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Difference between revisions of "Shiva"

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[[File:Shiva_Bijapur.jpg|thumb|250px|A statue depicting Shiva meditating (Bijapur]]
 
[[File:Shiva_Bijapur.jpg|thumb|250px|A statue depicting Shiva meditating (Bijapur]]
'''[[Shiva]]''' (pron.: /ˈʃɪvə/; "ಶಿವ" [[Kannada]], Tamil: சிவன் sivan,శివుడుTelugu [[meaning]] "[[auspicious]] one") is a [[Hindu]] [[deity]]. He is considered the [[Supreme]] [[God]] within {{Wiki|Shaivism}}, one of the three most influential denominations in [[Hinduism]].  In other branches of [[Hinduism]] such as in the Smarta [[tradition]], he is regarded as one of the five [[primary]] [[forms]] of [[God]]. He is "the Destroyer" or "the Transformer" among the Trimurti, the [[Hindu]] {{Wiki|Trinity}} of the [[primary]] aspects of the [[divine]]
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'''[[Shiva]]''' (pron.: /ˈʃɪvə/; "ಶಿವ" [[Kannada]], {{Wiki|Tamil}}: சிவன் sivan,శివుడుTelugu [[meaning]] "[[auspicious]] one") is a [[Hindu]] [[deity]]. He is considered the [[Supreme]] [[God]] within {{Wiki|Shaivism}}, one of the three most influential denominations in [[Hinduism]].  In other branches of [[Hinduism]] such as in the [[Smarta]] [[tradition]], he is regarded as one of the five [[primary]] [[forms]] of [[God]]. He is "the Destroyer" or "the Transformer" among the [[Trimurti]], the [[Hindu]] {{Wiki|Trinity}} of the [[primary]] aspects of the [[divine]]
  
[[Shiva]] is usually worshipped in the {{Wiki|aniconic}} [[form]] of lingam. He is described as an [[omniscient]] [[yogi]], who [[lives]] an [[ascetic]] [[life]] on [[Mount Kailash]], as well as a [[householder]] with a wife {{Wiki|Parvati}} and two sons, [[Ganesha]] and {{Wiki|Kartikeya}}. [[Shiva]] has many {{Wiki|benevolent}} as well as fearsome [[forms]]. He is often depicted as immersed in deep [[meditation]], with his wife and children or as the [[Cosmic]] Dancer. In fierce aspects, he is often depicted slaying [[demons]].
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[[Shiva]] is usually worshipped in the {{Wiki|aniconic}} [[form]] of [[lingam]]. He is described as an [[omniscient]] [[yogi]], who [[lives]] an [[ascetic]] [[life]] on [[Mount Kailash]], as well as a [[householder]] with a wife {{Wiki|Parvati}} and two sons, [[Ganesha]] and {{Wiki|Kartikeya}}. [[Shiva]] has many {{Wiki|benevolent}} as well as fearsome [[forms]]. He is often depicted as immersed in deep [[meditation]], with his wife and children or as the [[Cosmic]] Dancer. In fierce aspects, he is often depicted slaying [[demons]].
  
In many {{Wiki|holy}} texts and {{Wiki|puranas}} like Mahavishnu, [[Shiva]] or [[Mahadeva]] is also called Paramatman ([[Supreme]] [[soul]]). Shaivas often see him as Parabrahma ([[Supreme]] [[Brahman]]), and is regarded as Bhagwaan by {{Wiki|devotees}}. The [[Shiva]] Sahasranama (1000 names of [[Lord]] Mahadev) declares [[Shiva]] as "Paramatman", the supersoul found everywhere. He is commonly connected to the practice of [[Yoga]].
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In many {{Wiki|holy}} texts and {{Wiki|puranas}} like [[Mahavishnu]], [[Shiva]] or [[Mahadeva]] is also called [[Paramatman]] ([[Supreme]] [[soul]]). Shaivas often see him as Parabrahma ([[Supreme]] [[Brahman]]), and is regarded as Bhagwaan by {{Wiki|devotees}}. The [[Shiva]] Sahasranama (1000 names of [[Lord]] Mahadev) declares [[Shiva]] as "[[Paramatman]]", the supersoul found everywhere. He is commonly connected to the practice of [[Yoga]].
  
 
== {{Wiki|Etymology}} and other names ==
 
== {{Wiki|Etymology}} and other names ==
  
The [[Sanskrit]] [[word]] [[Shiva]] ({{Wiki|Devanagari}}: शिव, [[śiva]] ) is an adjective [[meaning]] "[[pure]] and destroyer".  As a proper [[name]] it means "The [[Auspicious]] One", used as a [[name]] for [[Rudra]].  In simple {{Wiki|English}} transliteration it is written either as [[Shiva]] or {{Wiki|Siva}}. The adjective [[śiva]], [[meaning]] "[[auspicious]]", is used as an attributive [[epithet]] not particularly of [[Rudra]], but of several other {{Wiki|Vedic}} [[deities]].  
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The [[Sanskrit]] [[word]] [[Shiva]] ({{Wiki|Devanagari}}: शिव, [[śiva]] ) is an {{Wiki|adjective}} [[meaning]] "[[pure]] and destroyer".  As a proper [[name]] it means "The [[Auspicious]] One", used as a [[name]] for [[Rudra]].  In simple {{Wiki|English}} transliteration it is written either as [[Shiva]] or {{Wiki|Siva}}. The {{Wiki|adjective}} [[śiva]], [[meaning]] "[[auspicious]]", is used as an attributive [[epithet]] not particularly of [[Rudra]], but of several other {{Wiki|Vedic}} [[deities]].  
The [[Sanskrit]] [[word]] śaiva means "relating to the [[god]] [[Shiva]]", and this term is the [[Sanskrit]] [[name]] both for one of the principal sects of [[Hinduism]] and for a member of that sect. It is used as an adjective to characterize certain [[beliefs]] and practices, such as {{Wiki|Shaivism}}.  He is the oldest worshipped [[Lord]] of [[India]].  
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The [[Sanskrit]] [[word]] [[śaiva]] means "relating to the [[god]] [[Shiva]]", and this term is the [[Sanskrit]] [[name]] both for one of the [[principal]] sects of [[Hinduism]] and for a member of that [[sect]]. It is used as an {{Wiki|adjective}} to characterize certain [[beliefs]] and practices, such as {{Wiki|Shaivism}}.  He is the oldest worshipped [[Lord]] of [[India]].  
  
Adi Sankara, in his interpretation of the [[name]] [[Shiva]], the 27th and 600th [[name]] of [[Vishnu]] sahasranama, the thousand names of [[Vishnu]] interprets [[Shiva]] to have multiple meanings: "The [[Pure]] One", or "the One who is not affected by three [[Gunas]] of Prakrti ([[Sattva]], [[Rajas]], and [[Tamas]])" or "the One who purifies everyone by the very utterance of His [[name]]."  Swami Chinmayananda, in his translation of [[Vishnu]] sahasranama, further elaborates on that verse: [[Shiva]] means "the One who is eternally [[pure]]" or "the One who can never have any contamination of the imperfection of [[Rajas]] and [[Tamas]]".  [[Shiva]] is considered to be the [[Hindu]] [[God]] who has no Aadi or [[Anta]] i.e. no beginning/end.
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[[Wikipedia:Adi Shankara|Adi Sankara]], in his interpretation of the [[name]] [[Shiva]], the 27th and 600th [[name]] of [[Vishnu]] sahasranama, the thousand names of [[Vishnu]] interprets [[Shiva]] to have multiple meanings: "The [[Pure]] One", or "the One who is not affected by three [[Gunas]] of [[Prakrti]] ([[Sattva]], [[Rajas]], and [[Tamas]])" or "the One who purifies everyone by the very utterance of His [[name]]."  Swami Chinmayananda, in his translation of [[Vishnu]] sahasranama, further elaborates on that verse: [[Shiva]] means "the One who is eternally [[pure]]" or "the One who can never have any contamination of the imperfection of [[Rajas]] and [[Tamas]]".  [[Shiva]] is considered to be the [[Hindu]] [[God]] who has no Aadi or [[Anta]] i.e. no beginning/end.
  
Shiva's role as the [[primary]] [[deity]] of {{Wiki|Shaivism}} is reflected in his epithets [[Mahādeva]] ("[[Great]] [[God]]"; mahā = [[Great]] + [[deva]] = [[God]]),  [[Maheśvara]] ("[[Great]] [[Lord]]"; mahā = [[Great]] + [[īśvara]] = [[Lord]]),  and Parameśvara ("[[Supreme]] [[Lord]]").  
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[[Wikipedia:Shiva|Shiva's]] role as the [[primary]] [[deity]] of {{Wiki|Shaivism}} is reflected in his {{Wiki|epithets}} [[Mahādeva]] ("[[Great]] [[God]]"; [[mahā]] = [[Great]] + [[deva]] = [[God]]),  [[Maheśvara]] ("[[Great]] [[Lord]]"; [[mahā]] = [[Great]] + [[īśvara]] = [[Lord]]),  and Parameśvara ("[[Supreme]] [[Lord]]").  
  
There are at least eight different versions of the [[Shiva]] Sahasranama, devotional hymns (stotras) listing many names of [[Shiva]].  The version appearing in [[Book]] 13 (Anuśāsanaparvan) of the {{Wiki|Mahabharata}} is considered the kernel of this [[tradition]].  [[Shiva]] also has Dasha-Sahasranamas (10,000 names) that are found in the Mahanyasa. The Shri Rudram Chamakam, also known as the Śatarudriya, is a devotional hymn to [[Shiva]] hailing him by many names.  
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There are at least eight different versions of the [[Shiva]] Sahasranama, devotional hymns (stotras) listing many names of [[Shiva]].  The version appearing in [[Book]] 13 (Anuśāsanaparvan) of the {{Wiki|Mahabharata}} is considered the kernel of this [[tradition]].  [[Shiva]] also has Dasha-Sahasranamas (10,000 names) that are found in the Mahanyasa. The [[Shri]] Rudram Chamakam, also known as the Śatarudriya, is a devotional hymn to [[Shiva]] hailing him by many names.  
  
== Historical development ==
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== Historical [[development]] ==
 
[[File:Shiva_the_yogi.png|thumb|250px|Shiva the yogi]]
 
[[File:Shiva_the_yogi.png|thumb|250px|Shiva the yogi]]
 
=== Origins ===
 
=== Origins ===
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The {{Wiki|worship}} of [[Shiva]] is a pan-Hindu [[tradition]], practiced widely across all of [[India]], [[Nepal]] and [[Sri Lanka]].  Some {{Wiki|historians}} believe that the figure of [[Shiva]] as we know him today was built up over [[time]], with the [[ideas]] of many regional sects {{Wiki|being}} amalgamated into a single figure.  Sailen Debnath traces the origin of [[Shiva]] to the pre-Aryan period, and believes that he played an important role in the {{Wiki|Indus}} Valley {{Wiki|Civilization}}.  How the persona of [[Shiva]] converged as a composite [[deity]] is not well documented.  Axel Michaels explains the composite {{Wiki|nature}} of {{Wiki|Shaivism}} as follows:
 
The {{Wiki|worship}} of [[Shiva]] is a pan-Hindu [[tradition]], practiced widely across all of [[India]], [[Nepal]] and [[Sri Lanka]].  Some {{Wiki|historians}} believe that the figure of [[Shiva]] as we know him today was built up over [[time]], with the [[ideas]] of many regional sects {{Wiki|being}} amalgamated into a single figure.  Sailen Debnath traces the origin of [[Shiva]] to the pre-Aryan period, and believes that he played an important role in the {{Wiki|Indus}} Valley {{Wiki|Civilization}}.  How the persona of [[Shiva]] converged as a composite [[deity]] is not well documented.  Axel Michaels explains the composite {{Wiki|nature}} of {{Wiki|Shaivism}} as follows:
  
:    Like Vişņu, [[Śiva]] is also a high [[god]], who gives his [[name]] to a collection of {{Wiki|theistic}} trends and sects: {{Wiki|Śaivism}}. Like Vaişņavism, the term also implies a unity which cannot be clearly found either in [[religious]] practice or in [[philosophical]] and [[esoteric]] [[doctrine]]. Furthermore, practice and [[doctrine]] must be kept separate.  
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:    Like Vişņu, [[Śiva]] is also a high [[god]], who gives his [[name]] to a collection of {{Wiki|theistic}} trends and sects: {{Wiki|Śaivism}}. Like Vaişņavism, the term also implies a {{Wiki|unity}} which cannot be clearly found either in [[religious]] practice or in [[philosophical]] and [[esoteric]] [[doctrine]]. Furthermore, practice and [[doctrine]] must be kept separate.  
  
An example of assimilation took place in [[Maharashtra]], where a regional [[deity]] named Khandoba is a {{Wiki|patron}} [[deity]] of farming and herding castes.  The foremost center of {{Wiki|worship}} of Khandoba in [[Maharashtra]] is in Jejuri  Khandoba has been assimilated as a [[form]] of [[Shiva]] himself,  in which case he is worshipped in the [[form]] of a lingam.  Khandoba's varied associations also include an {{Wiki|identification}} with [[Surya]]  and Karttikeya.  
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An example of assimilation took place in [[Maharashtra]], where a regional [[deity]] named Khandoba is a {{Wiki|patron}} [[deity]] of {{Wiki|farming}} and herding [[castes]].  The foremost center of {{Wiki|worship}} of Khandoba in [[Maharashtra]] is in Jejuri  Khandoba has been assimilated as a [[form]] of [[Shiva]] himself,  in which case he is worshipped in the [[form]] of a [[lingam]].  Khandoba's varied associations also include an {{Wiki|identification}} with [[Surya]]  and Karttikeya.  
  
=== The Pashupati seal ===
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=== The [[Pashupati]] {{Wiki|seal}} ===
 
[[File:Shiva_Pashupati.jpg|thumb|250px|Seal discovered at Mohenjodaro shows a seated figure surrounded by animals, possibly Shiva,the Pashupati]]
 
[[File:Shiva_Pashupati.jpg|thumb|250px|Seal discovered at Mohenjodaro shows a seated figure surrounded by animals, possibly Shiva,the Pashupati]]
Seal discovered at Mohenjodaro shows a seated figure surrounded by [[animals]], possibly Shiva,the Pashupati
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Seal discovered at [[Wikipedia:Mohenjo-daro|Mohenjodaro]] shows a seated figure surrounded by [[animals]], possibly Shiva,the [[Pashupati]]
  
A seal discovered during the excavation of Mohenjo-daro has drawn [[attention]] as a possible [[representation]] of a "proto-Shiva" figure.  This Pashupati ([[Lord]] of animal-like [[beings]])  seal shows a seated figure, possibly ithyphallic, surrounded by [[animals]].  Sir John Marshall and others have claimed that this figure is a prototype of [[Shiva]] and have described the figure as having three faces seated in a "[[yoga]] [[posture]]" with the knees out and feet joined. However, this claim is not without its share of critics, with some academics like Gavin Flood  and John Keay characterizing them as unfounded.  
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A {{Wiki|seal}} discovered during the excavation of {{Wiki|Mohenjo-daro}} has drawn [[attention]] as a possible [[representation]] of a "proto-Shiva" figure.  This [[Pashupati]] ([[Lord]] of animal-like [[beings]])  {{Wiki|seal}} shows a seated figure, possibly {{Wiki|ithyphallic}}, surrounded by [[animals]].  Sir John Marshall and others have claimed that this figure is a prototype of [[Shiva]] and have described the figure as having three faces seated in a "[[yoga]] [[posture]]" with the knees out and feet joined. However, this claim is not without its share of critics, with some {{Wiki|academics}} like Gavin Flood  and John Keay characterizing them as unfounded.  
  
[[Lord]] [[Shiva]] is believed to be lived in Kailasa, a peak in the [[Great]] [[Himalayas]]. But some legend said that it is [[Rudra]] who [[lives]] in Kailasa. [[Rudra]] is believed to be an [[Incarnation]] of [[Lord]] Sadashiva.
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[[Lord]] [[Shiva]] is believed to be lived in [[Kailasa]], a peak in the [[Great]] [[Himalayas]]. But some legend said that it is [[Rudra]] who [[lives]] in [[Kailasa]]. [[Rudra]] is believed to be an [[Incarnation]] of [[Lord]] [[Sadashiva]].
  
 
=== [[Rudra]] ===
 
=== [[Rudra]] ===
  
[[Shiva]] as we know him today shares many {{Wiki|features}} with the {{Wiki|Vedic}} [[god]] [[Rudra]] and both [[Shiva]] and [[Rudra]] are viewed as the same [[personality]] in a number of [[Hindu]] [[traditions]]. [[Rudra]], the [[god]] of the roaring storm, is usually portrayed in accordance with the [[element]] he represents as a fierce, destructive [[deity]].
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[[Shiva]] as we know him today shares many {{Wiki|features}} with the {{Wiki|Vedic}} [[god]] [[Rudra]] and both [[Shiva]] and [[Rudra]] are viewed as the same [[personality]] in a number of [[Hindu]] [[traditions]]. [[Rudra]], the [[god]] of the roaring storm, is usually portrayed in accordance with the [[element]] he represents as a fierce, {{Wiki|destructive}} [[deity]].
  
