LORD SHIVA
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Lord Shiva (when used to distinguish lordly status), also known as Siva and written Siva in the official IAST transliteration,) is a form of Ishvara or God in the later Vedic scriptures of Hinduism. The meaning of the word 'Shiva' is 'Good' hence he is called the Good Lord. Shiva is the supreme God in Shaivism, one of the major branches of Hinduism practiced in India.
He is the formless, timeless and spaceless Supreme God in Shaivism. Adi Sankara interprets the name Shiva meaning "One who purifies everyone by the utterance of His name" or "the Pure One". The name Shiva is the Holiest of Holy names. The Good Lord is beyond and unaffected by the three gunas (characteristics) of Prakrti (matter/nature) namely Satva, Rajas, and Tamas.
In Smarta traditions, Lord Shiva exists in three aspects Trimurti,(not to be compared to the trinity as in Christianity). In the Trimurti, Rudra is the Destroyer, and Brahma is the Creator and Vishnu is the Preserver. Shiva, in Shaivism, does everything; He is the Creator, Sustainer and Dissolver. All other Hindu Gods and Goddess are part of the One Lord Shiva. According to Shaivism, the Good Lord Shiva performs five functions: 1. Creator, 2. Preserver, 3. Destroyer of evil, 4. Reprieving us from the sins, and most importantly, 5. Blessing.
A Shaivite view contends that Shiva produces Vishnu who produces Brahma and thus creation began, within which the cycle of the Trimurti exists. Shiva also assumes many other roles, including the Lord of Ascetics (Mahadeva, or the Great God), the Lord of Boons (Rudra, or The Howler - rud-iti rudra), and also the Universal Divinity (Maheshvara, the Great Lord).Shaivaites, the worshippers of Shiva consider Shiva as the Ultimate Reality (see Ishta-Deva for fuller discussion).
Shiva is usually represented by the Shiva linga (or lingam), usually depicted as a clay mound with three horizontal stripes on it, or visualised as a blazing pillar. In anthropomorphised images, he is generally represented as immersed in deep meditation on Mount Kailash, his traditional abode.
Introduction
Lord Shiva is the Good Lord and the Greatest God (Mahadeva) and God of Gods (Devadideva). He is mysterious and complex. He is the formless, timeless and spaceless Supreme God, but also the Lord of the Universe (Vishweshwara) and Supreme Lord (Parameshwara), Supreme Lord of Time (Mahakala) and Lord of Everything (Sarveshwara). There is nothing but him (Sarvavyapi). He is above everything(ParaShiva). He is beyond description, beyond all manifestation, beyond limitation of form, time and space. He is eternal, infinite, all pervading, all knowing and all powerful.
Lord Shiva is referred to as the Good Lord. One of his names is Bholenath, which means the innocent God. Shiva as Rudra is considered to be the destroyer of evil and sorrow. Shiva as Shankara is the doer of good. Shiva is 'tri netra' (three-eyed), and is 'Nilakantha' (= "blue throated", as He consumed the poison Halahala to save the world from destruction). Shiva as Nataraja is the Divine Cosmic Dancer. Shiva as Ardhnarishwara is both man and woman.
He is both static and dynamic; both Creator and Destroyer. He is the oldest(Jyeshta) and the youngest(Kanishta); He is the eternal youth as well as the infant. He is the source of fertility in all living beings. He has gentle as well as fierce forms. Shiva is the greatest of renouncers as well as the ideal lover. He destroys evil and protects good. He bestows prosperity on worshipers although He is austere. He is omnipresent and resides in everyone as pure consciousness.
Shiva is inseparable from Parvati (also referred to as Shakti), who is the daughter of Himavant and Haimavati. There is no Shakti without Shiva and Shakti is His expression; the two are one, the absolute state of being - consciousness and bliss. Shiva is said to have shared half of His body for Shakti and is known as Ardhanarishwara (half woman, half man) in this form. In Hinduism, Shiva is said to have taken this form to depict the equality of men and women.
The five mantras that constitute Shiva's body are Sadyojaata, Vaamadeva, Aghora, Tatpurusha and Eesaana. Sadyojaata is Shiva realized in his basic reality (as in the element earth, in the sense of smell, in the power of procreation and in the mind). "Eesaana" is Shiva invisible to the human eye. The Vishnudharmottara Purana of the 6th century BC assigns a face and an element to each of the above mantras (Sadyojaata - earth, Vaamadeva - water, Aghora - fire, Tatpurusha - air and Eesaana - space).
The names of the deified faces with their elements are Mahadeva (earth), Uma (water), Bhairava (fire), Nandi (air) and Sadasiva (space).
A statue of Shiva near Indira Gandhi International Airport, DelhiIn Shiva temples, Parvati, Navagraha (9 planets), Ganesh, Skanda, Saraswati, Lakshmi, Vishnu, Brahma, Ashtathig balar, Durga, Bhairava, and all the other Hindu Gods will have the place, denoting that Shiva is unique among the gods, so that only He is in a shapeless form (i.e. in linga form).
In most of the South Indian temples, we can see all the five forms in a Shiva temple. All the five characteristics in a single face is said to be Sadashiva.
Shiva is not limited to the personal characteristics as He is given in many images and can transcend all attributes. Hence, Shiva is often worshipped in an abstract manner, as God without form, in the form of linga. This view is similar in some ways to the view of God in Semitic religions. Hindus believe that God can transcend all personal characteristics and yet have personal characteristics for the grace of the embodied human devotee. Personal characteristics are a way for the devotee to focus on God. Shiva is also described as Anaadi (without beginning/birth) and Ananta (without end/death).
The tale about Shiva splitting into two halves of male and female indicates the origin of the Ardhanarishvara - the union of spirit and material, the Being and his Shakti (force). He is also above Spirit and Material.
According to a school of Kashmir Shaivism entitled Spanda, Siva is the transcendent aspect of the Divine, being beyond any mental representation. Anything we could imagine about Siva is not Siva, because Siva cannot be defined, cannot be thought, cannot be evoked.
Shiva: Supreme God
The Good Lord Shiva is the supreme God of Shaivism, one of the four main branches of Hinduism practiced in India today (the others being Vaishnavism, Shaktism, and Smartism).
His holy Vahana (Sanskrit for transport) is Nandi, the Bull. His attendant is named Bhadra. Shiva is usually represented by the Shiva linga. In images, he is generally represented as immersed in deep meditation.
