMAH SHIVAYA”. His weapon used by him is pashupatastra, Trident, Prashu-Axe, Pinaka bow. The symbols of devotion Lord Shiva is called Lingam, Trident, Crescent Moon and Damaru Drum. He is always mounted on his animal bull named as Nandi. Festivals celebrated by people in Hinduism is known as Shraavana, Maha Shivaratri, Ekadashi, Kartik Purnima and Bhairava Ashtami.

The Hindu trinity includes Vishnu, Brahma and Shiva; within this Trimurti Lord Shiva is called the “God of Destruction” i.e. the destroyer. In Shaivism Tradition, Shiva is the only one who create, protect and transforms the whole universe. The goddess Parvati is considered as the creative power and equal partner of Lord Shiva. Shiva is one of the five equivalent deities in Panchayat Ana puja of Smartha tradition.

The Cresent moon on his head is the symbol of a time cycle. Lord Shiva carries a Trishul which represents the three gunas which are Sattva, Rajas and Tamas. Sattva is the basis of creation while Rajas stands for continuity and Tamas stands for destruction. Lord Shiva is the creator, preserver as well as the destroyer of all creation. He is sometimes depicted as the yogi who lives an ascetic life on Mount Kailash with his householder wife Parvati and his two sons Ganesha and Karthikeya and often slay demon which are evil. Shiva is also known as Adiyoga Shiva, as the patron god of yoga, meditation and arts. The attributes which are iconographical are the serpent around his neck, the crescent moon, the river Ganga flowing through his mattered hair, the third eye on his forehead, his weapons and the Damaru drum. He is widely devoted all over India by Hindu’s, Nepal and Srilanka.