Shiva

Liveology
Jun 27, 2020
2 min read

Updated: Aug 8

Shiva is the destroyer and ruler of this world (samsara) in Hinduism.

Highlights

Third Eye
Trident
Cannabis
Cobra necklace
Long dreadlocks
Vibhuti, three stripes of ash across forehead
Ruler of Samsara or this world
Encompasses both good and evil
Shiva Linga, member of fertility
Master over poison, snakes
Husband of Parvati (also known as Kali, Uma, Sati, Durga)

Information

Photo by Hitesh Kapoor. An idol of Shiva in the form of nataraj, representing his dominion over samsara, or this world of endless death and rebirth.

Shiva is a Hindu deity and one of the trimurti, the Hindu trinity. In the trimurti, Brahma is the Creator, Vishnu, who often incarnates as Krishna, is the sustainer, and Shiva is the destroyer and the ruler of samsara, or the endless cycle of death and rebirth, also known as earth. Some Hindu sects worship Shiva to be the supreme god.

Shiva goes by many names, reflective of his attributes, including Adiyogi "the first yogi", Rudra, "the roarer", representing his fearsome qualities, and many others.

He is the dreadlocked, cannabis smoking, blue god who is often depicted as the Nataraj, the cosmic dancer, within the flames of Samsara, the endless cycle of death and rebirth. He is depicted mid-dance with four hands, outstretched in different directions and standing on his right leg, with the left leg lifted.

An idol of Adiyogi (Shiva) at Isha Yoga Institute by Sadhguru in McMinniville, TN. Devotees are praying at the Shiva Linga (Shiva's member) for fertility.

Names

Sanskrit: शिव Shiva, "The Auspicious One"

Adiyogi, "the first yogi"

Kapalika, "Skull-Bearer"

Nataraja, "King of the Cosmic Dance"

Rudra, "The roarer"

Mahadeva, "Great god" revered by both devas (gods) and asuras (demons)

References

Vedas

Upanishads

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