108 shiva lingas carved on the rock at the banks of river Tungabhadra, HampiThe Good Lord Shiva is the God of all and is worshipped by all, from Devas (gods) such as Brahma, Indra, by Asuras(demons) like Bana, Ravana, by humans like Adi Shankara, Nayanars, by creatures such as Jatayu, an eagle, Vali, an ape, and the list goes on and on. Furthermore, people of different backgrounds and qualities worship the Good Lord with many temples having histories of even cranes, bees, elephants, (see Kalahasti), spiders, snakes, worshipping Shiva and getting blessed. It concludes that the Good Lord blesses anyone who worships him with sincere devotion as there is no discrimination based on the seeker. Although Lord Shiva loves His devotees equally as He does not ignore the tapasya of rakshasas, asuras or anybody, even those with bad intentions, He always finds ways to protect dharma and not allow any evil to triumph over good.
Consorts, and the burning of Kamadeva
Shiva's consort is Devi, God's energy or the Divine Mother who comes in many different forms, one of whom is Kali, Adi Shakti. Parvati, a more pacific form of Devi is also popular. Sati is another form of Devi who is the daughter of Daksha, who forbade the union with Lord Shiva. Sati disobeyed her father. Daksha once held a Yajna, but did not invite the Lord. In disgust, Sati self-immolated through yogic meditation (or, in another version, in the same fire Daksha used in his sacrifice) which awoke Lord Shiva from deep meditation.
Different versions of what happened afterwards follow. It is reported that Lord Shiva in his anger, began the cosmic dance of death, Tandav which threatened to destroy the world. Worried, the Gods and priests attending the Yajna decided to scatter Sati's ashes over Lord Shiva which calmed him and in deep anguish over the loss of his wife, he went back into meditation.
Another version of the story says that upon learning of Sati's death, the Lord tore off a lock of his hair and lashed it against the ground. The stalk split in two, one half transforming into the terrifying gana Virabhadra, while the other caused Mahakali to manifest on the scene. The Supreme Lord ordered the pair immediately to annihilate Daksha's Yajna. They destroyed the Yajna as commanded by the Lord. Daksha was decapitated by Virabhadra.
Then, Shiva is said to have carried the body of Sati with him and wandered around aimlessly forgetting all the cosmic duties. When the devas pleaded Lord Vishnu, he used his discus(Chakra) to cut the body into 18 pieces which fell to the earth.The places are now known as the Shakthipeeths and form very sacred places of worship.
Sati was later reborn in the house of Himavat (Himalaya mountain-range personified) and performed great penance (Skt: Tapasya) to win over Shiva's attention. Her penance brought Kamadeva and his consort Rati to the scene, whereupon they attempted to interrupt Shiva's meditation with Kamadeva's arrow of passion. It caused Shiva to break his Samadhi, but he was so infuriated by Kamadeva's assault that he burned the deva of passion to ashes on the spot with his glare. It was only after Rati's pleading that Shiva agreed to reincarnate Kamadeva.
Parvati would try again without Kamadeva's aid to win over Shiva, and this time, through her devotion and the persuasion of other rishis, yogis, and devas, he eventually accepted her.
The sons of Shiva
Shiva and Parvati are the parents of Karthikeya and Ganesha. Karthikeya is also known as Murugan in South India and many worship Murugan in the form without an elephant head like Ganesha. Shiva also had a son, Ayyappan with Mahavishnu (Mohini). It is also noteworthy that Rudra, a form of Shiva has offspring known as the Maruts who are the soldiers in Indra's army. The number of Maruts varies from two to sixty (three times sixty in RV 8.96.8.) Furthermore, name "Maruti" is another name for Lord Shiva's avatar Hanuman.
Attributes of Shiva
Shiva, shown in his cosmic form.The Third Eye: The third eye of Shiva on his forehead is the eye of wisdom. It is the eye that looks beyond the obvious. Thus he is known as Trinetreshwara or Triambakeshwara (The Lord with Three Eyes). The third eye of Shiva is also popularly associated with his untamed energy which destroys evil doers and sins.
The Cobra Necklace: The whole Universe with the living and non-living beings is destroyed. Death comes to all. But the Supreme Lord is unaffected by this destruction as all the Universe dissolves into him. The cobra necklace represents Death and destruction. By wearing it around his neck the Good Lord assures everyone that, Death cannot approach him as he is eternal.
Matted hair (Jata): The flow of his matted hair represents him as the lord of wind or Vayu, who is the subtle form of breath present in all living beings. Thus it is Shiva which is the lifeline for all living being. He is Pashupatinath.
Crescent: Shiva bears on his head the crescent of the fifth day (panchami) moon. This is placed near the fiery third eye and this shows the power of Soma, the sacrificial offering, which is the representative of moon. It means that Shiva possesses the power of procreation along with the power of destruction. The moon is also a measure of time; thus the Crescent also represents his control over time. Thus Shiva is known by the names of Somasundara and Chandrashekara.
Sacred Ganga: Ganga, the holiest of the holy rivers, flows from the matted hair of Shiva. The Good Lord allowed an outlet to the great river to traverse the earth and bring purifying water to human beings (See: Origin of Ganga). The flowing water is one of the five elements which compose the whole Universe and from which earth arises. Ganga also denotes fertility one of the creative aspect of Rudra.
The Drum: The drum in the hand of Shiva is the originator of the universal word ? which is the source of all the languages and expression. The drum is known as "Damaru".
The Vibhuti: Vibhuti is three lines of ashes drawn on the forehead that represents the essence of our Being, which remains after all the malas (impurities of ignorance, ego and action) and vasanas (likes and dislikes, attachments to one's body, world, worldly fame, worldly enjoyments, etc.) have been burnt in the fire of knowledge. Hence vibhuti is revered as the very form of Shiva and signifies the Immortality of the soul and manifested glory of the Lord.
The Ashes: Shiva smears his body with cemetery ashes (Bhasma) points to the philosophy of life and death and the fact that death is the ultimate reality of life.
Tiger skin: The tiger is the vehicle of Shakti, the goddess of power and force. Shiva is beyond and above any kind of force. He is the master of Shakti. The tiger skin that he wears symbolises victory over every force. Tigers also represent lust. Thus sitting on Tiger skin, the Good Lord indicates that he is beyond the temptations of lust.