The oldest surviving text of [[Hinduism]] is the {{Wiki|Rig Veda}}, which is dated to between 1700 and 1100 BC based on {{Wiki|linguistic}} and philological {{Wiki|evidence}}.  A [[god]] named [[Rudra]] is mentioned in the {{Wiki|Rig Veda}}. The [[name]] [[Rudra]] is still used as a [[name]] for [[Shiva]]. In RV 2.33, he is described as the "Father of the Rudras", a group of storm [[gods]].  Furthermore, the Rudram, one of the most [[sacred]] hymns of [[Hinduism]] found both in the Rig and the Yajur [[Vedas]] and addressed to [[Rudra]], invokes him as [[Shiva]] in several instances, but the term [[Shiva]] is used as an [[epithet]] for [[Indra]], [[Mitra]] and [[Agni]] many times.
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The oldest surviving text of [[Hinduism]] is the {{Wiki|Rig Veda}}, which is dated to between 1700 and 1100 BC based on {{Wiki|linguistic}} and philological {{Wiki|evidence}}.  A [[god]] named [[Rudra]] is mentioned in the {{Wiki|Rig Veda}}. The [[name]] [[Rudra]] is still used as a [[name]] for [[Shiva]]. In RV 2.33, he is described as the "Father of the [[Rudras]]", a group of storm [[gods]].  Furthermore, the Rudram, one of the most [[sacred]] hymns of [[Hinduism]] found both in the Rig and the Yajur [[Vedas]] and addressed to [[Rudra]], invokes him as [[Shiva]] in several instances, but the term [[Shiva]] is used as an [[epithet]] for [[Indra]], [[Mitra]] and [[Agni]] many times.
  
 
The {{Wiki|identification}} of [[Shiva]] with the older [[god]] [[Rudra]] is not universally accepted, as Axel Michaels explains:
 
The {{Wiki|identification}} of [[Shiva]] with the older [[god]] [[Rudra]] is not universally accepted, as Axel Michaels explains:
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:    [[Rudra]] is called "The Archer" ([[Sanskrit]]: Śarva),  and the arrow is an [[essential]] attribute of [[Rudra]].  This [[name]] appears in the [[Shiva]] Sahasranama, and R. K. Sharma notes that it is used as a [[name]] of [[Shiva]] often in later [[languages]].  
 
:    [[Rudra]] is called "The Archer" ([[Sanskrit]]: Śarva),  and the arrow is an [[essential]] attribute of [[Rudra]].  This [[name]] appears in the [[Shiva]] Sahasranama, and R. K. Sharma notes that it is used as a [[name]] of [[Shiva]] often in later [[languages]].  
  
The [[word]] is derived from the [[Sanskrit]] [[root]] śarv-, which means "to injure" or "to kill",  and Sharma uses that {{Wiki|general}} [[sense]] in his interpretive translation of the [[name]] Śarva as "One who can kill the forces of darkness".  The names Dhanvin ("Bowman")  and Bāṇahasta ("Archer", literally "Armed with arrows in his hands") also refer to archery.
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The [[word]] is derived from the [[Sanskrit]] [[root]] śarv-, which means "to injure" or "to kill",  and Sharma uses that {{Wiki|general}} [[sense]] in his interpretive translation of the [[name]] Śarva as "One who can kill the forces of {{Wiki|darkness}}".  The names Dhanvin ("Bowman")  and Bāṇahasta ("Archer", literally "Armed with arrows in his hands") also refer to [[archery]].
  
 
=== {{Wiki|Identification}} with {{Wiki|Vedic}} [[deities]] ===
 
=== {{Wiki|Identification}} with {{Wiki|Vedic}} [[deities]] ===
  
Shiva's rise to a major position in the {{Wiki|pantheon}} was facilitated by his {{Wiki|identification}} with a host of {{Wiki|Vedic}} [[deities]], including [[Agni]], [[Indra]], Prajāpati, [[Vāyu]], and others.  
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[[Wikipedia:Shiva|Shiva's]] rise to a major position in the {{Wiki|pantheon}} was facilitated by his {{Wiki|identification}} with a host of {{Wiki|Vedic}} [[deities]], including [[Agni]], [[Indra]], [[Wikipedia:Prajapati|Prajāpati]], [[Vāyu]], and others.  
  
 
==== [[Agni]] ====
 
==== [[Agni]] ====
  
[[Rudra]] and [[Agni]] have a close relationship.  The {{Wiki|identification}} between [[Agni]] and [[Rudra]] in the {{Wiki|Vedic}} {{Wiki|literature}} was an important factor in the process of Rudra's gradual development into the later [[character]] as Rudra-Shiva.  The {{Wiki|identification}} of [[Agni]] with [[Rudra]] is explicitly noted in the Nirukta, an important early text on {{Wiki|etymology}}, which says, "[[Agni]] is also called [[Rudra]]."  The interconnections between the two [[deities]] are complex, and according to Stella Kramrisch:
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[[Rudra]] and [[Agni]] have a close relationship.  The {{Wiki|identification}} between [[Agni]] and [[Rudra]] in the {{Wiki|Vedic}} {{Wiki|literature}} was an important factor in the process of Rudra's [[gradual]] [[development]] into the later [[character]] as Rudra-Shiva.  The {{Wiki|identification}} of [[Agni]] with [[Rudra]] is explicitly noted in the [[Nirukta]], an important early text on {{Wiki|etymology}}, which says, "[[Agni]] is also called [[Rudra]]."  The interconnections between the two [[deities]] are complex, and according to Stella Kramrisch:
  
 
:    The [[fire]] [[myth]] of Rudra-Śiva plays on the whole gamut of [[fire]], valuing all its potentialities and phases, from conflagration to [[illumination]].  In {{Wiki|medieval}} {{Wiki|sculpture}}, both [[Agni]] and the [[form]] of [[Shiva]] known as [[Bhairava]] have flaming [[hair]] as a special feature.  
 
:    The [[fire]] [[myth]] of Rudra-Śiva plays on the whole gamut of [[fire]], valuing all its potentialities and phases, from conflagration to [[illumination]].  In {{Wiki|medieval}} {{Wiki|sculpture}}, both [[Agni]] and the [[form]] of [[Shiva]] known as [[Bhairava]] have flaming [[hair]] as a special feature.  
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==== [[Indra]] ====
 
==== [[Indra]] ====
  
According to a {{Wiki|theory}}, the {{Wiki|Puranic}} [[Shiva]] is a continuation of the {{Wiki|Vedic}} [[Indra]].  He gives several [[reasons]] for his {{Wiki|hypothesis}}. Both [[Shiva]] and [[Indra]] are known for having a [[thirst]] for [[Soma]]. Both are associated with mountains, [[rivers]], {{Wiki|male}} {{Wiki|fertility}}, fierceness, [[fearlessness]], warfare, transgression of established mores, the [[Aum]] [[sound]], the [[Supreme]] [[Self]]. In the {{Wiki|Rig Veda}} the term [[śiva]] is used to refer to [[Indra]].  and 8.93.3. ) [[Indra]], like [[Shiva]], is likened to a bull.  In the {{Wiki|Rig Veda}}, [[Rudra]] is the father of the {{Wiki|Maruts}}, but he is never associated with their warlike exploits as is [[Indra]].  
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According to a {{Wiki|theory}}, the {{Wiki|Puranic}} [[Shiva]] is a continuation of the {{Wiki|Vedic}} [[Indra]].  He gives several [[reasons]] for his {{Wiki|hypothesis}}. Both [[Shiva]] and [[Indra]] are known for having a [[thirst]] for [[Soma]]. Both are associated with [[mountains]], [[rivers]], {{Wiki|male}} {{Wiki|fertility}}, fierceness, [[fearlessness]], warfare, {{Wiki|transgression}} of established mores, the [[Aum]] [[sound]], the [[Supreme]] [[Self]]. In the {{Wiki|Rig Veda}} the term [[śiva]] is used to refer to [[Indra]].  and 8.93.3. ) [[Indra]], like [[Shiva]], is likened to a [[bull]].  In the {{Wiki|Rig Veda}}, [[Rudra]] is the father of the {{Wiki|Maruts}}, but he is never associated with their warlike exploits as is [[Indra]].  
  
 
== Position within [[Hinduism]] ==
 
== Position within [[Hinduism]] ==
 
=== {{Wiki|Shaivism}} ===
 
=== {{Wiki|Shaivism}} ===
  
{{Wiki|Shaivism}} ([[Sanskrit]]: शैव पंथ, śaiva paṁtha) (Tamil: சைவ சமயம்) is the oldest of the four major sects of [[Hinduism]], the others {{Wiki|being}} [[Vaishnavism]], [[Shaktism]] and Smartism. Followers of {{Wiki|Shaivism}}, called "Shaivas", and also "Saivas" or "{{Wiki|Saivites}}", revere [[Shiva]] as the [[Supreme Being]]. Shaivas believe that [[Shiva]] is All and in all, the [[creator]], preserver, destroyer, revealer and concealer of all that is.
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{{Wiki|Shaivism}} ([[Sanskrit]]: शैव पंथ, [[śaiva]] paṁtha) ({{Wiki|Tamil}}: சைவ சமயம்) is the oldest of the four major sects of [[Hinduism]], the others {{Wiki|being}} [[Vaishnavism]], [[Shaktism]] and Smartism. Followers of {{Wiki|Shaivism}}, called "Shaivas", and also "[[Saivas]]" or "{{Wiki|Saivites}}", revere [[Shiva]] as the [[Supreme Being]]. Shaivas believe that [[Shiva]] is All and in all, the [[creator]], preserver, destroyer, revealer and concealer of all that is.
  
The [[tantric]] {{Wiki|Shaiva}} [[tradition]] consists of the Kapalikas, [[Kashmir]] {{Wiki|Shaivism}} and {{Wiki|Shaiva}} {{Wiki|Siddhanta}}.
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The [[tantric]] {{Wiki|Shaiva}} [[tradition]] consists of the [[Kapalikas]], [[Kashmir]] {{Wiki|Shaivism}} and {{Wiki|Shaiva}} {{Wiki|Siddhanta}}.
  
 
The [[Shiva]] MahaPurana is one of the [[purāṇas]], a genre of [[Hindu]] [[religious]] texts, dedicated to [[Shiva]].
 
The [[Shiva]] MahaPurana is one of the [[purāṇas]], a genre of [[Hindu]] [[religious]] texts, dedicated to [[Shiva]].
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=== Panchayatana [[puja]] ===
 
=== Panchayatana [[puja]] ===
  
Panchayatana [[puja]] is the system of {{Wiki|worship}} ('[[puja]]') in the Smarta sampradaya of [[Hinduism]]. It is said to have been introduced by Adi [[Shankara]], the 8th century CE [[Hindu]] [[philosopher]]. It consists of the {{Wiki|worship}} of five [[deities]]: [[Shiva]], [[Vishnu]], [[Devi]], [[Surya]] and [[Ganesha]]. Depending on the [[tradition]] followed by Smarta households, one of these [[deities]] is kept in the center and the other four surround it. {{Wiki|Worship}} is [[offered]] to all the [[deities]]. The five are represented by small [[murtis]], or by five kinds of stones, or by five marks drawn on the floor.
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Panchayatana [[puja]] is the system of {{Wiki|worship}} ('[[puja]]') in the [[Smarta]] [[sampradaya]] of [[Hinduism]]. It is said to have been introduced by Adi [[Shankara]], the 8th century CE [[Hindu]] [[philosopher]]. It consists of the {{Wiki|worship}} of five [[deities]]: [[Shiva]], [[Vishnu]], [[Devi]], [[Surya]] and [[Ganesha]]. Depending on the [[tradition]] followed by [[Smarta]] households, one of these [[deities]] is kept in the center and the other four surround it. {{Wiki|Worship}} is [[offered]] to all the [[deities]]. The five are represented by small [[murtis]], or by five kinds of stones, or by five marks drawn on the floor.
  
=== Trimurti ===
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=== [[Trimurti]] ===
  
The Trimurti is a {{Wiki|concept}} in [[Hinduism]]
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The [[Trimurti]] is a {{Wiki|concept}} in [[Hinduism]]
  
 
:    ... in which the [[cosmic]] {{Wiki|functions}} of creation, maintenance, and destruction are personified by the [[forms]] of [[Brahmā]] the [[creator]], [[Vishnu]] the maintainer or preserver and Śhiva the destroyer or transformer,"  
 
:    ... in which the [[cosmic]] {{Wiki|functions}} of creation, maintenance, and destruction are personified by the [[forms]] of [[Brahmā]] the [[creator]], [[Vishnu]] the maintainer or preserver and Śhiva the destroyer or transformer,"  
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== {{Wiki|Iconography}} and properties ==
 
== {{Wiki|Iconography}} and properties ==
=== Attributes ===
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=== [[Attributes]] ===
 
[[File:Shiva_and_Parvati.jpg|thumb|250px|Shiva with Parvati. Shiva is depicted three-eyed, the Ganges flowing through his matted hair (which are yellowish-white or like molten gold), wearing ornaments of serpents and a skull bracelet, and covered in ashes, and Trisula and Damaru are seen in the background.]]
 
[[File:Shiva_and_Parvati.jpg|thumb|250px|Shiva with Parvati. Shiva is depicted three-eyed, the Ganges flowing through his matted hair (which are yellowish-white or like molten gold), wearing ornaments of serpents and a skull bracelet, and covered in ashes, and Trisula and Damaru are seen in the background.]]
[[Shiva]] is depicted three-eyed, the [[Ganges]] flowing through his matted [[hair]] (which are yellowish-white or like molten {{Wiki|gold}}), wearing ornaments of serpents and a skull bracelet, and covered in ashes, and Trisula and [[Damaru]] are seen in the background.
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[[Shiva]] is depicted three-eyed, the [[Ganges]] flowing through his matted [[hair]] (which are yellowish-white or like molten {{Wiki|gold}}), wearing ornaments of serpents and a [[skull]] bracelet, and covered in ashes, and [[Trisula]] and [[Damaru]] are seen in the background.
  
*    '''Shiva's [[form]]:''' [[Shiva]] has a Trident in the right lower arm, with a crescent [[moon]] on his {{Wiki|head}}. He is said to be fair like camphor or like an ice clad mountain. He has [[fire]] and [[Damaru]] and [[Mala]] or a kind of weapon. He wears five serpents as ornaments. He wears a garland of skulls. He is pressing with his feet the [[demon]] Muyalaka, a {{Wiki|dwarf}} [[holding]] a cobra. He faces {{Wiki|south}}. Panchakshara itself is his [[body]]. (The trident, like almost all other [[forms]] in [[Hinduism]], can be understood as the [[symbolism]] of the unity of [[three worlds]] that a [[human]] faces - his inside [[world]], his immediate [[world]], and the broader overall [[world]]. At the base of the trident, all three forks unite.)
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*    '''[[Wikipedia:Shiva|Shiva's]] [[form]]:''' [[Shiva]] has a [[Trident]] in the right lower arm, with a crescent [[moon]] on his {{Wiki|head}}. He is said to be fair like {{Wiki|camphor}} or like an ice clad mountain. He has [[fire]] and [[Damaru]] and [[Mala]] or a kind of weapon. He wears five serpents as ornaments. He wears a garland of skulls. He is pressing with his feet the [[demon]] Muyalaka, a {{Wiki|dwarf}} [[holding]] a {{Wiki|cobra}}. He faces {{Wiki|south}}. Panchakshara itself is his [[body]]. (The [[trident]], like almost all other [[forms]] in [[Hinduism]], can be understood as the [[symbolism]] of the {{Wiki|unity}} of [[three worlds]] that a [[human]] faces - his inside [[world]], his immediate [[world]], and the broader overall [[world]]. At the base of the [[trident]], all three forks unite.)
  
*    '''[[Third eye]]:''' (Trilochana) [[Shiva]] is often depicted with a [[third eye]], with which he burned [[Desire]] ([[Kāma]]) to ashes,  called "Tryambakam" ([[Sanskrit]]: त्र्यम्बकम्), which occurs in many scriptural sources.  In classical [[Sanskrit]], the [[word]] ambaka denotes "an [[eye]]", and in the {{Wiki|Mahabharata}}, [[Shiva]] is depicted as three-eyed, so this [[name]] is sometimes translated as "having three [[eyes]]".  However, in {{Wiki|Vedic Sanskrit}}, the [[word]] ambā or ambikā means "mother", and this early [[meaning]] of the [[word]] is the basis for the translation "three mothers".  These three mother-goddesses who are collectively called the Ambikās.  Other related {{Wiki|translations}} have been based on the [[idea]] that the [[name]] actually refers to the oblations given to [[Rudra]], which according to some [[traditions]] were shared with the [[goddess]] Ambikā.  
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*    '''[[Third eye]]:''' (Trilochana) [[Shiva]] is often depicted with a [[third eye]], with which he burned [[Desire]] ([[Kāma]]) to ashes,  called "Tryambakam" ([[Sanskrit]]: त्र्यम्बकम्), which occurs in many [[scriptural]] sources.  In classical [[Sanskrit]], the [[word]] ambaka denotes "an [[eye]]", and in the {{Wiki|Mahabharata}}, [[Shiva]] is depicted as three-eyed, so this [[name]] is sometimes translated as "having three [[eyes]]".  However, in {{Wiki|Vedic Sanskrit}}, the [[word]] ambā or ambikā means "mother", and this early [[meaning]] of the [[word]] is the basis for the translation "three mothers".  These three mother-goddesses who are collectively called the Ambikās.  Other related {{Wiki|translations}} have been based on the [[idea]] that the [[name]] actually refers to the oblations given to [[Rudra]], which according to some [[traditions]] were shared with the [[goddess]] Ambikā.  
  
