Shiva

Lord Shiva (Siva) is one of the principaldeities of’Hinduism; one of the expressions of that one God, who assumes many forms and many names, depending on his functions within the manifestation.

Together with Brahma and Vishnu (Visnu), he is the deity that forms the trimurti, expression of the three main qualities, guna, inherent to creation.

Brahma is associated with the creative power, Vishnu with the quality of supporting and protecting, and Shiva with transformation or dissolution.

The “destruction” operated by Shiva is not negative, because it represents the positive transformation, which regenerates and transforms life, bringing well-being and supreme happiness to the world and to all living beings. As the discoveries of modern physics suggest, nothing is created from nothing and everything is transformed!

In the famous myth of the churning of the ocean, Shiva drinks the poison, which emerges first, thus saving the entire world from death. He is, in fact, the Lord of immortality, the One who defeats death. He is the supreme ascetic, absorbed in deep meditation among the Himalayan peaks. His divine consort is Parvati, also known as Uma, Gauri, Durga.

He is honored as Pure Love, Light, Energy and Consciousness. He is contemplated as the Absolute Reality beyond time, form and space. Shiva is pure goodness and purity.

Statue of god Shiva in meditation

The Shivaite or Shaiva tradition

In Shaiva cults, He represents the supreme principle. He is credited with the five cosmic activities (panchakritya): creating (shrishti); maintaining (sthiti); transforming (samahara); the power to bestow grace (anugraha); and the power to veil (tirobhava).

Shiva Nataraja, the Lord of dancers

Between asceticism and sensuality, Shiva is also known as the Lord of the Dance (Nataraja), who performs his cosmic dance creating the entire universe.

He dances in the heart of every being; with his dance he sets the entire manifestation in motion and performs his five functions (panchakritya). His ananda-tandava dance is bliss that gives balm to the suffering of life and liberates devotees from the cycle of rebirth.

The many names of Shiva

He is considered the Lord of all beings and as such is known by the namesPashupati, Bhutapati and many more.

He is the great Lord (Maheshvara), the supreme among the Devas (Mahadeva) and the consort of Uma Devi (Umapati); he is the one who has the power of illusion (mayin).

He is the magnanimous (Shambhu); the auspicious (Shankara); he is the terrific Bhairava; the slayer of the demon Taraka. Shiva is the eternal (Sadashiva); he is the One who welcomes the Goddess Ganga in his hair (Gangadhara).

These are just a few of the 1008 names of Shiva. Each is associated with a specific myth, to a specific iconography and to a specific teaching.

Shiva in the form of Linga

Literally “linga” means “seal”, “sign”.

The linga is the aniconicrepresentation of Shiva. It is often mistakenly associated and reduced to a phallic symbol, while the linga contains in its symbolism all the refined Shaivite philosophy, as well as reflecting a real cosmogram.

Shiva Lingam inside a temple – aniconic representation of God Shiva

The history of Shiva worship

The cult of this deity is very ancient and dates back to the Indus Valley Civilization. Among the archaeological finds, some seals have been found bearing the image of a deity clearly attributable to Shiva Pashupati, as well as some stones that represent him in the form of a linga.

In the Vedas, Shiva is identified with Rudra. Rudra and Shiva have many characteristics in common; among these is their ambivalent nature: peaceful and terrifying.
His vehicle (vahana) is Nandi, the bull, symbol of great virility, prosperity and devotion.

 

Mahashivaratri is the most important celebration for devotees of Shiva..