The Elephant & Deer Skin: Shiva also wears elephant skins. Elephants represent pride. Wearing elephant skin, the Good Lord indicates that he has conquered pride. Similarly deer represent the jumping of minds (flickering mind). Shiva wears deer skin which indicates that he has controlled the mind perfectly.
Rudraksha: Shiva wears wrist bands of Rudraksha which are supposed to have medicinal properties.
The Trident: The three points of the Good Lord Shiva’s Trishul symbolizes three functions of the triad – the creation, the sustenance and the destruction. The Trident, in the hand of Shiva indicates that all the three aspects are in his control. It is said that the ancient city of Kashi or modern Varanasi sits atop Shiva's Trishul.
As a weapon the trident represents the instrument of punishment to the evil doer on all the three planes – spiritual, subtle and physical.
Another interpretation of the three headed trident is its head represent the past, the present and the future. The trident in the hand of Rudra indicates his control over the present the past and the future.
Agni
The Vedas state Lord Agni is a manifestation of Lord Rudra. The Shivalinga is said to be a pillar of fire and in the Indus Valley it was indeed used as a fire altar.[1] Also, one of Lord Shiva's thousand names is "TANUNAPAT" meaning "FIRE GOD."[2]
Indra
By many scholors, the King of Gods, Zeus/Jupiter/[[Indra] is a manifestation of Lord Shiva.[3]. In the Rig veda, Lord Indra calls Himself Shiva many times (2:20:3, 6:45:17, 8:93:3.).
Bhairava
Bhairava is another form similar to Durga's Kali.
Ardhanarishvara
This form means "half Shiva and half Parvati."
Lingam
Because Lord Shiva is a yogi who denies His body, he is worshipped by many in the form of the Shivalinga.
Hanuman
It is said in the Hanuman Chalisa and Shiva Mahapurana that Shri Hanuman is an incarnation of Shiva, and he is eleventh avatar of Rudra.
Schools and views of Shaivism in South India
This 14th century statue depicts Shiva (on the left) and his wife Uma (on the right). It is housed in the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.Nayanars (or Nayanmars), saints from Southern India, were mostly responsible for development of Shaivism in the first millennium. Of the schools today, many Saivite sects are in Kashmir and Northern India, with Lingayats and Virasaivas from Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, Southern India. The Saiva Siddhanta is a major Saivite tradition developed in Southern India.
The Lord's actions are often depicted in short stage dramas to help his devotees (particularly nayanmars) better understand his aspects. This is greatly explained in the Thiruvilayadalpuranam. This form is especially prevalent in South India, particularly Tamil Nadu.
Shiva is an icon of masculinity. In mythology and folklore, he can be interpreted to inspire masculine characteristics of the most extreme: absolute virility and fertility; aggression, rage and supreme powers in war; his resolve, meditation is absolute, as is his love for his consort. This form of Siva is strongly worshiped in Tantric Hinduism, especially with the linga as the icon of fertility, piety and the power of the Lord.
The pilgrimage to Amarnath, Mount Kailash (just over the Chinese line of the Himalayas, deep in the highest mountains of the world), and Anantnag in Kashmir are the most difficult and dangerous, yet exalted pilgrimages for Hindus of all sects, ethnic origins and classes. The glaciers in sacred caves forms the Sivalinga or the natural embodiment of his form.
Origin theories
The neutrality of this article is disputed.
Please see the discussion on the talk page.
The Good Lord Shiva in the Vedic hymns appears as the name of a Rudra. It is said that "Siva" comes from Sanskrit "Si" meaning 'Good' and 'auspicious '. One of his synonyms, however, is the name of a Vedic deity, the attributes and nature of which show a good deal of similarity to the post-Vedic Rudra. Rudra, the god of the roaring storm, is usually portrayed in accordance with the element he represents as a fierce, destructive deity whose fearful arrows cause death and disease to men and cattle. He is also called Kapardin (wearing his hair spirally braided like a shell), one of the synonyms of Shiva. The Atharva Veda mentions several other names of the same god, some of which appear even placed together, as in one passage where Bhava, Sarva, Rudra and Pasupati are conjunct. Some were possibly the names under which the same deity was already worshipped in different parts of Northern India. This was certainly the case in later times, since it is expressly stated in one of the later works of the Brahmana period that Sarva was used by the Eastern people and Bhava by a Western tribe. It is also worthy of note that in the same work, composed at a time when the Vedic triad of Agni, Indra-Vayu and Surya was still recognized, attempts are made to identify the Shiva of many names with Agni; and that in one passage in the Mahabharata it is stated that the Brahmins said that Agni was Shiva.
Bronze Chola Statue of Nataraja at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York CityThe Vedic Rudra/Shiva was frequently invoked as the lord of nourishment, to bestow food, wealth and other blessings. With the divine Soma, he was called the progenitor of heaven and earth, and is connected with the marriage ceremony, where he is asked to lead the bride to the bridegroom and make her prosperous (Skt: Civatama). Additionally, he has the epithet Kapardin, as has Rudra and the later Shiva, and is called Par Upa, or guardian of cattle, whence the latter derives his name Parupati. Parupa is a powerful and even fierce deity, who with his goad or golden spear, smites the foes of his worshipper, and thus in this respect offers some similarity to Rudra, which may have favored the fusion of the two gods into a monotheistic conception of God as Shiva.
There is however, the matter of the Pashupati (Lord of the Beasts) emblem on a seal discovered in Mohenjodaro, a major city-state in the Indus Valley Civilization. It puts forward a strong case for Shiva to be a God not of Indo-Aryan roots, but rooted in the people of the Indus valley, and the indigenous Dravidian and tribal peoples who inhabited the subcontinent. Shiva occupies an exalted, supreme position in Hinduism, making the case that Hinduism is not an Aryan religion, but a synthesis of Aryan, Dravidian and other influences.