*    '''Crescent [[moon]]:''' (The epithets "Chandrasekhara/Chandramouli")- [[Shiva]] bears on his {{Wiki|head}} the crescent [[moon]].  The [[epithet]] Candraśekhara ([[Sanskrit]]: चन्द्रशेखर "Having the [[moon]] as his crest" - [[candra]] = "[[moon]]"; śekhara = "crest, {{Wiki|crown}}")  refers to this feature. The placement of the [[moon]] on his {{Wiki|head}} as a standard iconographic feature dates to the period when [[Rudra]] rose to prominence and became the major [[deity]] Rudra-Shiva.  The origin of this linkage may be due to the {{Wiki|identification}} of the [[moon]] with [[Soma]], and there is a hymn in the {{Wiki|Rig Veda}} where [[Soma]] and [[Rudra]] are jointly implored, and in later {{Wiki|literature}}, [[Soma]] and [[Rudra]] came to be identified with one another, as were [[Soma]] and the [[moon]]. The crescent [[moon]] is shown on the side of the Lord's {{Wiki|head}} as an ornament. The waxing and waning [[phenomenon]] of the [[moon]] [[symbolizes]] the [[time]] cycle through which creation evolves from the beginning to the end. Since the [[Lord]] is the [[Eternal]] [[Reality]], He is [[beyond]] [[time]]. Thus, the crescent [[moon]] is only one of His ornaments. The wearing of the crescent [[moon]] in his {{Wiki|head}} indicates that He has controlled the [[mind]] perfectly.
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*    '''Crescent [[moon]]:''' (The {{Wiki|epithets}} "Chandrasekhara/Chandramouli")- [[Shiva]] bears on his {{Wiki|head}} the crescent [[moon]].  The [[epithet]] Candraśekhara ([[Sanskrit]]: चन्द्रशेखर "Having the [[moon]] as his crest" - [[candra]] = "[[moon]]"; śekhara = "crest, {{Wiki|crown}}")  refers to this feature. The placement of the [[moon]] on his {{Wiki|head}} as a standard iconographic feature dates to the period when [[Rudra]] rose to prominence and became the major [[deity]] Rudra-Shiva.  The origin of this linkage may be due to the {{Wiki|identification}} of the [[moon]] with [[Soma]], and there is a hymn in the {{Wiki|Rig Veda}} where [[Soma]] and [[Rudra]] are jointly implored, and in later {{Wiki|literature}}, [[Soma]] and [[Rudra]] came to be identified with one another, as were [[Soma]] and the [[moon]]. The crescent [[moon]] is shown on the side of the Lord's {{Wiki|head}} as an ornament. The waxing and waning [[phenomenon]] of the [[moon]] [[symbolizes]] the [[time]] cycle through which creation evolves from the beginning to the [[end]]. Since the [[Lord]] is the [[Eternal]] [[Reality]], He is [[beyond]] [[time]]. Thus, the crescent [[moon]] is only one of His ornaments. The wearing of the crescent [[moon]] in his {{Wiki|head}} indicates that He has controlled the [[mind]] perfectly.
  
*    '''Ashes''': (The [[epithet]] "Bhasmaanga Raaga") - [[Shiva]] smears his [[body]] with ashes (bhasma). Ashes represent the final [[reality]] that a [[human being]] will face - the end of all {{Wiki|material}} [[existence]]. Some [[forms]] of [[Shiva]], such as [[Bhairava]], are associated with a very old [[Indian]] [[tradition]] of cremation-ground {{Wiki|asceticism}} that was practiced by some groups who were outside the fold of [[brahmanic]] {{Wiki|orthodoxy}}.  These practices associated with [[cremation]] grounds are also mentioned in the [[Pali canon]] of [[Theravada Buddhism]].  One [[epithet]] for [[Shiva]] is "inhabitant of the [[cremation]] ground" ([[Sanskrit]]: śmaśānavāsin, also spelled Shmashanavasin), referring to this connection.  It is [[interesting]] to see the [[peaceful]] acceptance of [[cremation]] ground [[temples]] of Batuk [[Bhairava]], a [[form]] of [[Lord]] [[Shiva]], by the {{Wiki|general}} populace. At [[Ujjain]], near the Kaal [[Bhairava]] [[temple]] lies such a [[cremation]] ground [[temple]] of Batuk [[Bhairava]], with its legendary [[disciple]] [[Baba]] Dabral known throughout {{Wiki|Central}} [[India]] (as he is blessed, [[people]] say, with the ability to literally read out incidents of the future in one's [[life]] just by [[holding]] one's palm).
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*    '''Ashes''': (The [[epithet]] "Bhasmaanga Raaga") - [[Shiva]] smears his [[body]] with ashes (bhasma). Ashes represent the final [[reality]] that a [[human being]] will face - the [[end]] of all {{Wiki|material}} [[existence]]. Some [[forms]] of [[Shiva]], such as [[Bhairava]], are associated with a very old [[Indian]] [[tradition]] of cremation-ground {{Wiki|asceticism}} that was practiced by some groups who were outside the fold of [[brahmanic]] {{Wiki|orthodoxy}}.  These practices associated with [[cremation]] grounds are also mentioned in the [[Pali canon]] of [[Theravada Buddhism]].  One [[epithet]] for [[Shiva]] is "inhabitant of the [[cremation]] ground" ([[Sanskrit]]: śmaśānavāsin, also spelled Shmashanavasin), referring to this connection.  It is [[interesting]] to see the [[peaceful]] [[acceptance]] of [[cremation]] ground [[temples]] of Batuk [[Bhairava]], a [[form]] of [[Lord]] [[Shiva]], by the {{Wiki|general}} populace. At [[Ujjain]], near the Kaal [[Bhairava]] [[temple]] lies such a [[cremation]] ground [[temple]] of Batuk [[Bhairava]], with its legendary [[disciple]] [[Baba]] Dabral known throughout {{Wiki|Central}} [[India]] (as he is blessed, [[people]] say, with the ability to literally read out incidents of the {{Wiki|future}} in one's [[life]] just by [[holding]] one's palm).
  
*    '''Matted [[hair]]''': (The [[epithet]] "Jataajoota Dhari/Kapardin") - Shiva's {{Wiki|distinctive}} [[hair]] style is noted in the epithets Jaṭin, "the one with matted [[hair]]", and Kapardin, "endowed with matted [[hair]]"  or "wearing his [[hair]] wound in a braid in a shell-like (kaparda) fashion".  A kaparda is a cowrie shell, or a braid of [[hair]] in the [[form]] of a shell, or, more generally, [[hair]] that is shaggy or curly.  His [[hair]] is said to be like molten {{Wiki|gold}} in {{Wiki|color}} or {{Wiki|being}} yellowish-white.
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*    '''Matted [[hair]]''': (The [[epithet]] "Jataajoota Dhari/Kapardin") - [[Wikipedia:Shiva|Shiva's]] {{Wiki|distinctive}} [[hair]] style is noted in the {{Wiki|epithets}} Jaṭin, "the one with matted [[hair]]", and Kapardin, "endowed with matted [[hair]]"  or "wearing his [[hair]] wound in a braid in a shell-like (kaparda) fashion".  A kaparda is a cowrie shell, or a braid of [[hair]] in the [[form]] of a shell, or, more generally, [[hair]] that is shaggy or curly.  His [[hair]] is said to be like molten {{Wiki|gold}} in {{Wiki|color}} or {{Wiki|being}} yellowish-white.
  
*    '''Blue {{Wiki|throat}}''': The [[epithet]] Nīlakaṇtha ([[Sanskrit]] नीलकण्ठ; nīla = "blue", kaṇtha = "{{Wiki|throat}}")  since [[Shiva]] drank the Holahola [[poison]] churned up from the [[Samudra]] Manthan to eliminate its destructive capacity. Shocked by his act, [[Goddess]] {{Wiki|Parvati}} strangled his neck and hence managed to stop it in his neck itself and prevent it from spreading all over the [[universe]] supposed to be in Shiva's stomach. However the [[poison]] was so potent that it changed the {{Wiki|color}} of his neck to blue.  (See [[Maha]] Shivaratri.)
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*    '''Blue {{Wiki|throat}}''': The [[epithet]] Nīlakaṇtha ([[Sanskrit]] नीलकण्ठ; nīla = "blue", kaṇtha = "{{Wiki|throat}}")  since [[Shiva]] drank the Holahola [[poison]] churned up from the [[Samudra]] Manthan to eliminate its {{Wiki|destructive}} capacity. Shocked by his act, [[Goddess]] {{Wiki|Parvati}} strangled his neck and hence managed to stop it in his neck itself and prevent it from spreading all over the [[universe]] supposed to be in [[Wikipedia:Shiva|Shiva's]] {{Wiki|stomach}}. However the [[poison]] was so potent that it changed the {{Wiki|color}} of his neck to blue.  (See [[Maha]] Shivaratri.)
 
[[File:Shiva-Rishikesh.png|thumb|250px|Statue of Shiva meditating in Rishikesh]]
 
[[File:Shiva-Rishikesh.png|thumb|250px|Statue of Shiva meditating in Rishikesh]]
 
*    '''[[Sacred]] [[Ganges]]''': (The [[epithet]] "Gangadhara") Bearer of [[Ganga]]. [[Ganges]] [[river]] flows from the matted [[hair]] of [[Shiva]].  y.
 
*    '''[[Sacred]] [[Ganges]]''': (The [[epithet]] "Gangadhara") Bearer of [[Ganga]]. [[Ganges]] [[river]] flows from the matted [[hair]] of [[Shiva]].  y.
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*    '''{{Wiki|Tiger}} {{Wiki|skin}}''': (The [[epithet]] "Krittivasan").He is often shown seated upon a {{Wiki|tiger}} {{Wiki|skin}},  an honour reserved for the most accomplished of [[Hindu]] [[ascetics]], the Brahmarishis.  {{Wiki|Tiger}} represents [[lust]]. His sitting on the tiger’s {{Wiki|skin}} indicates that He has conquered [[lust]].
 
*    '''{{Wiki|Tiger}} {{Wiki|skin}}''': (The [[epithet]] "Krittivasan").He is often shown seated upon a {{Wiki|tiger}} {{Wiki|skin}},  an honour reserved for the most accomplished of [[Hindu]] [[ascetics]], the Brahmarishis.  {{Wiki|Tiger}} represents [[lust]]. His sitting on the tiger’s {{Wiki|skin}} indicates that He has conquered [[lust]].
  
*    '''Serpents''': (The [[epithet]] "Nagendra Haara"). [[Shiva]] is often shown garlanded with a {{Wiki|snake}}.  His wearing of serpents on the neck denotes [[wisdom]] and {{Wiki|eternity}}.
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*    '''Serpents''': (The [[epithet]] "[[Nagendra]] Haara"). [[Shiva]] is often shown garlanded with a {{Wiki|snake}}.  His wearing of serpents on the neck denotes [[wisdom]] and {{Wiki|eternity}}.
  
*    '''Deer''':His [[holding]] {{Wiki|deer}} on one hand indicates that He has removed the Chanchalata of the [[mind]] (i.e., attained maturity and firmness in [[thought]] process). {{Wiki|Deer}} jumps from one place to another swiftly, similar to the [[mind]] moving from one [[thought]] to another.
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*    '''Deer''':His [[holding]] {{Wiki|deer}} on one hand indicates that He has removed the Chanchalata of the [[mind]] (i.e., [[attained]] maturity and {{Wiki|firmness}} in [[thought]] process). {{Wiki|Deer}} jumps from one place to another swiftly, similar to the [[mind]] moving from one [[thought]] to another.
  
*    '''Trident''': ([[Sanskrit]]: Trishula): Shiva's particular weapon is the trident.  His Trisul that is held in His right hand represents the three Gunas—Sattva, [[Rajas]] and [[Tamas]]. That is the emblem of sovereignty. He rules the [[world]] through these three [[Gunas]]. The [[Damaru]] in His left hand represents the Sabda [[Brahman]]. It represents OM from which all [[languages]] are formed. It is He who formed the [[Sanskrit]] [[language]] out of the [[Damaru]] [[sound]].
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*    '''[[Trident]]''': ([[Sanskrit]]: [[Trishula]]): [[Wikipedia:Shiva|Shiva's]] particular weapon is the [[trident]].  His Trisul that is held in His right hand represents the three Gunas—Sattva, [[Rajas]] and [[Tamas]]. That is the {{Wiki|emblem}} of {{Wiki|sovereignty}}. He rules the [[world]] through these three [[Gunas]]. The [[Damaru]] in His left hand represents the [[Sabda]] [[Brahman]]. It represents OM from which all [[languages]] are formed. It is He who formed the [[Sanskrit]] [[language]] out of the [[Damaru]] [[sound]].
  
*    '''[[Drum]]''': A small [[drum]] shaped like an hourglass is known as a [[damaru]] ([[Sanskrit]]: ḍamaru).  This is one of the attributes of [[Shiva]] in his famous [[dancing]] [[representation]] known as Nataraja. A specific hand gesture ([[mudra]]) called ḍamaru-hasta ([[Sanskrit]] for "ḍamaru-hand") is used to hold the [[drum]].  This [[drum]] is particularly used as an emblem by members of the Kāpālika sect.  
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*    '''[[Drum]]''': A small [[drum]] shaped like an hourglass is known as a [[damaru]] ([[Sanskrit]]: [[ḍamaru]]).  This is one of the [[attributes]] of [[Shiva]] in his famous [[dancing]] [[representation]] known as [[Nataraja]]. A specific hand gesture ([[mudra]]) called ḍamaru-hasta ([[Sanskrit]] for "ḍamaru-hand") is used to hold the [[drum]].  This [[drum]] is particularly used as an {{Wiki|emblem}} by members of the [[Kāpālika]] [[sect]].  
  
*    '''Axe''': ([[Sanskrit]]: Parashu):The parashu is the weapon of [[Lord]] [[Shiva]] who gave it to Parashurama, sixth [[Avatar]] of [[Vishnu]], whose [[name]] means "{{Wiki|Rama}} with the axe" and also taught him its [[mastery]].
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*    '''Axe''': ([[Sanskrit]]: Parashu):The [[parashu]] is the weapon of [[Lord]] [[Shiva]] who gave it to [[Wikipedia:Parashurama|Parashurama]], sixth [[Avatar]] of [[Vishnu]], whose [[name]] means "{{Wiki|Rama}} with the axe" and also [[taught]] him its [[mastery]].
  
*    '''Nandī''': (The [[epithet]] "[[Nandi]] Vaahana").Nandī, also known as {{Wiki|Nandin}}, is the [[name]] of the bull that serves as Shiva's mount ([[Sanskrit]]: [[vāhana]]).  Shiva's association with cattle is reflected in his [[name]] Paśupati, or Pashupati ([[Sanskrit]]: पशुपति), translated by Sharma as "[[lord]] of cattle"  and by Kramrisch as "[[lord]] of [[animals]]", who notes that it is particularly used as an [[epithet]] of [[Rudra]].  [[Rishabha]] or the bull represents [[Dharma]] [[Devata]]. [[Lord]] {{Wiki|Siva}} rides on the bull. Bull is his [[vehicle]]. This denotes that [[Lord]] {{Wiki|Siva}} is the protector of [[Dharma]], is [[an embodiment]] of [[Dharma]] or [[righteousness]].
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*    '''Nandī''': (The [[epithet]] "[[Nandi]] Vaahana").Nandī, also known as {{Wiki|Nandin}}, is the [[name]] of the [[bull]] that serves as [[Wikipedia:Shiva|Shiva's]] mount ([[Sanskrit]]: [[vāhana]]).  [[Wikipedia:Shiva|Shiva's]] association with cattle is reflected in his [[name]] Paśupati, or [[Pashupati]] ([[Sanskrit]]: पशुपति), translated by Sharma as "[[lord]] of cattle"  and by Kramrisch as "[[lord]] of [[animals]]", who notes that it is particularly used as an [[epithet]] of [[Rudra]].  [[Rishabha]] or the [[bull]] represents [[Dharma]] [[Devata]]. [[Lord]] {{Wiki|Siva}} rides on the [[bull]]. [[Bull]] is his [[vehicle]]. This denotes that [[Lord]] {{Wiki|Siva}} is the [[protector]] of [[Dharma]], is [[an embodiment]] of [[Dharma]] or [[righteousness]].
  
*    '''Gaṇa''': The Gaṇas ({{Wiki|Devanagari}}: गण) are {{Wiki|attendants}} of [[Shiva]] and [[live]] in [[Kailash]]. They are often referred to as the bhutaganas, or ghostly hosts, on account of their {{Wiki|nature}}. Generally benign, except when their [[lord]] is transgressed against, they are often invoked to intercede with the [[lord]] on behalf of the devotee. [[Ganesha]] was chosen as their leader by [[Shiva]], hence Ganesha's title gaṇa-īśa or gaṇa-pati, "[[lord]] of the gaṇas".  
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*    '''[[Gaṇa]]''': The Gaṇas ({{Wiki|Devanagari}}: गण) are {{Wiki|attendants}} of [[Shiva]] and [[live]] in [[Kailash]]. They are often referred to as the bhutaganas, or ghostly hosts, on account of their {{Wiki|nature}}. Generally benign, except when their [[lord]] is transgressed against, they are often invoked to intercede with the [[lord]] on behalf of the [[devotee]]. [[Ganesha]] was chosen as their leader by [[Shiva]], hence Ganesha's title gaṇa-īśa or gaṇa-pati, "[[lord]] of the gaṇas".  
  
 
*    '''Mount [[Kailāsa]]:''' [[Mount Kailash]] in the [[Himalayas]] is his [[traditional]] [[abode]].  In [[Hindu]] [[mythology]], Mount [[Kailāsa]] is conceived as resembling a [[Linga]], representing the center of the [[universe]].  
 
*    '''Mount [[Kailāsa]]:''' [[Mount Kailash]] in the [[Himalayas]] is his [[traditional]] [[abode]].  In [[Hindu]] [[mythology]], Mount [[Kailāsa]] is conceived as resembling a [[Linga]], representing the center of the [[universe]].  
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*    '''[[Varanasi]]''': [[Varanasi]] ([[Benares]]) is considered to be the city specially loved by [[Shiva]], and is one of the holiest places of [[pilgrimage]] in [[India]]. It is referred to, in [[religious]] contexts, as [[Kashi]].  
 
*    '''[[Varanasi]]''': [[Varanasi]] ([[Benares]]) is considered to be the city specially loved by [[Shiva]], and is one of the holiest places of [[pilgrimage]] in [[India]]. It is referred to, in [[religious]] contexts, as [[Kashi]].  
  
=== Lingam ===
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=== [[Lingam]] ===
  
Apart from {{Wiki|anthropomorphic}} images of [[Shiva]], the {{Wiki|worship}} of [[Shiva]] in the [[form]] of a lingam, or [[linga]], is also important.  These are depicted in various [[forms]]. One common [[form]] is the [[shape]] of a vertical rounded column. [[Shiva]] means auspiciousness, and [[linga]] means a sign or a [[symbol]]. Hence, the Shivalinga is regarded as a "[[symbol]] of the great [[God]] of the [[universe]] who is all-auspiciousness".  [[Shiva]] also means "one in whom the whole creation sleeps after [[dissolution]]".  [[Linga]] also means the same thing—a place where created [[objects]] get dissolved during the {{Wiki|disintegration}} of the created [[universe]]. Since, according to [[Hinduism]], it is the same [[god]] that creates, sustains and withdraws the [[universe]], the Shivalinga represents [[symbolically]] [[God]] Himself.  Some [[scholars]], such as {{Wiki|Monier-Williams}} and Wendy Doniger, also [[view]] [[linga]] as a phallic [[symbol]],  although this interpretation is disputed by others, including Christopher Isherwood, Vivekananda,  {{Wiki|Swami Sivananda}},  and S.N. Balagangadhara.  
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Apart from {{Wiki|anthropomorphic}} images of [[Shiva]], the {{Wiki|worship}} of [[Shiva]] in the [[form]] of a [[lingam]], or [[linga]], is also important.  These are depicted in various [[forms]]. One common [[form]] is the [[shape]] of a vertical rounded column. [[Shiva]] means auspiciousness, and [[linga]] means a sign or a [[symbol]]. Hence, the Shivalinga is regarded as a "[[symbol]] of the great [[God]] of the [[universe]] who is all-auspiciousness".  [[Shiva]] also means "one in whom the whole creation sleeps after [[dissolution]]".  [[Linga]] also means the same thing—a place where created [[objects]] get dissolved during the {{Wiki|disintegration}} of the created [[universe]]. Since, according to [[Hinduism]], it is the same [[god]] that creates, sustains and withdraws the [[universe]], the Shivalinga represents [[symbolically]] [[God]] Himself.  Some [[scholars]], such as {{Wiki|Monier-Williams}} and Wendy Doniger, also [[view]] [[linga]] as a phallic [[symbol]],  although this interpretation is disputed by others, including Christopher Isherwood, [[Vivekananda]],  {{Wiki|Swami Sivananda}},  and S.N. Balagangadhara.  
  
The {{Wiki|worship}} of the Shiva-Linga originated from the famous hymn in the {{Wiki|Atharva-Veda}} Samhitâ sung in praise of the Yupa-Stambha, the sacrificial post. In that hymn, a description is found of the beginningless and [[endless]] [[Stambha]] or Skambha, and it is shown that the said Skambha is put in place of the [[eternal]] [[Brahman]]. Just as the Yajna (sacrificial) [[fire]], its smoke, ashes, and flames, the [[Soma]] [[plant]], and the {{Wiki|ox}} that used to carry on its back the wood for the {{Wiki|Vedic}} {{Wiki|sacrifice}} gave place to the conceptions of the [[brightness]] of Shiva's [[body]], his tawny matted [[hair]], his blue {{Wiki|throat}}, and the riding on the bull of the [[Shiva]], the Yupa-Skambha gave place in [[time]] to the Shiva-Linga.  In the text [[Linga]] {{Wiki|Purana}}, the same hymn is expanded in the [[shape]] of stories, meant to establish the glory of the great [[Stambha]] and the superiority of [[Shiva]] as [[Mahadeva]].  
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The {{Wiki|worship}} of the Shiva-Linga originated from the famous hymn in the {{Wiki|Atharva-Veda}} Samhitâ sung in praise of the Yupa-Stambha, the sacrificial post. In that hymn, a description is found of the [[beginningless]] and [[endless]] [[Stambha]] or [[Skambha]], and it is shown that the said [[Skambha]] is put in place of the [[eternal]] [[Brahman]]. Just as the [[Yajna]] (sacrificial) [[fire]], its smoke, ashes, and flames, the [[Soma]] [[plant]], and the {{Wiki|ox}} that used to carry on its back the [[wood]] for the {{Wiki|Vedic}} {{Wiki|sacrifice}} gave place to the conceptions of the [[brightness]] of [[Wikipedia:Shiva|Shiva's]] [[body]], his tawny matted [[hair]], his blue {{Wiki|throat}}, and the riding on the [[bull]] of the [[Shiva]], the Yupa-Skambha gave place in [[time]] to the Shiva-Linga.  In the text [[Linga]] {{Wiki|Purana}}, the same hymn is expanded in the [[shape]] of stories, meant to establish the glory of the great [[Stambha]] and the {{Wiki|superiority}} of [[Shiva]] as [[Mahadeva]].  
  
 
=== [[Shakti]] ===
 
=== [[Shakti]] ===
 
[[File:Kali_and_Bhairava_in_Union.jpg|thumb|250px|Kali and Bhairava (the terrible form of Shiva) in Union, 18th century, Nepal]]
 
[[File:Kali_and_Bhairava_in_Union.jpg|thumb|250px|Kali and Bhairava (the terrible form of Shiva) in Union, 18th century, Nepal]]
[[Shiva]] [[forms]] a [[Tantric]] couple with [[Shakti]], the [[embodiment]] of [[energy]] and dynamism, and the motivating force behind all [[action]] and [[existence]] in the [[material universe]]. [[Shiva]] is her [[transcendent]] {{Wiki|masculine}} aspect, providing the [[divine]] ground of all {{Wiki|being}}.
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[[Shiva]] [[forms]] a [[Tantric]] couple with [[Shakti]], the [[embodiment]] of [[energy]] and {{Wiki|dynamism}}, and the motivating force behind all [[action]] and [[existence]] in the [[material universe]]. [[Shiva]] is her [[transcendent]] {{Wiki|masculine}} aspect, providing the [[divine]] ground of all {{Wiki|being}}.
  
 
[[Shakti]] [[manifests]] in several [[female deities]]. [[Sati]] and {{Wiki|Parvati}} are the main [[consorts]] of [[Shiva]], but she is also [[manifested]] as Uma, {{Wiki|Durga}} ([[Parvata]]), [[Kali]] and Chandika.  
 
[[Shakti]] [[manifests]] in several [[female deities]]. [[Sati]] and {{Wiki|Parvati}} are the main [[consorts]] of [[Shiva]], but she is also [[manifested]] as Uma, {{Wiki|Durga}} ([[Parvata]]), [[Kali]] and Chandika.  
  
[[Kali]] is the [[manifestation]] of [[Shakti]] in her dreadful aspect. The [[name]] [[Kali]] comes from [[kāla]], which means black, [[time]], [[death]], [[lord of death]], [[Shiva]]. Since [[Shiva]] is called [[Kāla]], the [[eternal]] [[time]], [[Kālī]], his [[consort]], also means "[[Time]]" or "[[Death]]" (as in "[[time]] has come"). Various {{Wiki|Shakta}} [[Hindu]] {{Wiki|cosmologies}}, as well as Shākta [[Tantric]] [[beliefs]], {{Wiki|worship}} her as the [[ultimate reality]] or [[Brahman]]. She is also revered as Bhavatārini (literally "redeemer of the [[universe]]"). [[Kālī]] is represented as the [[consort]] of [[Lord]] [[Shiva]], on whose [[body]] she is often seen [[standing]] or [[dancing]]. [[Shiva]] is the {{Wiki|masculine}} force, the [[power]] of [[peace]], while [[Shakti]] translates to [[power]], and is considered as the {{Wiki|feminine}} force. In the {{Wiki|Vaishnava}} [[tradition]], these [[realities]] are portrayed as [[Vishnu]] and Laxmi, or {{Wiki|Radha}} and {{Wiki|Krishna}}. These are differences in formulation rather than a fundamental [[difference]] in the {{Wiki|principles}}. Both [[Shiva]] and [[Shakti]] have various [[forms]]. [[Shiva]] has [[forms]] like [[Yogi]] Raj (the common {{Wiki|image}} of Himself [[meditating]] in the [[Himalayas]]), [[Rudra]] (a [[wrathful]] [[form]]) and Nataraj (performing the dance of destruction).  
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[[Kali]] is the [[manifestation]] of [[Shakti]] in her dreadful aspect. The [[name]] [[Kali]] comes from [[kāla]], which means black, [[time]], [[death]], [[lord of death]], [[Shiva]]. Since [[Shiva]] is called [[Kāla]], the [[eternal]] [[time]], [[Kālī]], his [[consort]], also means "[[Time]]" or "[[Death]]" (as in "[[time]] has come"). Various {{Wiki|Shakta}} [[Hindu]] {{Wiki|cosmologies}}, as well as Shākta [[Tantric]] [[beliefs]], {{Wiki|worship}} her as the [[ultimate reality]] or [[Brahman]]. She is also revered as Bhavatārini (literally "redeemer of the [[universe]]"). [[Kālī]] is represented as the [[consort]] of [[Lord]] [[Shiva]], on whose [[body]] she is often seen [[standing]] or [[dancing]]. [[Shiva]] is the {{Wiki|masculine}} force, the [[power]] of [[peace]], while [[Shakti]] translates to [[power]], and is considered as the {{Wiki|feminine}} force. In the {{Wiki|Vaishnava}} [[tradition]], these [[realities]] are portrayed as [[Vishnu]] and [[Laxmi]], or {{Wiki|Radha}} and {{Wiki|Krishna}}. These are differences in formulation rather than a fundamental [[difference]] in the {{Wiki|principles}}. Both [[Shiva]] and [[Shakti]] have various [[forms]]. [[Shiva]] has [[forms]] like [[Yogi]] Raj (the common {{Wiki|image}} of Himself [[meditating]] in the [[Himalayas]]), [[Rudra]] (a [[wrathful]] [[form]]) and Nataraj (performing the dance of destruction).  
  
 
=== The five [[mantras]] ===
 
=== The five [[mantras]] ===
  
Five is a [[sacred]] number for [[Shiva]]. One of his most important [[mantras]] has five syllables (namaḥ śivāya).
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Five is a [[sacred]] number for [[Shiva]]. One of his most important [[mantras]] has five {{Wiki|syllables}} ([[namaḥ]] śivāya).
  
Shiva's [[body]] is said to consist of five [[mantras]], called the pañcabrahmans  As [[forms]] of [[God]], each of these have their own names and {{Wiki|distinct}} {{Wiki|iconography}}:  
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[[Wikipedia:Shiva|Shiva's]] [[body]] is said to consist of five [[mantras]], called the pañcabrahmans  As [[forms]] of [[God]], each of these have their own names and {{Wiki|distinct}} {{Wiki|iconography}}:  
  
 
*    Sadyojāta
 
*    Sadyojāta
*    Vāmadeva
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*    [[Vāmadeva]]
*    Aghora
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*    [[Aghora]]
 
*    Tatpuruṣha
 
*    Tatpuruṣha
 
*    Īsāna
 
*    Īsāna
  
These are represented as the five faces of [[Shiva]] and are associated in various texts with the [[five elements]], the [[five senses]], the five organs of [[perception]], and the five organs of [[action]].  [[Doctrinal]] differences and, possibly, errors in [[transmission]], have resulted in some differences between texts in details of how these five [[forms]] are linked with various attributes.  The overall [[meaning]] of these associations is summarized by Stella Kramrisch:
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These are represented as the five faces of [[Shiva]] and are associated in various texts with the [[five elements]], the [[five senses]], the [[five organs]] of [[perception]], and the [[five organs]] of [[action]].  [[Doctrinal]] differences and, possibly, errors in [[transmission]], have resulted in some differences between texts in details of how these five [[forms]] are linked with various [[attributes]].  The overall [[meaning]] of these associations is summarized by Stella Kramrisch:
  
 
:    Through these [[transcendent]] categories, [[Śiva]], the [[ultimate reality]], becomes the efficient and {{Wiki|material}} [[cause]] of all that [[exists]].  
 
:    Through these [[transcendent]] categories, [[Śiva]], the [[ultimate reality]], becomes the efficient and {{Wiki|material}} [[cause]] of all that [[exists]].  
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== [[Forms]] ==
 
== [[Forms]] ==
  
According to Gavin Flood, "[[Shiva]] is a [[god]] of {{Wiki|ambiguity}} and [[paradox]]," whose attributes include opposing themes. The ambivalent {{Wiki|nature}} of this [[deity]] is apparent in some of his names and the stories told about him.
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According to Gavin Flood, "[[Shiva]] is a [[god]] of {{Wiki|ambiguity}} and [[paradox]]," whose [[attributes]] include opposing themes. The ambivalent {{Wiki|nature}} of this [[deity]] is apparent in some of his names and the stories told about him.
  
 
=== Destroyer versus benefactor ===
 
=== Destroyer versus benefactor ===
 
[[File:Dakshayani.jpg|thumb|250px|Shiva carrying the corpse of his first consort Dakshayani (Sati)]]
 
[[File:Dakshayani.jpg|thumb|250px|Shiva carrying the corpse of his first consort Dakshayani (Sati)]]
In the Yajurveda, two contrary sets of attributes for both malignant or terrific ([[Sanskrit]]: [[rudra]]) and benign or [[auspicious]] ([[Sanskrit]]: [[śiva]]) [[forms]] can be found, leading [[Chakravarti]] to conclude that "all the basic [[elements]] which created the complex Rudra-Śiva sect of later ages are to be found here". In the {{Wiki|Mahabharata}}, [[Shiva]] is depicted as "the standard of [[invincibility]], might, and terror", as well as a figure of {{Wiki|honor}}, [[delight]], and brilliance.  The [[duality]] of Shiva's {{Wiki|fearful}} and [[auspicious]] attributes appears in contrasted names.
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In the [[Yajurveda]], two contrary sets of [[attributes]] for both malignant or terrific ([[Sanskrit]]: [[rudra]]) and benign or [[auspicious]] ([[Sanskrit]]: [[śiva]]) [[forms]] can be found, leading [[Chakravarti]] to conclude that "all the basic [[elements]] which created the complex Rudra-Śiva [[sect]] of later ages are to be found here". In the {{Wiki|Mahabharata}}, [[Shiva]] is depicted as "the standard of [[invincibility]], might, and {{Wiki|terror}}", as well as a figure of {{Wiki|honor}}, [[delight]], and [[brilliance]].  The [[duality]] of [[Wikipedia:Shiva|Shiva's]] {{Wiki|fearful}} and [[auspicious]] [[attributes]] appears in contrasted names.
  