Srisaila Mallikarjunaswamy
The shrine of Lord Mallikarjuna (Shiva) picturesquely situated on a flat top of Nallamalai Hills, Srisailam is reputed to be one of the most ancient kshetras in India. It is on the right side of the River Krishna in Kurnool District of Andhra Pradesh. This celebrated mountain is also named as Siridhan, Srigiri, Sirigiri, Sriparvatha and Srinagam. It has been a popular centre of Saivite pilgrimage for centuries. The prominence of this Divya Kshetram is highlighted by the fact that while performing our daily household rituals we specify place of location of our existence with reference to Srisailam. The presiding Deities of this kshetram Lord Mallikarjuna Swamy is one of the twelve Jyothirlingas and Goddess Bhramaramba Devi is one of the eighteen Mahasakthis and both are self-manifested. The unique feature of this kshetram is the combination of Jyothirlingam and Mahasakthi in one campus, which is very rare and only one of its kind. There is a common belief in vogue that this Holy Kshetram exists from times immemorial. The antiquity and origin of God Mallikarjuna Swamy and Goddess Bhramaramba Devi is not known. The Mallikarjuna Linga is accessible to each and every devotee and anybody can go into the sanctum sanctorum of Mallikarjuna, touch him and perform Abhishekam and Archana himself to recitation of Mantras by Archakas without caste or creed or religion. This clearly reveals that socialistic pattern of society started from this place and it is still in existence. Srisailam played a dominant role in our religious, cultural and social history from ancient times. The epigraphical evidence reveals that the history of Srisailam begins with the Sathavahanas who were the first empire builders in South India. The earliest known historical mention of the Hill - Srisailam, can be traced in Pulumavi’s Nasik inscription of 1st Century A.D. The Sathavahanas, the Ikshavakus, the Pallavas, the Vishnukundis, the Chalukyas, the Kakatiyas, the Reedy Kings, the Vijayanagara Emperors and Chatrapathi Shivaji are among the famous emperors who worshipped God Mallikarjuna Swamy. Prataparudra of Kakatiya Dynasty strived a lot for the improvements of this Kshetram and granted Paraganas for its maintenance. Ganapathideva has spent 12000 Golden Nanyas for the maintenance of the temple. The period of Reddi Kings is the ‘Golden Age’ of Srisailam that almost all rulers of the dynasty did celebrated service for this temple. In 14th Century Prolaya Vema Reddi of Reddy Dynasty constructed stepped path-way to Srisailam and Pathalaganga (Here the river Krishna is called as Pathalaganga) and Anavema Reddi constructed Veera Siromandapam in which the Veerasaiva devotees cut off their hands, tongue, limbs with devotion to attain the realisation of the God. This practice is known as Veeracharam. The Second Harihararaya of Vijayanagara Empire constructed the Mukhamantapam of Swamy shrine and also a Gopuram on Southern Side of the temple. In the 15th Century Sri Krishnadevaraya Constructed the Rajagopuram on Eastern side and Salumantapas on both sides of the temple. The last Hindu King who strove hard for the improvement of the temple is Chatrapathi Shivaji who constructed a Gopuram on northern side in the year 1667 A.D.
Names of Shiva
There are 3 Shiva Sahasranamas (Thousand Names) Stotra.
1. Brahma: This Shiva Sahasranama was told by the Lord Brahma and is repeated in the Mahabharata. 2. Vishnu: This Shiva Sahasranama was told by the Lord Vishnu and is present in the Linga Purana. 3. Shiva: This Shiva Sahasranama was told by the Good Lord Shiva himself to his son Scanda.
Some of the common names of the Good Lord are,
Srisaila Mallikarjuna Swamy
Hara
Mahadeva - The Supreme Lord : Maha = great, Deva = God - more often than not, the Aghora (fierce) version
Rudra - The one who howls or strict and uncompromising
Maheshwara - The Supreme Lord: Maha = great, Eshwar = God
Rameshwara - The one whom Ram worships: Ram, Eshwar = worships, God; Ram's God
Mahayogi - The Supreme Yogi: Maha = great, Yogi = one who practices Yoga
Mahabaleshwara - God of Great Strength : Maha = great, Bal = strength, Eshwar = God
Trinetra - Three-Eyed One, i.e. All-Knowing: Tri = three, Netra = Eye
Triaksha - Three-Eyed One, i.e. All-Knowing: Tri = three, Aksha = Eye
Trinayana - Three-Eyed One, i.e. All-Knowing: Tri = three, Nayana = Eye
Tryambakam - Three-Eyed One, i.e. All-Knowing: Tri = three, Ambakam = Eye
Mahakala - Great Time, i.e. Conqueror of Time: Maha = three, Kala = Time
Neelaka?tha - The one with a Blue Throat: Neel = blue, Kantha = throat
Digambara - One who has the skies as his clothes, i.e. The Naked One: Dik = Clothes, Ambara = Sky
Shankara - Giver of Joy
Shambhu - Abode of Joy
Vyomkesha - The One who has the sky as his hair: Vyom = sky, Kesha =hair
Chandrashekhara - The master of the Moon: Chandra = Moon, Shekhara = master
Siddheshwara - The Perfect Lord
Trishuldhari - He who holds the divine Trishul or Trident: Trishul = Trident, Dhari = He who holds
Dakhshi?amurthi - The Cosmic Tutor
Kailashpati - Lord of Mount Kailash
Kailashnath - Lord of Mount Kailash
Pashupatinatha - Lord of all Creatures or Pashupati
Umapati - The husband of Uma
Gangadhara - He who holds the river Ganga
Bhairava - The Frightful One
Sabesan - Lord who dances in the dais
Nagaraja - King of snakes (Lord/Ruler/Controller of snakes)
Ekambaranatha - The destroyer of evil (name used scarcely, mostly in temples)
Tripurantaka - The destroyer of the triplet fortresses, Tripura, of the Asuras.
Ashutosh
Naresh (Sanskrit)- One who purifies everyone by the utterance of His name(Lord of Man/King)
Shiva in Popular culture
The name Shiva has been used in various games in the Final Fantasy series.
The name Shiva has been used for a major antagonist in the Streets of Rage series.
In Atlus' video game series Megami Tensei and Shin Megami Tensei, Shiva is classically one of the strongest and most difficult-to-befriend spirits/demons.
In The Simpsons episode Midnight Rx, Apu says "Save me Shiva!"
Shiva and Kali are mentioned in Don Rosa's comic book The Treasure of the Ten Avatars and appear as statues.
Shiva appers as a villain in the second chapter of Maciek Kur's book Stowarzyszenie umarlych dusz czyli Traumo-pocieszne przygody Znicza Deathsoul.
In the Drawn Together episode Foxxy vs. the Board of Education, Foxxy captures a criminal dress-up as Shiva.
Lady Shiva is a Batman supervillainess in the list of Enemies of Batman. She earned this name from being the world's greatest martial artist, or the Destroyer of Worlds.
About Us
Lord Shiva (when used to distinguish lordly status), also known as Siva and written Siva in the official IAST transliteration,) is a form of Ishvara or God in the later Vedic scriptures of Hinduism. The meaning of the word 'Shiva' is 'Good' hence he is called the Good Lord. Shiva is the supreme God in Shaivism, one of the major branches of Hinduism practiced in India. He is the formless, timeless and spaceless Supreme God in Shaivism. Adi Sankara interprets the name Shiva meaning "One who purifies everyone by the utterance of His name" or "the Pure One". The name Shiva is the Holiest of Holy names. The Good Lord is beyond and unaffected by the three gunas (characteristics) of Prakrti (matter/nature) namely Satva, Rajas, and Tamas. In Smarta traditions, Lord Shiva exists in three aspects Trimurti,(not to be compared to the trinity as in Christianity). In the Trimurti, Rudra is the Destroyer, and Brahma is the Creator and Vishnu is the Preserver. Shiva, in Shaivism, does everything; He is the Creator, Sustainer and Dissolver. All other Hindu Gods and Goddess are part of the One Lord Shiva. According to Shaivism, the Good Lord Shiva performs five functions: 1. Creator, 2. Preserver, 3. Destroyer of evil, 4. Reprieving us from the sins, and most importantly, 5. Blessing. A Shaivite view contends that Shiva produces Vishnu who produces Brahma and thus creation began, within which the cycle of the Trimurti exists. Shiva also assumes many other roles, including the Lord of Ascetics (Mahadeva, or the Great God), the Lord of Boons (Rudra, or The Howler - rud-iti rudra), and also the Universal Divinity (Maheshvara, the Great Lord).Shaivaites, the worshippers of Shiva consider Shiva as the Ultimate Reality (see Ishta-Deva for fuller discussion). Shiva is usually represented by the Shiva linga (or lingam), usually depicted as a clay mound with three horizontal stripes on it, or visualised as a blazing pillar. In anthropomorphised images, he is generally represented as immersed in deep meditation on Mount Kailash, his traditional abode.
Introduction
Lord Shiva is the Good Lord and the Greatest God (Mahadeva) and God of Gods (Devadideva). He is mysterious and complex. He is the formless, timeless and spaceless Supreme God, but also the Lord of the Universe (Vishweshwara) and Supreme Lord (Parameshwara), Supreme Lord of Time (Mahakala) and Lord of Everything (Sarveshwara). There is nothing but him (Sarvavyapi). He is above everything(ParaShiva). He is beyond description, beyond all manifestation, beyond limitation of form, time and space. He is eternal, infinite, all pervading, all knowing and all powerful. Lord Shiva is referred to as the Good Lord. One of his names is Bholenath, which means the innocent God. Shiva as Rudra is considered to be the destroyer of evil and sorrow. Shiva as Shankara is the doer of good. Shiva is 'tri netra' (three-eyed), and is 'Nilakantha' (= "blue throated", as He consumed the poison Halahala to save the world from destruction). Shiva as Nataraja is the Divine Cosmic Dancer. Shiva as Ardhnarishwara is both man and woman. He is both static and dynamic; both Creator and Destroyer. He is the oldest(Jyeshta) and the youngest(Kanishta); He is the eternal youth as well as the infant. He is the source of fertility in all living beings. He has gentle as well as fierce forms. Shiva is the greatest of renouncers as well as the ideal lover. He destroys evil and protects good. He bestows prosperity on worshipers although He is austere. He is omnipresent and resides in everyone as pure consciousness. Shiva is inseparable from Parvati (also referred to as Shakti), who is the daughter of Himavant and Haimavati. There is no Shakti without Shiva and Shakti is His expression; the two are one, the absolute state of being - consciousness and bliss. Shiva is said to have shared half of His body for Shakti and is known as Ardhanarishwara (half woman, half man) in this form. In Hinduism, Shiva is said to have taken this form to depict the equality of men and women. The five mantras that constitute Shiva's body are Sadyojaata, Vaamadeva, Aghora, Tatpurusha and Eesaana. Sadyojaata is Shiva realized in his basic reality (as in the element earth, in the sense of smell, in the power of procreation and in the mind). "Eesaana" is Shiva invisible to the human eye. The Vishnudharmottara Purana of the 6th century BC assigns a face and an element to each of the above mantras (Sadyojaata - earth, Vaamadeva - water, Aghora - fire, Tatpurusha - air and Eesaana - space). The names of the deified faces with their elements are Mahadeva (earth), Uma (water), Bhairava (fire), Nandi (air) and Sadasiva (space).
A statue of Shiva near Indira Gandhi International Airport, DelhiIn Shiva temples, Parvati, Navagraha (9 planets), Ganesh, Skanda, Saraswati, Lakshmi, Vishnu, Brahma, Ashtathig balar, Durga, Bhairava, and all the other Hindu Gods will have the place, denoting that Shiva is unique among the gods, so that only He is in a shapeless form (i.e. in linga form). In most of the South Indian temples, we can see all the five forms in a Shiva temple. All the five characteristics in a single face is said to be Sadashiva. Shiva is not limited to the personal characteristics as He is given in many images and can transcend all attributes. Hence, Shiva is often worshipped in an abstract manner, as God without form, in the form of linga. This view is similar in some ways to the view of God in Semitic religions. Hindus believe that God can transcend all personal characteristics and yet have personal characteristics for the grace of the embodied human devotee. Personal characteristics are a way for the devotee to focus on God. Shiva is also described as Anaadi (without beginning/birth) and Ananta (without end/death). The tale about Shiva splitting into two halves of male and female indicates the origin of the Ardhanarishvara - the union of spirit and material, the Being and his Shakti (force). He is also above Spirit and Material. According to a school of Kashmir Shaivism entitled Spanda, Siva is the transcendent aspect of the Divine, being beyond any mental representation. Anything we could imagine about Siva is not Siva, because Siva cannot be defined, cannot be thought, cannot be evoked.