The [[name]] [[Rudra]] ([[Sanskrit]]: रुद्र) reflects his fearsome aspects. According to [[traditional]] etymologies, the [[Sanskrit]] [[name]] [[Rudra]] is derived from the [[root]] rud-, which means "to cry, howl". Stella Kramrisch notes a different {{Wiki|etymology}} connected with the adjectival [[form]] [[raudra]], which means "wild, of [[rudra]] {{Wiki|nature}}", and translates the [[name]] [[Rudra]] as "the wild one" or "the fierce [[god]]".  R. K. Sharma follows this alternate {{Wiki|etymology}} and translates the [[name]] as "terrible".  Hara ([[Sanskrit]]: हर) is an important [[name]] that occurs three times in the Anushasanaparvan version of the [[Shiva]] sahasranama, where it is translated in different ways each [[time]] it occurs, following a commentorial [[tradition]] of not repeating an interpretation. Sharma translates the three as "one who captivates", "one who consolidates", and "one who destroys".  Kramrisch translates it as "the ravisher".  Another of Shiva's fearsome [[forms]] is as [[Kāla]] ([[Sanskrit]]: काल), "[[time]]", and as [[Mahākāla]] ([[Sanskrit]]: महाकाल), "great [[time]]", which ultimately destroys all things.  [[Bhairava]] ([[Sanskrit]]: भैरव), "terrible" or "frightful",  is a fierce [[form]] associated with [[annihilation]].  
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The [[name]] [[Rudra]] ([[Sanskrit]]: रुद्र) reflects his fearsome aspects. According to [[traditional]] etymologies, the [[Sanskrit]] [[name]] [[Rudra]] is derived from the [[root]] rud-, which means "to cry, howl". Stella Kramrisch notes a different {{Wiki|etymology}} connected with the adjectival [[form]] [[raudra]], which means "wild, of [[rudra]] {{Wiki|nature}}", and translates the [[name]] [[Rudra]] as "the wild one" or "the fierce [[god]]".  R. K. Sharma follows this alternate {{Wiki|etymology}} and translates the [[name]] as "terrible".  [[Hara]] ([[Sanskrit]]: हर) is an important [[name]] that occurs three times in the Anushasanaparvan version of the [[Shiva]] sahasranama, where it is translated in different ways each [[time]] it occurs, following a commentorial [[tradition]] of not repeating an interpretation. Sharma translates the three as "one who captivates", "one who consolidates", and "one who destroys".  Kramrisch translates it as "the ravisher".  Another of [[Wikipedia:Shiva|Shiva's]] fearsome [[forms]] is as [[Kāla]] ([[Sanskrit]]: [[काल]]), "[[time]]", and as [[Mahākāla]] ([[Sanskrit]]: महाकाल), "great [[time]]", which ultimately destroys all things.  [[Bhairava]] ([[Sanskrit]]: भैरव), "terrible" or "[[frightful]]",  is a fierce [[form]] associated with [[annihilation]].  
  
In contrast, the [[name]] Śaṇkara ([[Sanskrit]]: शङ्कर), "beneficent" or "conferring [[happiness]]"  reflects his benign [[form]]. This [[name]] was adopted by the great [[Vedanta]] [[philosopher]] Śaṇkara (c. 788 - 820 CE), who is also known as Shankaracharya.  The [[name]] Śambhu ([[Sanskrit]]: शम्भु), "causing [[happiness]]", also reflects this benign aspect.  
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In contrast, the [[name]] Śaṇkara ([[Sanskrit]]: शङ्कर), "beneficent" or "conferring [[happiness]]"  reflects his benign [[form]]. This [[name]] was adopted by the great [[Vedanta]] [[philosopher]] Śaṇkara (c. 788 - 820 CE), who is also known as [[Shankaracharya]].  The [[name]] Śambhu ([[Sanskrit]]: शम्भु), "causing [[happiness]]", also reflects this benign aspect.  
  
 
=== [[Ascetic]] to [[householder]] ===
 
=== [[Ascetic]] to [[householder]] ===
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An illustration of the family of [[Shiva]], consisting of [[Shiva]], {{Wiki|Parvati}}, [[Ganesha]] and [[Skanda]] ({{Wiki|Kartikeya}})
 
An illustration of the family of [[Shiva]], consisting of [[Shiva]], {{Wiki|Parvati}}, [[Ganesha]] and [[Skanda]] ({{Wiki|Kartikeya}})
  
He is depicted as both an [[ascetic]] [[yogi]] and as a [[householder]], roles which have been [[traditionally]] mutually exclusive in [[Hindu]] {{Wiki|society}}.  When depicted as a [[yogi]], he may be shown sitting and [[meditating]].  His [[epithet]] Mahāyogi ("the great [[Yogi]]: Mahā = "great", [[Yogi]] = "one who practices [[Yoga]]") refers to his association with [[yoga]].  While {{Wiki|Vedic}} [[religion]] was conceived mainly in terms of {{Wiki|sacrifice}}, it was during the Epic period that the concepts of [[tapas]], [[yoga]], and {{Wiki|asceticism}} became more important, and the depiction of [[Shiva]] as an [[ascetic]] sitting in [[philosophical]] isolation reflects these later concepts.  [[Shiva]] is also depicted as a corpse below [[Goddess]] [[Kali]], it represents that [[Shiva]] is a corpse without [[Shakti]]. He {{Wiki|remains}} inert. While [[Shiva]] is the static [[form]]. [[Mahakali]] or [[Shakti]] is the dynamic aspect without whom [[Shiva]] is powerless.
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He is depicted as both an [[ascetic]] [[yogi]] and as a [[householder]], roles which have been [[traditionally]] mutually exclusive in [[Hindu]] {{Wiki|society}}.  When depicted as a [[yogi]], he may be shown sitting and [[meditating]].  His [[epithet]] Mahāyogi ("the great [[Yogi]]: [[Mahā]] = "great", [[Yogi]] = "one who practices [[Yoga]]") refers to his association with [[yoga]].  While {{Wiki|Vedic}} [[religion]] was conceived mainly in terms of {{Wiki|sacrifice}}, it was during the Epic period that the [[Wikipedia:concept|concepts]] of [[tapas]], [[yoga]], and {{Wiki|asceticism}} became more important, and the depiction of [[Shiva]] as an [[ascetic]] sitting in [[philosophical]] isolation reflects these later [[Wikipedia:concept|concepts]].  [[Shiva]] is also depicted as a corpse below [[Goddess]] [[Kali]], it represents that [[Shiva]] is a corpse without [[Shakti]]. He {{Wiki|remains}} inert. While [[Shiva]] is the static [[form]]. [[Mahakali]] or [[Shakti]] is the dynamic aspect without whom [[Shiva]] is powerless.
  
As a family man and [[householder]], he has a wife, {{Wiki|Parvati}}, and two sons, [[Ganesha]] and {{Wiki|Kartikeya}}. His [[epithet]] Umāpati ("The husband of Umā") refers to this [[idea]], and Sharma notes that two other variants of this [[name]] that mean the same thing, Umākānta and Umādhava, also appear in the sahasranama.  Umā in epic {{Wiki|literature}} is known by many names, including the benign {{Wiki|Pārvatī}}.  She is identified with [[Devi]], the [[Divine Mother]]; [[Shakti]] ([[divine]] [[energy]]) as well as [[goddesses]] like Tripura [[Sundari]], {{Wiki|Durga}}, Kamakshi and Meenakshi. The [[consorts]] of [[Shiva]] are the source of his creative [[energy]]. They represent the dynamic extension of [[Shiva]] onto this [[universe]].  His son [[Ganesha]] is worshipped throughout [[India]] and [[Nepal]] as the Remover of {{Wiki|Obstacles}}, [[Lord]] of Beginnings and [[Lord]] of {{Wiki|Obstacles}}. {{Wiki|Kartikeya}} is worshipped in Southern [[India]] (especially in Tamil Nadu, {{Wiki|Kerala}} and {{Wiki|Karnataka}}) by the names Subrahmanya, Subrahmanyan, Shanmughan, Swaminathan and {{Wiki|Murugan}}, and in {{Wiki|Northern India}} by the names [[Skanda]], [[Kumara]], or Karttikeya.  
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As a family man and [[householder]], he has a wife, {{Wiki|Parvati}}, and two sons, [[Ganesha]] and {{Wiki|Kartikeya}}. His [[epithet]] Umāpati ("The husband of Umā") refers to this [[idea]], and Sharma notes that two other variants of this [[name]] that mean the same thing, Umākānta and Umādhava, also appear in the sahasranama.  Umā in {{Wiki|epic}} {{Wiki|literature}} is known by many names, including the benign {{Wiki|Pārvatī}}.  She is identified with [[Devi]], the [[Divine Mother]]; [[Shakti]] ([[divine]] [[energy]]) as well as [[goddesses]] like [[Tripura]] [[Sundari]], {{Wiki|Durga}}, Kamakshi and Meenakshi. The [[consorts]] of [[Shiva]] are the source of his creative [[energy]]. They represent the dynamic extension of [[Shiva]] onto this [[universe]].  His son [[Ganesha]] is worshipped throughout [[India]] and [[Nepal]] as the Remover of {{Wiki|Obstacles}}, [[Lord]] of Beginnings and [[Lord]] of {{Wiki|Obstacles}}. {{Wiki|Kartikeya}} is worshipped in Southern [[India]] (especially in {{Wiki|Tamil}} Nadu, {{Wiki|Kerala}} and {{Wiki|Karnataka}}) by the names Subrahmanya, Subrahmanyan, Shanmughan, Swaminathan and {{Wiki|Murugan}}, and in {{Wiki|Northern India}} by the names [[Skanda]], [[Kumara]], or Karttikeya.  
  
=== Nataraja ===
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=== [[Nataraja]] ===
 
[[File:Shiva_as_the_Lord_of_Dance.jpg|thumb|250px|Chola dynasty statue depicting Shiva dancing as Nataraja (Los Angeles County Museum of Art)]]
 
[[File:Shiva_as_the_Lord_of_Dance.jpg|thumb|250px|Chola dynasty statue depicting Shiva dancing as Nataraja (Los Angeles County Museum of Art)]]
Chola dynasty statue depicting [[Shiva]] [[dancing]] as Nataraja ({{Wiki|Los Angeles}} County Museum of [[Art]])
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[[Chola]] {{Wiki|dynasty}} statue depicting [[Shiva]] [[dancing]] as [[Nataraja]] ({{Wiki|Los Angeles}} County Museum of [[Art]])
  
The depiction of [[Shiva]] as Nataraja (Tamil: நடராஜா,Kannada: ನಟರಾಜ, Telugu: నటరాజు, [[Sanskrit]]: naṭarāja, "[[Lord]] of Dance") is popular.  The names Nartaka ("dancer") and Nityanarta ("[[eternal]] dancer") appear in the [[Shiva]] Sahasranama.  His association with dance and also with {{Wiki|music}} is prominent in the {{Wiki|Puranic}} period.  In addition to the specific iconographic [[form]] known as Nataraja, various other types of [[dancing]] [[forms]] ([[Sanskrit]]: nṛtyamūrti) are found in all parts of [[India]], with many well-defined varieties in Tamil Nadu in particular. The two most common [[forms]] of the dance are the Tandava, which later came to denote the {{Wiki|powerful}} and {{Wiki|masculine}} dance as Kala-Mahakala associated with the destruction of the [[world]]. When it requires the [[world]] or [[universe]] to be destroyed, [[Lord]] [[Śiva]] does it by the tāṇḍavanṛtya.  and Lasya, which is graceful and delicate and expresses [[emotions]] on a gentle level and is considered the {{Wiki|feminine}} dance attributed to the [[goddess]] {{Wiki|Parvati}}.  Lasya is regarded as the {{Wiki|female}} counterpart of Tandava.  The Tandava-Lasya dances are associated with the destruction-creation of the [[world]].  
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The depiction of [[Shiva]] as [[Nataraja]] ({{Wiki|Tamil}}: நடராஜா,Kannada: ನಟರಾಜ, {{Wiki|Telugu}}: నటరాజు, [[Sanskrit]]: naṭarāja, "[[Lord]] of Dance") is popular.  The names Nartaka ("dancer") and Nityanarta ("[[eternal]] dancer") appear in the [[Shiva]] Sahasranama.  His association with dance and also with {{Wiki|music}} is prominent in the {{Wiki|Puranic}} period.  In addition to the specific iconographic [[form]] known as [[Nataraja]], various other types of [[dancing]] [[forms]] ([[Sanskrit]]: nṛtyamūrti) are found in all parts of [[India]], with many well-defined varieties in {{Wiki|Tamil}} Nadu in particular. The two most common [[forms]] of the dance are the Tandava, which later came to denote the {{Wiki|powerful}} and {{Wiki|masculine}} dance as Kala-Mahakala associated with the destruction of the [[world]]. When it requires the [[world]] or [[universe]] to be destroyed, [[Lord]] [[Śiva]] does it by the tāṇḍavanṛtya.  and [[Lasya]], which is graceful and delicate and expresses [[emotions]] on a gentle level and is considered the {{Wiki|feminine}} dance attributed to the [[goddess]] {{Wiki|Parvati}}.  [[Lasya]] is regarded as the {{Wiki|female}} counterpart of Tandava.  The Tandava-Lasya dances are associated with the destruction-creation of the [[world]].  
  
 
=== Dakshinamurthy ===
 
=== Dakshinamurthy ===
  
Dakshinamurthy, or Dakṣiṇāmūrti (Tamil:தட்சிணாமூர்த்தி, Telugu: దక్షిణామూర్తి, [[Sanskrit]]: दक्षिणामूर्ति),  literally describes a [[form]] (mūrti) of [[Shiva]] facing {{Wiki|south}} (dakṣiṇa). This [[form]] represents [[Shiva]] in his aspect as a [[teacher]] of [[yoga]], {{Wiki|music}}, and [[wisdom]] and giving exposition on the [[shastras]].  This iconographic [[form]] for depicting [[Shiva]] in [[Indian]] [[art]] is mostly from Tamil Nadu.  [[Elements]] of this motif can include [[Shiva]] seated upon a deer-throne and surrounded by [[sages]] who are receiving his instruction.  
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Dakshinamurthy, or Dakṣiṇāmūrti (Tamil:தட்சிணாமூர்த்தி, {{Wiki|Telugu}}: దక్షిణామూర్తి, [[Sanskrit]]: दक्षिणामूर्ति),  literally describes a [[form]] (mūrti) of [[Shiva]] facing {{Wiki|south}} (dakṣiṇa). This [[form]] represents [[Shiva]] in his aspect as a [[teacher]] of [[yoga]], {{Wiki|music}}, and [[wisdom]] and giving [[exposition]] on the [[shastras]].  This iconographic [[form]] for depicting [[Shiva]] in [[Indian]] [[art]] is mostly from {{Wiki|Tamil}} Nadu.  [[Elements]] of this motif can include [[Shiva]] seated upon a deer-throne and surrounded by [[sages]] who are receiving his instruction.  
  
=== Ardhanarishvara ===
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=== [[Ardhanarishvara]] ===
 
[[File:Ardhanari.png|thumb|250px|Chola bronze from the 11th century. Shiva in the form of Ardhanarisvara.]]
 
[[File:Ardhanari.png|thumb|250px|Chola bronze from the 11th century. Shiva in the form of Ardhanarisvara.]]
  
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=== Tripurantaka ===
 
=== Tripurantaka ===
  
[[Shiva]] is often depicted as an archer in the act of destroying the triple fortresses, Tripura, of the [[Asuras]].  Shiva's [[name]] Tripurantaka ([[Sanskrit]]: त्रिपुरान्तक, Tripurāntaka), "ender of Tripura", refers to this important story. In this aspect, [[Shiva]] is depicted with four arms wielding a bow and arrow, but different from the Pinakapani [[murti]]. He holds an axe and a {{Wiki|deer}} on the upper pair of his arms. In the lower pair of the arms, he holds a bow and an arrow respectively. After destroying Tripura, Tripurantaka [[Shiva]] smeared his forehead with three strokes of Ashes. This has become a prominent [[symbol]] of [[Shiva]] and is practiced even today by {{Wiki|Shaivites}}.
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[[Shiva]] is often depicted as an archer in the act of destroying the triple fortresses, [[Tripura]], of the [[Asuras]].  [[Wikipedia:Shiva|Shiva's]] [[name]] Tripurantaka ([[Sanskrit]]: त्रिपुरान्तक, Tripurāntaka), "ender of [[Tripura]]", refers to this important story. In this aspect, [[Shiva]] is depicted with four arms wielding a [[bow and arrow]], but different from the Pinakapani [[murti]]. He holds an axe and a {{Wiki|deer}} on the upper pair of his arms. In the lower pair of the arms, he holds a [[bow]] and an arrow respectively. After destroying [[Tripura]], Tripurantaka [[Shiva]] smeared his {{Wiki|forehead}} with three strokes of Ashes. This has become a prominent [[symbol]] of [[Shiva]] and is practiced even today by {{Wiki|Shaivites}}.
  
=== Maheshvara ===
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=== [[Wikipedia:Shiva|Maheshvara]] ===
  
In the [[form]] of Maheshvara ([[Japanese]]: 大自在天 Daijizai-ten),  [[Shiva]] plays a role in [[Buddhist]] [[Tantra]].
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In the [[form]] of [[Wikipedia:Shiva|Maheshvara]] ([[Japanese]]: [[大自在天]] Daijizai-ten),  [[Shiva]] plays a role in [[Buddhist]] [[Tantra]].
  