Shiva: Supreme God
The Good Lord Shiva is the supreme God of Shaivism, one of the four main branches of Hinduism practiced in India today (the others being Vaishnavism, Shaktism, and Smartism). His holy Vahana (Sanskrit for transport) is Nandi, the Bull. His attendant is named Bhadra. Shiva is usually represented by the Shiva linga. In images, he is generally represented as immersed in deep meditation. 108 shiva lingas carved on the rock at the banks of river Tungabhadra, HampiThe Good Lord Shiva is the God of all and is worshipped by all, from Devas (gods) such as Brahma, Indra, by Asuras(demons) like Bana, Ravana, by humans like Adi Shankara, Nayanars, by creatures such as Jatayu, an eagle, Vali, an ape, and the list goes on and on. Furthermore, people of different backgrounds and qualities worship the Good Lord with many temples having histories of even cranes, bees, elephants, (see Kalahasti), spiders, snakes, worshipping Shiva and getting blessed. It concludes that the Good Lord blesses anyone who worships him with sincere devotion as there is no discrimination based on the seeker. Although Lord Shiva loves His devotees equally as He does not ignore the tapasya of rakshasas, asuras or anybody, even those with bad intentions, He always finds ways to protect dharma and not allow any evil to triumph over good.
Consorts, and the burning of Kamadeva
Shiva's consort is Devi, God's energy or the Divine Mother who comes in many different forms, one of whom is Kali, Adi Shakti. Parvati, a more pacific form of Devi is also popular. Sati is another form of Devi who is the daughter of Daksha, who forbade the union with Lord Shiva. Sati disobeyed her father. Daksha once held a Yajna, but did not invite the Lord. In disgust, Sati self-immolated through yogic meditation (or, in another version, in the same fire Daksha used in his sacrifice) which awoke Lord Shiva from deep meditation. Different versions of what happened afterwards follow. It is reported that Lord Shiva in his anger, began the cosmic dance of death, Tandav which threatened to destroy the world. Worried, the Gods and priests attending the Yajna decided to scatter Sati's ashes over Lord Shiva which calmed him and in deep anguish over the loss of his wife, he went back into meditation. Another version of the story says that upon learning of Sati's death, the Lord tore off a lock of his hair and lashed it against the ground. The stalk split in two, one half transforming into the terrifying gana Virabhadra, while the other caused Mahakali to manifest on the scene. The Supreme Lord ordered the pair immediately to annihilate Daksha's Yajna. They destroyed the Yajna as commanded by the Lord. Daksha was decapitated by Virabhadra. Then, Shiva is said to have carried the body of Sati with him and wandered around aimlessly forgetting all the cosmic duties. When the devas pleaded Lord Vishnu, he used his discus(Chakra) to cut the body into 18 pieces which fell to the earth.The places are now known as the Shakthipeeths and form very sacred places of worship. Sati was later reborn in the house of Himavat (Himalaya mountain-range personified) and performed great penance (Skt: Tapasya) to win over Shiva's attention. Her penance brought Kamadeva and his consort Rati to the scene, whereupon they attempted to interrupt Shiva's meditation with Kamadeva's arrow of passion. It caused Shiva to break his Samadhi, but he was so infuriated by Kamadeva's assault that he burned the deva of passion to ashes on the spot with his glare. It was only after Rati's pleading that Shiva agreed to reincarnate Kamadeva. Parvati would try again without Kamadeva's aid to win over Shiva, and this time, through her devotion and the persuasion of other rishis, yogis, and devas, he eventually accepted her.
The sons of Shiva
Shiva and Parvati are the parents of Karthikeya and Ganesha. Karthikeya is also known as Murugan in South India and many worship Murugan in the form without an elephant head like Ganesha. Shiva also had a son, Ayyappan with Mahavishnu (Mohini). It is also noteworthy that Rudra, a form of Shiva has offspring known as the Maruts who are the soldiers in Indra's army. The number of Maruts varies from two to sixty (three times sixty in RV 8.96.8.) Furthermore, name "Maruti" is another name for Lord Shiva's avatar Hanuman.
Attributes of Shiva
Shiva, shown in his cosmic form.The Third Eye: The third eye of Shiva on his forehead is the eye of wisdom. It is the eye that looks beyond the obvious. Thus he is known as Trinetreshwara or Triambakeshwara (The Lord with Three Eyes). The third eye of Shiva is also popularly associated with his untamed energy which destroys evil doers and sins. The Cobra Necklace: The whole Universe with the living and non-living beings is destroyed. Death comes to all. But the Supreme Lord is unaffected by this destruction as all the Universe dissolves into him. The cobra necklace represents Death and destruction. By wearing it around his neck the Good Lord assures everyone that, Death cannot approach him as he is eternal. Matted hair (Jata): The flow of his matted hair represents him as the lord of wind or Vayu, who is the subtle form of breath present in all living beings. Thus it is Shiva which is the lifeline for all living being. He is Pashupatinath. Crescent: Shiva bears on his head the crescent of the fifth day (panchami) moon. This is placed near the fiery third eye and this shows the power of Soma, the sacrificial offering, which is the representative of moon. It means that Shiva possesses the power of procreation along with the power of destruction. The moon is also a measure of time; thus the Crescent also represents his control over time. Thus Shiva is known by the names of Somasundara and Chandrashekara. Sacred Ganga: Ganga, the holiest of the holy rivers, flows from the matted hair of Shiva. The Good Lord allowed an outlet to the great river to traverse the earth and bring purifying water to human beings (See: Origin of Ganga). The flowing water is one of the five elements which compose the whole Universe and from which earth arises. Ganga also denotes fertility one of the creative aspect of Rudra. The Drum: The drum in the hand of Shiva is the originator of the universal word ? which is the source of all the languages and expression. The drum is known as "Damaru". The Vibhuti: Vibhuti is three lines of ashes drawn on the forehead that represents the essence of our Being, which remains after all the malas (impurities of ignorance, ego and action) and vasanas (likes and dislikes, attachments to one's body, world, worldly fame, worldly enjoyments, etc.) have been burnt in the fire of knowledge. Hence vibhuti is revered as the very form of Shiva and signifies the Immortality of the soul and manifested glory of the Lord. The Ashes: Shiva smears his body with cemetery ashes (Bhasma) points to the philosophy of life and death and the fact that death is the ultimate reality of life. Tiger skin: The tiger is the vehicle of Shakti, the goddess of power and force. Shiva is beyond and above any kind of force. He is the master of Shakti. The tiger skin that he wears symbolises victory over every force. Tigers also represent lust. Thus sitting on Tiger skin, the Good Lord indicates that he is beyond the temptations of lust. The Elephant & Deer Skin: Shiva also wears elephant skins. Elephants represent pride. Wearing elephant skin, the Good Lord indicates that he has conquered pride. Similarly deer represent the jumping of minds (flickering mind). Shiva wears deer skin which indicates that he has controlled the mind perfectly. Rudraksha: Shiva wears wrist bands of Rudraksha which are supposed to have medicinal properties. The Trident: The three points of the Good Lord Shiva’s Trishul symbolizes three functions of the triad – the creation, the sustenance and the destruction. The Trident, in the hand of Shiva indicates that all the three aspects are in his control. It is said that the ancient city of Kashi or modern Varanasi sits atop Shiva's Trishul. As a weapon the trident represents the instrument of punishment to the evil doer on all the three planes – spiritual, subtle and physical. Another interpretation of the three headed trident is its head represent the past, the present and the future. The trident in the hand of Rudra indicates his control over the present the past and the future.
Agni
The Vedas state Lord Agni is a manifestation of Lord Rudra. The Shivalinga is said to be a pillar of fire and in the Indus Valley it was indeed used as a fire altar.[1] Also, one of Lord Shiva's thousand names is "TANUNAPAT" meaning "FIRE GOD."[2]
Indra
By many scholors, the King of Gods, Zeus/Jupiter/[[Indra] is a manifestation of Lord Shiva.[3]. In the Rig veda, Lord Indra calls Himself Shiva many times (2:20:3, 6:45:17, 8:93:3.).
Bhairava
Bhairava is another form similar to Durga's Kali.
Ardhanarishvara
This form means "half Shiva and half Parvati."
Lingam
Because Lord Shiva is a yogi who denies His body, he is worshipped by many in the form of the Shivalinga.
Hanuman
It is said in the Hanuman Chalisa and Shiva Mahapurana that Shri Hanuman is an incarnation of Shiva, and he is eleventh avatar of Rudra.
Schools and views of Shaivism in South India
This 14th century statue depicts Shiva (on the left) and his wife Uma (on the right). It is housed in the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.Nayanars (or Nayanmars), saints from Southern India, were mostly responsible for development of Shaivism in the first millennium. Of the schools today, many Saivite sects are in Kashmir and Northern India, with Lingayats and Virasaivas from Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, Southern India. The Saiva Siddhanta is a major Saivite tradition developed in Southern India. The Lord's actions are often depicted in short stage dramas to help his devotees (particularly nayanmars) better understand his aspects. This is greatly explained in the Thiruvilayadalpuranam. This form is especially prevalent in South India, particularly Tamil Nadu. Shiva is an icon of masculinity. In mythology and folklore, he can be interpreted to inspire masculine characteristics of the most extreme: absolute virility and fertility; aggression, rage and supreme powers in war; his resolve, meditation is absolute, as is his love for his consort. This form of Siva is strongly worshiped in Tantric Hinduism, especially with the linga as the icon of fertility, piety and the power of the Lord. The pilgrimage to Amarnath, Mount Kailash (just over the Chinese line of the Himalayas, deep in the highest mountains of the world), and Anantnag in Kashmir are the most difficult and dangerous, yet exalted pilgrimages for Hindus of all sects, ethnic origins and classes. The glaciers in sacred caves forms the Sivalinga or the natural embodiment of his form.
Origin theories
The neutrality of this article is disputed. Please see the discussion on the talk page. The Good Lord Shiva in the Vedic hymns appears as the name of a Rudra. It is said that "Siva" comes from Sanskrit "Si" meaning 'Good' and 'auspicious '. One of his synonyms, however, is the name of a Vedic deity, the attributes and nature of which show a good deal of similarity to the post-Vedic Rudra. Rudra, the god of the roaring storm, is usually portrayed in accordance with the element he represents as a fierce, destructive deity whose fearful arrows cause death and disease to men and cattle. He is also called Kapardin (wearing his hair spirally braided like a shell), one of the synonyms of Shiva. The Atharva Veda mentions several other names of the same god, some of which appear even placed together, as in one passage where Bhava, Sarva, Rudra and Pasupati are conjunct. Some were possibly the names under which the same deity was already worshipped in different parts of Northern India. This was certainly the case in later times, since it is expressly stated in one of the later works of the Brahmana period that Sarva was used by the Eastern people and Bhava by a Western tribe. It is also worthy of note that in the same work, composed at a time when the Vedic triad of Agni, Indra-Vayu and Surya was still recognized, attempts are made to identify the Shiva of many names with Agni; and that in one passage in the Mahabharata it is stated that the Brahmins said that Agni was Shiva. Bronze Chola Statue of Nataraja at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York CityThe Vedic Rudra/Shiva was frequently invoked as the lord of nourishment, to bestow food, wealth and other blessings. With the divine Soma, he was called the progenitor of heaven and earth, and is connected with the marriage ceremony, where he is asked to lead the bride to the bridegroom and make her prosperous (Skt: Civatama). Additionally, he has the epithet Kapardin, as has Rudra and the later Shiva, and is called Par Upa, or guardian of cattle, whence the latter derives his name Parupati. Parupa is a powerful and even fierce deity, who with his goad or golden spear, smites the foes of his worshipper, and thus in this respect offers some similarity to Rudra, which may have favored the fusion of the two gods into a monotheistic conception of God as Shiva. There is however, the matter of the Pashupati (Lord of the Beasts) emblem on a seal discovered in Mohenjodaro, a major city-state in the Indus Valley Civilization. It puts forward a strong case for Shiva to be a God not of Indo-Aryan roots, but rooted in the people of the Indus valley, and the indigenous Dravidian and tribal peoples who inhabited the subcontinent. Shiva occupies an exalted, supreme position in Hinduism, making the case that Hinduism is not an Aryan religion, but a synthesis of Aryan, Dravidian and other influences.