A popular story tells how [[Vajrapani]] kills [[Mahesvara]], a [[manifestation]] of [[Shiva]] depicted as an [[evil]] {{Wiki|being}}.  The story occurs in several [[scriptures]], most notably the Sarvatathagatatattvasamgraha and the Vajrapany-abhiseka-mahatantra.  The story begins with the [[transformation]] of the [[Bodhisattva]] [[Samantabhadra]] into [[Vajrapani]] by [[Vairocana]], the [[cosmic]] [[Buddha]], receiving a [[vajra]] and the [[name]] "[[Vajrapani]]".  [[Vairocana]] then requests [[Vajrapani]] to generate his [[adamantine]] family, to establish a [[mandala]]. [[Vajrapani]] refuses, because [[Mahesvara]] ([[Shiva]]) "is deluding [[beings]] with his deceitfull [[religious]] [[doctrines]] and engaging in all kinds of violent criminal conduct".  [[Mahesvara]] and his entourage are dragged to [[Mount Sumeru]], and all but [[Mahesvara]] submit. [[Vajrapani]] and [[Mahesvara]] engage in a [[magical]] combat, which is won by [[Vajrapani]]. Mahesvara's retinue become part of Vairocana's [[mandala]], except for [[Mahesvara]], who is killed, and his [[life]] transferred to another [[realm]] where he becomes a [[buddha]] named Bhasmesvara-nirghosa, the "Soundless [[Lord]] of Ashes".  
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A popular story tells how [[Vajrapani]] kills [[Mahesvara]], a [[manifestation]] of [[Shiva]] depicted as an [[evil]] {{Wiki|being}}.  The story occurs in several [[scriptures]], most notably the Sarvatathagatatattvasamgraha and the Vajrapany-abhiseka-mahatantra.  The story begins with the [[transformation]] of the [[Bodhisattva]] [[Samantabhadra]] into [[Vajrapani]] by [[Vairocana]], the [[cosmic]] [[Buddha]], receiving a [[vajra]] and the [[name]] "[[Vajrapani]]".  [[Vairocana]] then requests [[Vajrapani]] to generate his [[adamantine]] family, to establish a [[mandala]]. [[Vajrapani]] refuses, because [[Mahesvara]] ([[Shiva]]) "is deluding [[beings]] with his deceitfull [[religious]] [[doctrines]] and engaging in all kinds of [[violent]] criminal conduct".  [[Mahesvara]] and his entourage are dragged to [[Mount Sumeru]], and all but [[Mahesvara]] submit. [[Vajrapani]] and [[Mahesvara]] engage in a [[magical]] combat, which is won by [[Vajrapani]]. [[Mahesvara's]] retinue become part of [[Vairocana's]] [[mandala]], except for [[Mahesvara]], who is killed, and his [[life]] transferred to another [[realm]] where he becomes a [[buddha]] named Bhasmesvara-nirghosa, the "Soundless [[Lord]] of Ashes".  
  
 
According to [[Kalupahana]], the story "echoes" the story of the [[conversion]] of [[Ambattha]].  It is to be understood in the context of the competition between [[Buddhist]] {{Wiki|institutions}} and {{Wiki|Shaivism}}.  
 
According to [[Kalupahana]], the story "echoes" the story of the [[conversion]] of [[Ambattha]].  It is to be understood in the context of the competition between [[Buddhist]] {{Wiki|institutions}} and {{Wiki|Shaivism}}.  
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[[Shiva]], like some other [[Hindu]] [[deities]], is said to have several [[incarnations]], known as [[Avatars]]. Although {{Wiki|Puranic}} [[scriptures]] contain occasional references to "ansh" [[avatars]] of [[Shiva]], the [[idea]] is not universally accepted in [[Saivism]].  The [[Linga]] {{Wiki|Purana}} speaks of twenty-eight [[forms]] of [[Shiva]] which are sometimes seen as [[avatars]].  In the {{Wiki|Shiva Purana}} there is a distinctly {{Wiki|Saivite}} version of a [[traditional]] [[avatar]] [[myth]]:
 
[[Shiva]], like some other [[Hindu]] [[deities]], is said to have several [[incarnations]], known as [[Avatars]]. Although {{Wiki|Puranic}} [[scriptures]] contain occasional references to "ansh" [[avatars]] of [[Shiva]], the [[idea]] is not universally accepted in [[Saivism]].  The [[Linga]] {{Wiki|Purana}} speaks of twenty-eight [[forms]] of [[Shiva]] which are sometimes seen as [[avatars]].  In the {{Wiki|Shiva Purana}} there is a distinctly {{Wiki|Saivite}} version of a [[traditional]] [[avatar]] [[myth]]:
  
*    Virabhadra who was born when [[Shiva]] grabbed a lock of his matted [[hair]] and dashed it to the ground. Virabhadra then destroyed Daksha's yajna ([[fire]] {{Wiki|sacrifice}}) and severed his {{Wiki|head}} as per Shiva's instructions.  
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*    Virabhadra who was born when [[Shiva]] grabbed a lock of his matted [[hair]] and dashed it to the ground. Virabhadra then destroyed Daksha's [[yajna]] ([[fire]] {{Wiki|sacrifice}}) and severed his {{Wiki|head}} as per [[Wikipedia:Shiva|Shiva's]] instructions.  
*    [[Bhairava]], [[Bhairava]] ([[Sanskrit]]: भैरव, "Terrible" or "Frightful", ), sometimes known as Bhairo or Bhairon or Bhairadya or Bheruji (In Rajasthan), is the fierce [[manifestation]] of [[Shiva]] associated with [[annihilation]].  He is one of the most important [[deities]] of Rajasthan and [[Nepal]], [[sacred]] to [[Hindus]] and [[Buddhists]] alike. When depicted as [[Kala]] [[Bhairava]], [[Bhairava]] is shown carrying the decapitated {{Wiki|head}} of [[Brahma]].
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*    [[Bhairava]], [[Bhairava]] ([[Sanskrit]]: भैरव, "Terrible" or "[[Frightful]]", ), sometimes known as Bhairo or Bhairon or Bhairadya or Bheruji (In {{Wiki|Rajasthan}}), is the fierce [[manifestation]] of [[Shiva]] associated with [[annihilation]].  He is one of the most important [[deities]] of {{Wiki|Rajasthan}} and [[Nepal]], [[sacred]] to [[Hindus]] and [[Buddhists]] alike. When depicted as [[Kala]] [[Bhairava]], [[Bhairava]] is shown carrying the decapitated {{Wiki|head}} of [[Brahma]].
 
[[File:Sarabha_Narasinmha_Kangra.jpg|thumb|250px|Sharabha (right) with Narasimha (18th-century painting, Pahari/Kangra School)]]
 
[[File:Sarabha_Narasinmha_Kangra.jpg|thumb|250px|Sharabha (right) with Narasimha (18th-century painting, Pahari/Kangra School)]]
*    Sharabha, {{Wiki|Shaiva}} [[scriptures]] narrate that [[god]] [[Shiva]] assumed the [[Avatar]] ([[incarnation]]) of Sharabha to tame [[Narasimha]] - the fierce man-lion [[avatar]] of [[Vishnu]] worshipped by {{Wiki|Vaishnava}} sect - into a normal [[pleasant]] [[form]] representing [[harmony]]. This [[form]] is popularly known as Sarabeshwara ("[[Lord]] Sarabha") or Sharabeshwaramurti. In [[Buddhism]], Sharabha appears in [[Jataka Tales]] as a previous [[birth]] of the [[Buddha]].
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*    [[Sharabha]], {{Wiki|Shaiva}} [[scriptures]] narrate that [[god]] [[Shiva]] assumed the [[Avatar]] ([[incarnation]]) of [[Sharabha]] to tame [[Narasimha]] - the fierce man-lion [[avatar]] of [[Vishnu]] worshipped by {{Wiki|Vaishnava}} [[sect]] - into a normal [[pleasant]] [[form]] representing [[harmony]]. This [[form]] is popularly known as Sarabeshwara ("[[Lord]] Sarabha") or Sharabeshwaramurti. In [[Buddhism]], [[Sharabha]] appears in [[Jataka Tales]] as a previous [[birth]] of the [[Buddha]].
*    Durvasa (दुर्वास in {{Wiki|Devanagari}} or durvāsa in IAST, pronounced [d̪urʋɑːsɐ] in classical [[Sanskrit]]), or Durvasas, was an {{Wiki|ancient}} [[sage]], the son of Atri and Anasuya. He is supposed to be an [[incarnation]] of [[Shiva]].  He is known for his short temper. Hence, wherever he went, he was received with great reverence from [[humans]] and [[Devas]] alike.  
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*    [[Durvasa]] (दुर्वास in {{Wiki|Devanagari}} or durvāsa in IAST, pronounced [d̪urʋɑːsɐ] in classical [[Sanskrit]]), or Durvasas, was an {{Wiki|ancient}} [[sage]], the son of Atri and Anasuya. He is supposed to be an [[incarnation]] of [[Shiva]].  He is known for his short temper. Hence, wherever he went, he was received with great reverence from [[humans]] and [[Devas]] alike.  
 
*    Khandoba, a [[form]] of [[Shiva]], mainly in the Deccan plateau of [[India]], especially in the states of [[Maharashtra]] and {{Wiki|Karnataka}}. He is the most popular family [[deity]] in [[Maharashtra]].
 
*    Khandoba, a [[form]] of [[Shiva]], mainly in the Deccan plateau of [[India]], especially in the states of [[Maharashtra]] and {{Wiki|Karnataka}}. He is the most popular family [[deity]] in [[Maharashtra]].
 
*    Adi [[Shankara]], the 8th-century [[philosopher]] of non-dualist [[Vedanta]] "{{Wiki|Advaita Vedanta}}", was named "[[Shankara]]" after [[Lord]] [[Shiva]] and is considered by some to have been an [[incarnation]] of [[Shiva]].  
 
*    Adi [[Shankara]], the 8th-century [[philosopher]] of non-dualist [[Vedanta]] "{{Wiki|Advaita Vedanta}}", was named "[[Shankara]]" after [[Lord]] [[Shiva]] and is considered by some to have been an [[incarnation]] of [[Shiva]].  
*    In the Hanuman Chalisa, Hanuman is identified as the eleventh [[avatar]] of [[Shiva]] and this [[belief]] is [[universal]]. Mahabhagvata {{Wiki|Purana}}, {{Wiki|Skanda Purana}}. However, Hanuman [[knows]] as “Rudraavtaar” “[[Rudra]]” is [[name]] of “[[Shiva]]”  [[people]] believe that Hanuman is the [[incarnation]] of [[Shiva]]. The vanar(ancestors of humans)-god Hanuman who helped {{Wiki|Rama}} – the [[Vishnu]] [[avatar]] is considered by some to be the eleventh [[avatar]] of [[Rudra]] ([[Shiva]]).  
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*    In the [[Hanuman]] Chalisa, [[Hanuman]] is identified as the eleventh [[avatar]] of [[Shiva]] and this [[belief]] is [[universal]]. Mahabhagvata {{Wiki|Purana}}, {{Wiki|Skanda Purana}}. However, [[Hanuman]] [[knows]] as “Rudraavtaar” “[[Rudra]]” is [[name]] of “[[Shiva]]”  [[people]] believe that [[Hanuman]] is the [[incarnation]] of [[Shiva]]. The vanar(ancestors of humans)-god [[Hanuman]] who helped {{Wiki|Rama}} – the [[Vishnu]] [[avatar]] is considered by some to be the eleventh [[avatar]] of [[Rudra]] ([[Shiva]]).  
*    In Dasam Granth, [[Guru]] Gobind Singh have mentioned two avtars of [[Rudra]]: Dattatreya Avtar and Parasnath Avtar.  
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*    In {{Wiki|Dasam Granth}}, [[Guru]] Gobind Singh have mentioned two avtars of [[Rudra]]: {{Wiki|Dattatreya}} Avtar and Parasnath Avtar.  
*    Harihara is the [[name]] of a combined [[deity]] [[form]] of both [[Vishnu]] ([[Hari]]) and [[Shiva]] (Hara) from the [[Hindu]] [[tradition]]. Also known as Shankaranarayana ("[[Shankara]]" is [[Shiva]], and "[[Narayana]]" is [[Vishnu]]), Harihara is thus worshipped by both Vaishnavites and Shaivities as a [[form]] of the [[Supreme]] [[God]], as well as {{Wiki|being}} a figure of {{Wiki|worship}} for other [[Hindu]] [[traditions]] in {{Wiki|general}}. Harihara is also sometimes used as a [[philosophical]] term to denote the unity of [[Vishnu]] and [[Shiva]] as different aspects of the same [[Supreme]] [[God]]. The exact {{Wiki|nature}} of both [[Vishnu]] and [[Shiva]] (from their associated stories in {{Wiki|Vedic}} and {{Wiki|Puranic}} [[scriptures]]), and their position of [[difference]] or unity (or both), is a [[subject]] of some [[debate]] amongst the different [[philosophical]] schools.
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*    Harihara is the [[name]] of a combined [[deity]] [[form]] of both [[Vishnu]] ([[Hari]]) and [[Shiva]] ([[Hara]]) from the [[Hindu]] [[tradition]]. Also known as Shankaranarayana ("[[Shankara]]" is [[Shiva]], and "[[Narayana]]" is [[Vishnu]]), Harihara is thus worshipped by both {{Wiki|Vaishnavites}} and Shaivities as a [[form]] of the [[Supreme]] [[God]], as well as {{Wiki|being}} a figure of {{Wiki|worship}} for other [[Hindu]] [[traditions]] in {{Wiki|general}}. Harihara is also sometimes used as a [[philosophical]] term to denote the {{Wiki|unity}} of [[Vishnu]] and [[Shiva]] as different aspects of the same [[Supreme]] [[God]]. The exact {{Wiki|nature}} of both [[Vishnu]] and [[Shiva]] (from their associated stories in {{Wiki|Vedic}} and {{Wiki|Puranic}} [[scriptures]]), and their position of [[difference]] or {{Wiki|unity}} (or both), is a [[subject]] of some [[debate]] amongst the different [[philosophical]] schools.
  
 
== Relationship to [[Vishnu]] ==
 
== Relationship to [[Vishnu]] ==
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During the {{Wiki|Vedic}} period, both [[Vishnu]] and [[Shiva]] (as identified with [[Rudra]]) played relatively minor roles, but by the [[time]] of the [[Brahmanas]] (c. 1000 - 700 BC), both were gaining ascendance.  By the {{Wiki|Puranic}} period, both [[deities]] had major sects that competed with one another for {{Wiki|devotees}}.  Many stories developed showing different types of relationships between these two important [[deities]].
 
During the {{Wiki|Vedic}} period, both [[Vishnu]] and [[Shiva]] (as identified with [[Rudra]]) played relatively minor roles, but by the [[time]] of the [[Brahmanas]] (c. 1000 - 700 BC), both were gaining ascendance.  By the {{Wiki|Puranic}} period, both [[deities]] had major sects that competed with one another for {{Wiki|devotees}}.  Many stories developed showing different types of relationships between these two important [[deities]].
  
{{Wiki|Sectarian}} groups each presented their own preferred [[deity]] as [[supreme]]. [[Vishnu]] in his [[myths]] "becomes" [[Shiva]]. The {{Wiki|Vishnu Purana}} (4th century CE) shows [[Vishnu]] [[awakening]] and becoming both [[Brahmā]] to create the [[world]] and [[Shiva]] to destroy it.  [[Shiva]] also is viewed as a [[manifestation]] of [[Vishnu]] in the {{Wiki|Bhagavata Purana}}.  In {{Wiki|Shaivite}} [[myths]], on the other hand, [[Shiva]] comes to the fore and acts independently and alone to create, preserve, destroy, hide, and to bless (five works).  In one {{Wiki|Shaivite}} [[myth]] of the origin of the lingam, both [[Vishnu]] and [[Brahmā]] are revealed as [[emanations]] from Shiva's [[manifestation]] as a towering pillar of flame.  The Śatarudrīya, a {{Wiki|Shaivite}} hymn, says that [[Shiva]] is "of the [[form]] of [[Vishnu]]". Differences in viewpoints between the two sects are apparent in the story of Śarabha (also spelled "Sharabha"), the [[name]] of Shiva's [[incarnation]] in the composite [[form]] of man, {{Wiki|bird}}, and beast. [[Shiva]] assumed that unusual [[form]] of Sarabheshwara to chastise [[Vishnu]], who in his hybrid [[form]] as [[Narasimha]], the man-lion, killed Hiranyakashipu.  However, {{Wiki|Vaishnava}} followers including Dvaita [[scholars]], such as Vijayindra Tirtha (1539–95) dispute this [[view]] of [[Narasimha]] based on their reading of Sattvika {{Wiki|Puranas}} and [[Śruti]] texts.  
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{{Wiki|Sectarian}} groups each presented their own preferred [[deity]] as [[supreme]]. [[Vishnu]] in his [[myths]] "becomes" [[Shiva]]. The {{Wiki|Vishnu Purana}} (4th century CE) shows [[Vishnu]] [[awakening]] and becoming both [[Brahmā]] to create the [[world]] and [[Shiva]] to destroy it.  [[Shiva]] also is viewed as a [[manifestation]] of [[Vishnu]] in the {{Wiki|Bhagavata Purana}}.  In {{Wiki|Shaivite}} [[myths]], on the other hand, [[Shiva]] comes to the fore and acts {{Wiki|independently}} and alone to create, preserve, destroy, hide, and to bless (five works).  In one {{Wiki|Shaivite}} [[myth]] of the origin of the [[lingam]], both [[Vishnu]] and [[Brahmā]] are revealed as [[emanations]] from [[Wikipedia:Shiva|Shiva's]] [[manifestation]] as a towering pillar of flame.  The Śatarudrīya, a {{Wiki|Shaivite}} hymn, says that [[Shiva]] is "of the [[form]] of [[Vishnu]]". Differences in viewpoints between the two sects are apparent in the story of Śarabha (also spelled "[[Sharabha]]"), the [[name]] of [[Wikipedia:Shiva|Shiva's]] [[incarnation]] in the composite [[form]] of man, {{Wiki|bird}}, and beast. [[Shiva]] assumed that unusual [[form]] of Sarabheshwara to chastise [[Vishnu]], who in his hybrid [[form]] as [[Narasimha]], the man-lion, killed Hiranyakashipu.  However, {{Wiki|Vaishnava}} followers including {{Wiki|Dvaita}} [[scholars]], such as Vijayindra Tirtha (1539–95) dispute this [[view]] of [[Narasimha]] based on their reading of [[Sattvika]] {{Wiki|Puranas}} and [[Śruti]] texts.  
  