Srisaila Mallikarjunaswamy
The shrine of Lord Mallikarjuna (Shiva) picturesquely situated on a flat top of Nallamalai Hills, Srisailam is reputed to be one of the most ancient kshetras in India. It is on the right side of the River Krishna in Kurnool District of Andhra Pradesh. This celebrated mountain is also named as Siridhan, Srigiri, Sirigiri, Sriparvatha and Srinagam. It has been a popular centre of Saivite pilgrimage for centuries. The prominence of this Divya Kshetram is highlighted by the fact that while performing our daily household rituals we specify place of location of our existence with reference to Srisailam. The presiding Deities of this kshetram Lord Mallikarjuna Swamy is one of the twelve Jyothirlingas and Goddess Bhramaramba Devi is one of the eighteen Mahasakthis and both are self-manifested. The unique feature of this kshetram is the combination of Jyothirlingam and Mahasakthi in one campus, which is very rare and only one of its kind. There is a common belief in vogue that this Holy Kshetram exists from times immemorial. The antiquity and origin of God Mallikarjuna Swamy and Goddess Bhramaramba Devi is not known. The Mallikarjuna Linga is accessible to each and every devotee and anybody can go into the sanctum sanctorum of Mallikarjuna, touch him and perform Abhishekam and Archana himself to recitation of Mantras by Archakas without caste or creed or religion. This clearly reveals that socialistic pattern of society started from this place and it is still in existence. Srisailam played a dominant role in our religious, cultural and social history from ancient times. The epigraphical evidence reveals that the history of Srisailam begins with the Sathavahanas who were the first empire builders in South India. The earliest known historical mention of the Hill - Srisailam, can be traced in Pulumavi’s Nasik inscription of 1st Century A.D. The Sathavahanas, the Ikshavakus, the Pallavas, the Vishnukundis, the Chalukyas, the Kakatiyas, the Reedy Kings, the Vijayanagara Emperors and Chatrapathi Shivaji are among the famous emperors who worshipped God Mallikarjuna Swamy. Prataparudra of Kakatiya Dynasty strived a lot for the improvements of this Kshetram and granted Paraganas for its maintenance. Ganapathideva has spent 12000 Golden Nanyas for the maintenance of the temple. The period of Reddi Kings is the ‘Golden Age’ of Srisailam that almost all rulers of the dynasty did celebrated service for this temple. In 14th Century Prolaya Vema Reddi of Reddy Dynasty constructed stepped path-way to Srisailam and Pathalaganga (Here the river Krishna is called as Pathalaganga) and Anavema Reddi constructed Veera Siromandapam in which the Veerasaiva devotees cut off their hands, tongue, limbs with devotion to attain the realisation of the God. This practice is known as Veeracharam. The Second Harihararaya of Vijayanagara Empire constructed the Mukhamantapam of Swamy shrine and also a Gopuram on Southern Side of the temple. In the 15th Century Sri Krishnadevaraya Constructed the Rajagopuram on Eastern side and Salumantapas on both sides of the temple. The last Hindu King who strove hard for the improvement of the temple is Chatrapathi Shivaji who constructed a Gopuram on northern side in the year 1667 A.D.
Names of Shiva
There are 3 Shiva Sahasranamas (Thousand Names) Stotra. 1. Brahma: This Shiva Sahasranama was told by the Lord Brahma and is repeated in the Mahabharata. 2. Vishnu: This Shiva Sahasranama was told by the Lord Vishnu and is present in the Linga Purana. 3. Shiva: This Shiva Sahasranama was told by the Good Lord Shiva himself to his son Scanda. Some of the common names of the Good Lord are,
Srisaila Mallikarjuna Swamy
Hara
Mahadeva - The Supreme Lord : Maha = great, Deva = God - more often than not, the Aghora (fierce) version
Rudra - The one who howls or strict and uncompromising
Maheshwara - The Supreme Lord: Maha = great, Eshwar = God
Rameshwara - The one whom Ram worships: Ram, Eshwar = worships, God; Ram's God
Mahayogi - The Supreme Yogi: Maha = great, Yogi = one who practices Yoga
Mahabaleshwara - God of Great Strength : Maha = great, Bal = strength, Eshwar = God
Trinetra - Three-Eyed One, i.e. All-Knowing: Tri = three, Netra = Eye
Triaksha - Three-Eyed One, i.e. All-Knowing: Tri = three, Aksha = Eye
Trinayana - Three-Eyed One, i.e. All-Knowing: Tri = three, Nayana = Eye
Tryambakam - Three-Eyed One, i.e. All-Knowing: Tri = three, Ambakam = Eye
Mahakala - Great Time, i.e. Conqueror of Time: Maha = three, Kala = Time
Neelaka?tha - The one with a Blue Throat: Neel = blue, Kantha = throat
Digambara - One who has the skies as his clothes, i.e. The Naked One: Dik = Clothes, Ambara = Sky
Shankara - Giver of Joy
Shambhu - Abode of Joy
Vyomkesha - The One who has the sky as his hair: Vyom = sky, Kesha =hair
Chandrashekhara - The master of the Moon: Chandra = Moon, Shekhara = master
Siddheshwara - The Perfect Lord
Trishuldhari - He who holds the divine Trishul or Trident: Trishul = Trident, Dhari = He who holds
Dakhshi?amurthi - The Cosmic Tutor
Kailashpati - Lord of Mount Kailash
Kailashnath - Lord of Mount Kailash
Pashupatinatha - Lord of all Creatures or Pashupati
Umapati - The husband of Uma
Gangadhara - He who holds the river Ganga
Bhairava - The Frightful One
Sabesan - Lord who dances in the dais
Nagaraja - King of snakes (Lord/Ruler/Controller of snakes)
Ekambaranatha - The destroyer of evil (name used scarcely, mostly in temples)
Tripurantaka - The destroyer of the triplet fortresses, Tripura, of the Asuras.
Ashutosh Naresh (Sanskrit)- One who purifies everyone by the utterance of His name(Lord of Man/King)
Shiva in Popular culture
The name Shiva has been used in various games in the Final Fantasy series. The name Shiva has been used for a major antagonist in the Streets of Rage series. In Atlus' video game series Megami Tensei and Shin Megami Tensei, Shiva is classically one of the strongest and most difficult-to-befriend spirits/demons. In The Simpsons episode Midnight Rx, Apu says "Save me Shiva!" Shiva and Kali are mentioned in Don Rosa's comic book The Treasure of the Ten Avatars and appear as statues. Shiva appers as a villain in the second chapter of Maciek Kur's book Stowarzyszenie umarlych dusz czyli Traumo-pocieszne przygody Znicza Deathsoul. In the Drawn Together episode Foxxy vs. the Board of Education, Foxxy captures a criminal dress-up as Shiva. Lady Shiva is a Batman supervillainess in the list of Enemies of Batman. She earned this name from being the world's greatest martial artist, or the Destroyer of Worlds.