{{Wiki|Syncretic}} forces produced stories in which the two [[deities]] were shown in cooperative relationships and combined [[forms]]. Harihara is the [[name]] of a combined [[deity]] [[form]] of both [[Vishnu]] ([[Hari]]) and [[Shiva]] (Hara).  This dual [[form]], which is also called Harirudra, is mentioned in the {{Wiki|Mahabharata}}.  An example of a collaboration story is one given to explain Shiva's [[epithet]] Mahābaleśvara, "[[lord]] of great strength" ([[Maha]] = "great", [[Bala]] = "strength", [[Īśvara]] = "[[lord]]"). This [[name]] refers to a story in which Rāvaṇa was given a [[linga]] as a boon by [[Shiva]] on the [[condition]] that he carry it always. During his travels, he stopped near the present Gokarna, [[India]] in {{Wiki|Karnataka}} to {{Wiki|purify}} himself and asked [[Ganesha]], a son of {{Wiki|Parvathi}} in the guise of a young [[Brahmin]], to hold the [[linga]] for him, but after some [[time]], [[Ganesha]] put it down on the ground and vanished. When {{Wiki|Ravana}} returned, he could not move the [[linga]], and it is said to remain there ever since.  
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{{Wiki|Syncretic}} forces produced stories in which the two [[deities]] were shown in cooperative relationships and combined [[forms]]. Harihara is the [[name]] of a combined [[deity]] [[form]] of both [[Vishnu]] ([[Hari]]) and [[Shiva]] ([[Hara]]).  This dual [[form]], which is also called Harirudra, is mentioned in the {{Wiki|Mahabharata}}.  An example of a collaboration story is one given to explain [[Wikipedia:Shiva|Shiva's]] [[epithet]] Mahābaleśvara, "[[lord]] of [[great strength]]" ([[Maha]] = "great", [[Bala]] = "strength", [[Īśvara]] = "[[lord]]"). This [[name]] refers to a story in which {{Wiki|Rāvaṇa}} was given a [[linga]] as a boon by [[Shiva]] on the [[condition]] that he carry it always. During his travels, he stopped near the {{Wiki|present}} [[Wikipedia:Gokarna, India,|Gokarna]], [[India]] in {{Wiki|Karnataka}} to {{Wiki|purify}} himself and asked [[Ganesha]], a son of {{Wiki|Parvathi}} in the guise of a young [[Brahmin]], to hold the [[linga]] for him, but after some [[time]], [[Ganesha]] put it down on the ground and vanished. When {{Wiki|Ravana}} returned, he could not move the [[linga]], and it is said to remain there ever since.  
  
As one story goes, [[Shiva]] is enticed by the [[beauty]] and charm of Mohini, Vishnu's {{Wiki|female}} [[avatar]], and procreates with her. As a result of this union, Shasta - identified with regional [[deities]] Ayyappa and Ayyanar - is born.  
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As one story goes, [[Shiva]] is enticed by the [[beauty]] and charm of Mohini, [[Vishnu's]] {{Wiki|female}} [[avatar]], and procreates with her. As a result of this union, Shasta - identified with regional [[deities]] Ayyappa and Ayyanar - is born.  
  
== Festivals ==
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== {{Wiki|Festivals}} ==
 
=== [[Maha]] Shivaratri ===
 
=== [[Maha]] Shivaratri ===
  
[[Maha]] Shivratri is a {{Wiki|festival}} celebrated every year on the 13th night or the 14th day of the [[new moon]] in the {{Wiki|Krishna}} [[Paksha]] of the month of Maagha or Phalguna in the [[Hindu]] [[calendar]]. This {{Wiki|festival}} is of utmost importance to the {{Wiki|devotees}} of [[Lord]] [[Shiva]].
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[[Maha]] Shivratri is a {{Wiki|festival}} celebrated every year on the 13th night or the 14th day of the [[new moon]] in the {{Wiki|Krishna}} [[Paksha]] of the month of Maagha or [[Phalguna]] in the [[Hindu]] [[calendar]]. This {{Wiki|festival}} is of utmost importance to the {{Wiki|devotees}} of [[Lord]] [[Shiva]].
  
Mahashivaratri marks the night when [[Lord]] [[Shiva]] performed the 'Tandava' and it is also believed that [[Lord]] [[Shiva]] was married to {{Wiki|Parvati}}.
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Mahashivaratri marks the night when [[Lord]] [[Shiva]] performed the 'Tandava' and it is also believed that [[Lord]] [[Shiva]] was [[married]] to {{Wiki|Parvati}}.
  
 
On this day the {{Wiki|devotees}} observe fast and offer [[fruits]], [[flowers]] and Bael leaves to [[Shiva]] [[Linga]].  
 
On this day the {{Wiki|devotees}} observe fast and offer [[fruits]], [[flowers]] and Bael leaves to [[Shiva]] [[Linga]].  
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=== Karthikai Deepam ===
 
=== Karthikai Deepam ===
  
Karthikai Deepam (Tamil: கார்த்திகை தீபம்) or Karthikai vilakkidu (Tamil: கார்த்திகைத் விளக்கீடு)  also known as Karthika Deepam (కార్తీక దీపం) in Telugu ] is a [[Hindu]] specially [[Hindu]] [[Tamils]] and [[Hindu]] Telugu {{Wiki|festival}}. The {{Wiki|festival}} is observed in every home and every [[temple]], and falls in the month of Kārttikai (mid-November to mid-December) as per Tamil [[calendar]]. This occurs on the day when the [[moon]] is in conjunction with the [[constellation]] Karthigai ({{Wiki|Pleiades}}) and purnimai. This [[constellation]] appears as a group of six stars in the firmament in the [[shape]] of a pendant from the {{Wiki|ear}}.
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Karthikai Deepam ({{Wiki|Tamil}}: கார்த்திகை தீபம்) or Karthikai vilakkidu ({{Wiki|Tamil}}: கார்த்திகைத் விளக்கீடு)  also known as Karthika Deepam (కార్తీక దీపం) in {{Wiki|Telugu}} ] is a [[Hindu]] specially [[Hindu]] [[Tamils]] and [[Hindu]] {{Wiki|Telugu}} {{Wiki|festival}}. The {{Wiki|festival}} is observed in every home and every [[temple]], and falls in the month of Kārttikai (mid-November to mid-December) as per {{Wiki|Tamil}} [[calendar]]. This occurs on the day when the [[moon]] is in {{Wiki|conjunction}} with the [[constellation]] Karthigai ({{Wiki|Pleiades}}) and purnimai. This [[constellation]] appears as a group of six {{Wiki|stars}} in the {{Wiki|firmament}} in the [[shape]] of a pendant from the {{Wiki|ear}}.
  
Many legends and lyrical [[poetry]] have grown round this star. The six stars are considered in {{Wiki|Indian mythology}} as the six [[celestial]] [[nymphs]] who reared the six babies in the saravana tank which later were joined together to [[form]] the six faced Muruga. He is therefore called Karthikeya, the one brought up by the Karthigai [[nymphs]]. Houses and streets are lit up with rows of oil lamps (Deepam) in the evening of the {{Wiki|festival}} day.
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Many {{Wiki|legends}} and lyrical [[poetry]] have grown round this {{Wiki|star}}. The six {{Wiki|stars}} are considered in {{Wiki|Indian mythology}} as the six [[celestial]] [[nymphs]] who reared the six babies in the saravana tank which later were joined together to [[form]] the six faced Muruga. He is therefore called Karthikeya, the one brought up by the Karthigai [[nymphs]]. Houses and streets are lit up with rows of oil lamps (Deepam) in the evening of the {{Wiki|festival}} day.
  
 
=== Teej ===
 
=== Teej ===
  
Teej (तीज) is a [[fasting]] {{Wiki|festival}} for [[Hindu]] women. It is mainly celebrated in Rajasthan, {{Wiki|Bihar}} and Haryana in ([[India]]) and in [[Nepal]] and is considered as the most standard [[form]] of teej. It is also celebrated in some states of [[India]] but has almost vanished nowadays.
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Teej (तीज) is a [[fasting]] {{Wiki|festival}} for [[Hindu]] women. It is mainly celebrated in {{Wiki|Rajasthan}}, {{Wiki|Bihar}} and Haryana in ([[India]]) and in [[Nepal]] and is considered as the most standard [[form]] of teej. It is also celebrated in some states of [[India]] but has almost vanished nowadays.
  
It takes place on the third day of Shukla [[Paksha]] (bright [[moon]] fortnight) of the Shraavana or Saawan month of [[Hindu]] [[calendar]] that normally falls from late July to early September. Dedicated to the [[Goddess]] {{Wiki|Parvati}}, commemorating her union with [[Lord]] [[Shiva]], the {{Wiki|festival}} is celebrated for marital [[bliss]], well-being of spouse and children and [[purification]] of own [[body]] and [[soul]]. The {{Wiki|festival}} is a three-day-long celebration that combines sumptuous feasts as well as rigid [[fasting]].  
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It takes place on the third day of [[Shukla]] [[Paksha]] (bright [[moon]] fortnight) of the Shraavana or Saawan month of [[Hindu]] [[calendar]] that normally falls from late July to early September. Dedicated to the [[Goddess]] {{Wiki|Parvati}}, commemorating her union with [[Lord]] [[Shiva]], the {{Wiki|festival}} is celebrated for marital [[bliss]], well-being of spouse and children and [[purification]] of own [[body]] and [[soul]]. The {{Wiki|festival}} is a three-day-long celebration that combines sumptuous feasts as well as rigid [[fasting]].  
  
Falling on the [[Hindu]] month of Bhadrapada or Bhado (August/September), it also celebrates the arrival of monsoon after a season of oppressive {{Wiki|heat}}. "Teej" is a small red insect that comes out of the soil during rains.
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Falling on the [[Hindu]] month of [[Bhadrapada]] or Bhado (August/September), it also celebrates the arrival of {{Wiki|monsoon}} after a season of oppressive {{Wiki|heat}}. "Teej" is a small red insect that comes out of the soil during rains.
  
 
== [[Temples]] ==
 
== [[Temples]] ==
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! style="background:#ffc569;"| Location
 
! style="background:#ffc569;"| Location
 
|-
 
|-
| Somnath || [[File:Somanatha view-II.JPG|100px]] || Prabhas {{Wiki|Patan}}, near Veraval, Gujarat
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| Somnath || [[File:Somanatha view-II.JPG|100px]] || Prabhas {{Wiki|Patan}}, near Veraval, {{Wiki|Gujarat}}
 
|-
 
|-
 
| Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga|Mahakaleshwar || [[File:Mahakal Temple Ujjain.JPG|100px]] || [[Ujjain]], [[Madhya]] Pradesh
 
| Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga|Mahakaleshwar || [[File:Mahakal Temple Ujjain.JPG|100px]] || [[Ujjain]], [[Madhya]] Pradesh
Line 271: Line 271:
 
| Omkareshwar || [[File:Omkareshwar.JPG|100px]] || near Indore, [[Madhya]] Pradesh
 
| Omkareshwar || [[File:Omkareshwar.JPG|100px]] || near Indore, [[Madhya]] Pradesh
 
|-
 
|-
| Kedarnath Temple|Kedarnath || [[File:Kedarnath Temple.jpg|100px]] || Kedarnath, Uttarakhand
+
| Kedarnath Temple|Kedarnath || [[File:Kedarnath Temple.jpg|100px]] || Kedarnath, [[Uttarakhand]]
 
|-
 
|-
 
| Bhimashankar Temple|Bhimashankar || [[File:Bhimashankar.jpg|100px]] || Disputed:
 
| Bhimashankar Temple|Bhimashankar || [[File:Bhimashankar.jpg|100px]] || Disputed:
  
 
* Bhimashankar [[Temple]], near Pune, [[Maharashtra]] (pictured)
 
* Bhimashankar [[Temple]], near Pune, [[Maharashtra]] (pictured)
* Bheem Shankar (Moteshwar Mahadev), Kashipur, Uttarakhand|Kashipur, Uttarakhand
+
* Bheem Shankar (Moteshwar Mahadev), [[Kashipur]], Uttarakhand|Kashipur, [[Uttarakhand]]
* Bhimshankar [[temple]] near Guwahati, {{Wiki|Assam}}
+
* Bhimshankar [[temple]] near [[Guwahati]], {{Wiki|Assam}}
* Bhimasankar [[temple]] near Gunupur, Odisha
+
* Bhimasankar [[temple]] near Gunupur, [[Odisha]]
 
|-
 
|-
 
| [[Kashi]] Vishwanath Temple|Kashi Vishwanath ||  || [[Varanasi]], {{Wiki|Uttar Pradesh}}
 
| [[Kashi]] Vishwanath Temple|Kashi Vishwanath ||  || [[Varanasi]], {{Wiki|Uttar Pradesh}}
Line 284: Line 284:
 
| Trimbakeshwar [[Shiva]] Temple|Trimbakeshwar || [[File:Trimbakeshwar Shiva Temple, Trimbak, Nashik district.jpg|100px]] || Trimbak, near {{Wiki|Nasik}}, [[Maharashtra]]
 
| Trimbakeshwar [[Shiva]] Temple|Trimbakeshwar || [[File:Trimbakeshwar Shiva Temple, Trimbak, Nashik district.jpg|100px]] || Trimbak, near {{Wiki|Nasik}}, [[Maharashtra]]
 
|-
 
|-
| Ramanathaswamy [[Temple]], Rameswaram|Ramanathaswamy || [[File:Ramanathar-temple.jpg|100px]] || Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu|Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu
+
| Ramanathaswamy [[Temple]], Rameswaram|Ramanathaswamy || [[File:Ramanathar-temple.jpg|100px]] || Rameswaram, {{Wiki|Tamil}} Nadu|Rameswaram, {{Wiki|Tamil}} Nadu
 
|-
 
|-
 
| Grishneshwar || [[File:Grishneshwar Temple.jpg|100px]] || near Ellora, [[Maharashtra]]
 
| Grishneshwar || [[File:Grishneshwar Temple.jpg|100px]] || near Ellora, [[Maharashtra]]
Line 296: Line 296:
 
| Nageshvara Jyotirlinga|Nageshwar || [[File:Jageshwar main.JPG|100px]] || Disputed:
 
| Nageshvara Jyotirlinga|Nageshwar || [[File:Jageshwar main.JPG|100px]] || Disputed:
  
* Jageshwar [[temple]] near Almora, Uttarakhand (pictured)
+
* Jageshwar [[temple]] near {{Wiki|Almora}}, [[Uttarakhand]] (pictured)
* Nageshwar [[Temple]], Dwarka, Dwarka, Gujarat
+
* Nageshwar [[Temple]], Dwarka, Dwarka, {{Wiki|Gujarat}}
 
* Aundha Nagnath Temple|Aundha Nagnath, [[Maharashtra]]
 
* Aundha Nagnath Temple|Aundha Nagnath, [[Maharashtra]]
 
|-
 
|-
| Mallikarjuna Swamy || [[File:Srisailam-temple-entrance.jpg|100px]] || Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh
+
| Mallikarjuna Swamy || [[File:Srisailam-temple-entrance.jpg|100px]] || Srisailam, [[Andhra Pradesh]]
 
|}
 
|}
  
Line 315: Line 315:
 
! style="background:#ffc569;"| State
 
! style="background:#ffc569;"| State
 
|-
 
|-
| Jambhukeswar || [[Water]] || Jambukeswarar [[Temple]], Thiruvanaikaval || Trichy || Tamil Nadu
+
| Jambhukeswar || [[Water]] || Jambukeswarar [[Temple]], Thiruvanaikaval || Trichy || {{Wiki|Tamil}} Nadu
 
|-
 
|-
| Arunachaleswar || [[Fire]] || Annamalaiyar [[Temple]] || Thiruvannamalai || Tamil Nadu
+
| Arunachaleswar || [[Fire]] || Annamalaiyar [[Temple]] || Thiruvannamalai || {{Wiki|Tamil}} Nadu
 
|-
 
|-
| Kalahastheeswara || [[Air]] || Srikalahasti [[temple]] || Srikalahasti || Andhra Pradesh
+
| Kalahastheeswara || [[Air]] || Srikalahasti [[temple]] || Srikalahasti || [[Andhra Pradesh]]
 
|-
 
|-
| Vanmikanathar || [[Earth]] || Thyagaraja [[Temple]] || Thiruvarur || Tamil Nadu
+
| Vanmikanathar || [[Earth]] || Thyagaraja [[Temple]] || Thiruvarur || {{Wiki|Tamil}} Nadu
 
|-
 
|-
| Ekambareswar || [[Earth]] || Ekambareswarar [[Temple]] || Kanchipuram || Tamil Nadu
+
| Ekambareswar || [[Earth]] || Ekambareswarar [[Temple]] || [[Kanchipuram]] || {{Wiki|Tamil}} Nadu
 
|-
 
|-
| Nataraja || Sky || Natarajar [[Temple]] || Chidambaram || Tamil Nadu
+
| [[Nataraja]] || Sky || Natarajar [[Temple]] || Chidambaram || {{Wiki|Tamil}} Nadu
 
|}
 
|}
  
 
=== Panchaaraama [[temples]] ===
 
=== Panchaaraama [[temples]] ===
  
The Pancharama [[Kshetras]] (or the Pancharamas) are five {{Wiki|ancient}} {{Wiki|Hindu temples}} of [[Lord]] [[Shiva]] situated in Andhra Pradesh. The Sivalingas at these [[temples]] are made from a single Sivalinga. As per the legend, this Sivalinga was owned by the [[demon]] [[king]] Tarakasura. No one could win over him due to the [[power]] of this Sivalinga. Finally, [[Lord]] Kumaraswamy, the son of [[Lord]] [[Shiva]] broke the Sivalinga into five pieces and killed Tarakasura. The five pieces of Sivalinga fell at five different places on [[earth]] namely,
+
The Pancharama [[Kshetras]] (or the Pancharamas) are five {{Wiki|ancient}} {{Wiki|Hindu temples}} of [[Lord]] [[Shiva]] situated in [[Andhra Pradesh]]. The Sivalingas at these [[temples]] are made from a single Sivalinga. As per the legend, this Sivalinga was owned by the [[demon]] [[king]] Tarakasura. No one could win over him due to the [[power]] of this Sivalinga. Finally, [[Lord]] Kumaraswamy, the son of [[Lord]] [[Shiva]] broke the Sivalinga into five pieces and killed Tarakasura. The five pieces of Sivalinga fell at five different places on [[earth]] namely,
  
 
[[File:Draksharama temple - Main entrance.jpg|thumb|right|240px|Bhimesvara Swamy Temple in Draksharama, one of the Pancharama Kshetras]]
 
[[File:Draksharama temple - Main entrance.jpg|thumb|right|240px|Bhimesvara Swamy Temple in Draksharama, one of the Pancharama Kshetras]]
Line 343: Line 343:
 
! style="background:#ffc569;"| State
 
! style="background:#ffc569;"| State
 
|-
 
|-
| Amararama || Amaralingeswara Swamy || [[Bala]] Chamundika Ammavaru || Amaravathi || Andhra Pradesh
+
| Amararama || Amaralingeswara Swamy || [[Bala]] Chamundika Ammavaru || [[Amaravathi]] || [[Andhra Pradesh]]
 
|-
 
|-
| Draksharama || Bhimesvara Swamy || Manikyamba Ammavaru || Draksharama || Andhra Pradesh
+
| Draksharama || Bhimesvara Swamy || Manikyamba Ammavaru || Draksharama || [[Andhra Pradesh]]
 
|-
 
|-
| Somarama || Someswara Swamy || {{Wiki|Sri}} Rajarajeswari Ammavaru || Bhimavaram || Andhra Pradesh
+
| Somarama || Someswara Swamy || {{Wiki|Sri}} Rajarajeswari Ammavaru || Bhimavaram || [[Andhra Pradesh]]
 
|-
 
|-
| Ksheerarama || Ksheera Ramalingeswara Swamy || {{Wiki|Parvati}} Ammavaru || Palakol || Andhra Pradesh
+
| Ksheerarama || Ksheera Ramalingeswara Swamy || {{Wiki|Parvati}} Ammavaru || Palakol || [[Andhra Pradesh]]
 
|-
 
|-
| Bhimarama || [[Kumara]] Bhimeswara Swamy || [[Bala]] Tripurasundari Ammavaru || Samalkota || Andhra Pradesh
+
| Bhimarama || [[Kumara]] Bhimeswara Swamy || [[Bala]] Tripurasundari Ammavaru || Samalkota || [[Andhra Pradesh]]
 
|}
 
|}
  
Line 365: Line 365:
 
! style="background:#ffc569;"| State
 
! style="background:#ffc569;"| State
 
|-
 
|-
| Pon ('''{{Wiki|Gold}}''') Sabha || Natarajar [[Temple]] || Chidambaram || Tamil Nadu
+
| Pon ('''{{Wiki|Gold}}''') Sabha || Natarajar [[Temple]] || Chidambaram || {{Wiki|Tamil}} Nadu
 
|-
 
|-
| Velli ('''Silver''') Sabha || Meenakshi Sundareswarar [[Temple]] || Madurai || Tamil Nadu
+
| Velli ('''{{Wiki|Silver}}''') Sabha || Meenakshi Sundareswarar [[Temple]] || Madurai || {{Wiki|Tamil}} Nadu
 
|-
 
|-
| Tamira ('''Copper''') Sabha || Nellaiappar [[Temple]] || Tirunelveli || Tamil Nadu
+
| Tamira ('''{{Wiki|Copper}}''') Sabha || Nellaiappar [[Temple]] || Tirunelveli || {{Wiki|Tamil}} Nadu
 
|-
 
|-
| Rathna ('''[[Gem]]''') Sabha || Thiruvalankadu Vadaaranyeswarar [[Temple]] || Thiruvalangadu <br>near Arakkonam || Tamil Nadu
+
| Rathna ('''[[Gem]]''') Sabha || Thiruvalankadu Vadaaranyeswarar [[Temple]] || Thiruvalangadu <br>near Arakkonam || {{Wiki|Tamil}} Nadu
 
|-
 
|-
| Chitira ('''Picture''') Sabha || Kutraleeswar [[Temple]] || Coutrallam || Tamil Nadu
+
| Chitira ('''Picture''') Sabha || Kutraleeswar [[Temple]] || Coutrallam || {{Wiki|Tamil}} Nadu
 
|}
 
|}
  
Line 384: Line 384:
 
* Arthanareeswara [[Temple]], Tiruchengode, Namakkal district
 
* Arthanareeswara [[Temple]], Tiruchengode, Namakkal district
 
* {{Wiki|Sri}} Adhikumbeswarar [[Temple]], Kumbakonam, Tanjore district
 
* {{Wiki|Sri}} Adhikumbeswarar [[Temple]], Kumbakonam, Tanjore district
; Uttarakhand
+
; [[Uttarakhand]]
 
* Daksheswara Mahadev [[Temple]], Kankhal
 
* Daksheswara Mahadev [[Temple]], Kankhal
 
* Rudreshwar Mahadev [[Temple]]
 
* Rudreshwar Mahadev [[Temple]]
 
* Baleshwar [[Temple]], Champawat
 
* Baleshwar [[Temple]], Champawat
* Baijnath, Uttarakhand
+
* Baijnath, [[Uttarakhand]]
* Jageshwar, Almora
+
* Jageshwar, {{Wiki|Almora}}
 
* Gopinath Mandir, Chamoli Gopeshwar
 
* Gopinath Mandir, Chamoli Gopeshwar
 
* Neelkanth Mahadev [[Temple]], near {{Wiki|Rishikesh}}
 
* Neelkanth Mahadev [[Temple]], near {{Wiki|Rishikesh}}
Line 398: Line 398:
 
** Madhyamaheshwar
 
** Madhyamaheshwar
 
** Kalpeshwar
 
** Kalpeshwar
; Gujarat
+
; {{Wiki|Gujarat}}
 
* Somnath, the first of the 12 Jyotirlinga. Junagadh district
 
* Somnath, the first of the 12 Jyotirlinga. Junagadh district
 
* Nageshvara Jyotirlinga, Dwarka, Jamnagar district
 
* Nageshvara Jyotirlinga, Dwarka, Jamnagar district
Line 407: Line 407:
 
* Dholeshwar, Gandhinagar outskirts
 
* Dholeshwar, Gandhinagar outskirts
 
* Galteshwar, Dakor, Kheda district
 
* Galteshwar, Dakor, Kheda district
* Shoolpaneshwar, Narmada district
+
* Shoolpaneshwar, [[Narmada]] district
* Angareshwar, Narmada Banks, nearby Sinor, Vadodara district
+
* Angareshwar, [[Narmada]] Banks, nearby Sinor, Vadodara district
* Nareshwar, Narmada Banks, Vadodara district
+
* Nareshwar, [[Narmada]] Banks, Vadodara district
* Shuklatirth, Narmada Banks, Bharuch district
+
* Shuklatirth, [[Narmada]] Banks, Bharuch district
 
* Shukleshwar Mahadev, Vyara
 
* Shukleshwar Mahadev, Vyara
 
* Kedareshwar, Bardoli, Surat district
 
* Kedareshwar, Bardoli, Surat district
Line 422: Line 422:
 
; [[Maharashtra]]
 
; [[Maharashtra]]
 
* [[Kailash]] [[Temple]], Ellora
 
* [[Kailash]] [[Temple]], Ellora
* Elephanta [[Caves]], Mumbai
+
* Elephanta [[Caves]], {{Wiki|Mumbai}}
; Odisha
+
; [[Odisha]]
* The Leaning [[Temple]] of Huma, Sambalpur
+
* The Leaning [[Temple]] of Huma, [[Sambalpur]]
* Lingaraj [[Temple]], Bhubaneswar
+
* Lingaraj [[Temple]], [[Bhubaneswar]]
 
* Kapilash [[Temple]], Dhenkanal District
 
* Kapilash [[Temple]], Dhenkanal District
* Mukteswar [[Temple]], Bhubaneswar
+
* Mukteswar [[Temple]], [[Bhubaneswar]]
* Parsurameswar [[Temple]], Bhubaneswar
+
* Parsurameswar [[Temple]], [[Bhubaneswar]]
 
* Akhandalamani [[Temple]], Bhadrak
 
* Akhandalamani [[Temple]], Bhadrak
 
* Chandaneswar, Balasore
 
* Chandaneswar, Balasore
Line 435: Line 435:
 
; [[Madhya]] Pradesh
 
; [[Madhya]] Pradesh
 
* Pashupatinath [[temple]], Mandsaur—Only Pashupatinath ling [[temple]] having 8 faces ling statue.
 
* Pashupatinath [[temple]], Mandsaur—Only Pashupatinath ling [[temple]] having 8 faces ling statue.
; Andhra Pradesh
+
; [[Andhra Pradesh]]
 
* Vemulawada, Karimnagar district
 
* Vemulawada, Karimnagar district
 
* [[Kapila]] Theertham, Chittoor district
 
* [[Kapila]] Theertham, Chittoor district
Line 452: Line 452:
 
* Murudeshwara, [[Uttara]] [[Kannada]] district—World's second tallest [[Shiva]] statue
 
* Murudeshwara, [[Uttara]] [[Kannada]] district—World's second tallest [[Shiva]] statue
 
* Dharmasthala [[Manjunatha]] [[Temple]], Dakshina [[Kannada]]
 
* Dharmasthala [[Manjunatha]] [[Temple]], Dakshina [[Kannada]]
* Srikanteshwara [[Temple]], Nanjangud, Mysore District
+
* Srikanteshwara [[Temple]], Nanjangud, {{Wiki|Mysore}} District
 
* Kotilingeshwara, Kammasandra, Kolar District
 
* Kotilingeshwara, Kammasandra, Kolar District
* Gokarna, Kumta, [[Uttara]] [[Kannada]] District
+
* [[Wikipedia:Gokarna, India,|Gokarna]], Kumta, [[Uttara]] [[Kannada]] District
 
; [[Sikkim]]
 
; [[Sikkim]]
 
* Kirateshwar Mahadev [[Temple]], Legship, {{Wiki|West}} [[Sikkim]]
 
* Kirateshwar Mahadev [[Temple]], Legship, {{Wiki|West}} [[Sikkim]]
 
; {{Wiki|Assam}}
 
; {{Wiki|Assam}}
* Sukreswar [[Temple]], Guwahati
+
* Sukreswar [[Temple]], [[Guwahati]]
 
* Sivadol, Sivasagar
 
* Sivadol, Sivasagar
 
; {{Wiki|West}} {{Wiki|Bengal}}
 
; {{Wiki|West}} {{Wiki|Bengal}}
 
* Tarakeswar
 
* Tarakeswar
; Jammu and [[Kashmir]]
+
; [[Jammu]] and [[Kashmir]]
* Amarnath Yatra to the Amarnathji {{Wiki|cave}} in Jammu and [[Kashmir]] is of huge significance.
+
* Amarnath Yatra to the Amarnathji {{Wiki|cave}} in [[Jammu]] and [[Kashmir]] is of huge significance.
  
 
[[Shiva]] [[temples]] are very prominent in Mauritius too. There is a [[standing]] [[shiva]] statue in Mauritius too.
 
[[Shiva]] [[temples]] are very prominent in Mauritius too. There is a [[standing]] [[shiva]] statue in Mauritius too.
Line 471: Line 471:
 
* Pashupatinath [[Temple]] located on the banks of Bagmati [[River]] in the eastern part of {{Wiki|Kathmandu}}, [[Nepal]]
 
* Pashupatinath [[Temple]] located on the banks of Bagmati [[River]] in the eastern part of {{Wiki|Kathmandu}}, [[Nepal]]
 
* Koneswaram [[temple]] located on Swami Rock/Kona-ma-malai, in Trincomalee in the eastern part of [[Sri Lanka]]
 
* Koneswaram [[temple]] located on Swami Rock/Kona-ma-malai, in Trincomalee in the eastern part of [[Sri Lanka]]
* Lake Mansarovar and [[Mount Kailash]] in [[Tibet]], a [[pilgrimage]] site believed to be the [[abode]] of [[Lord]] [[Shiva]]
+
* [[Lake]] Mansarovar and [[Mount Kailash]] in [[Tibet]], a [[pilgrimage]] site believed to be the [[abode]] of [[Lord]] [[Shiva]]
* Gosaikunda Lake located in Rasuwa District, [[Nepal]]
+
* Gosaikunda [[Lake]] located in Rasuwa District, [[Nepal]]
* Doleshwar Mahadev [[temple]] located in Bhaktapur, [[Nepal]]. It is believed to house the {{Wiki|head}} of [[Lord]] [[Shiva]], whose [[body]] lies in the Kedarnath [[Temple]] of [[India]].
+
* Doleshwar Mahadev [[temple]] located in {{Wiki|Bhaktapur}}, [[Nepal]]. It is believed to house the {{Wiki|head}} of [[Lord]] [[Shiva]], whose [[body]] lies in the Kedarnath [[Temple]] of [[India]].
 
* Halesi Mahadev, a [[sacred]] [[pilgrimage]] inside a massive {{Wiki|cave}}, located in Khotang District of [[Nepal]]
 
* Halesi Mahadev, a [[sacred]] [[pilgrimage]] inside a massive {{Wiki|cave}}, located in Khotang District of [[Nepal]]
 
* Kailashnath Mahadev Statue Situated on a mountain near {{Wiki|Kathmandu}}, Nepal.World's tallest [[lord]] [[Shiva]] statue.
 
* Kailashnath Mahadev Statue Situated on a mountain near {{Wiki|Kathmandu}}, Nepal.World's tallest [[lord]] [[Shiva]] statue.
Line 480: Line 480:
 
File:Pashupatinath [[Temple]], Kathmandu.jpg|Pashupatinath [[Temple]] in {{Wiki|Kathmandu}}, [[Nepal]]
 
File:Pashupatinath [[Temple]], Kathmandu.jpg|Pashupatinath [[Temple]] in {{Wiki|Kathmandu}}, [[Nepal]]
 
File:Kailash north.JPG|Mount [[Kailash]] in [[Tibet]], believed to be the [[abode]] of [[Lord]] [[Shiva]]
 
File:Kailash north.JPG|Mount [[Kailash]] in [[Tibet]], believed to be the [[abode]] of [[Lord]] [[Shiva]]
File:Gosainkunda Lake.jpg|Gosaikunda Lake is believed to have formed by the Trishul of [[Lord]] [[Shiva]] after he drank the [[poison]] Halahala from [[Samudra]] manthan and desperately wanted cold [[water]] to quench the overwhelming {{Wiki|heat}} of the [[poison]]
+
File:Gosainkunda Lake.jpg|Gosaikunda [[Lake]] is believed to have formed by the Trishul of [[Lord]] [[Shiva]] after he drank the [[poison]] [[Halahala]] from [[Samudra]] manthan and desperately wanted cold [[water]] to quench the overwhelming {{Wiki|heat}} of the [[poison]]
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
*    Prambanan [[temple]] dedicated to trimurthi which was exactly located 18 km(11 mi) from the city of Yogyakarta on the boundary between {{Wiki|Central}} {{Wiki|Java}} and Yogyakarta provinces located in the country of {{Wiki|Indonesia}}
+
*    [[Prambanan]] [[temple]] dedicated to trimurthi which was exactly located 18 km(11 mi) from the city of Yogyakarta on the boundary between {{Wiki|Central}} {{Wiki|Java}} and Yogyakarta provinces located in the country of {{Wiki|Indonesia}}
  
 
==In popular media==
 
==In popular media==
  
*    Devon Ke Dev...Mahadev a historical and myhtological play telecasted on [[Life]] OK from Sunday to Saturday which portrays the [[life]] of [[Lord]] [[Shiva]] with his wife [[Sati]] and {{Wiki|Parvathi}} also with his sons Ganesh, Karthikeya and his daughter Ashokasundari. It is however debated whether Ashokasundari is {{Wiki|real}} or just a creation of [[imagination]]. The drama is also telecasted in Tamil in Star Vijay and also in [[Malayalam]] in Asianet. It is one of the most successful plays of [[Lord]] [[Shiva]].
+
*    {{Wiki|Devon}} [[Ke]] Dev...Mahadev a historical and myhtological play telecasted on [[Life]] OK from Sunday to Saturday which portrays the [[life]] of [[Lord]] [[Shiva]] with his wife [[Sati]] and {{Wiki|Parvathi}} also with his sons [[Ganesh]], Karthikeya and his daughter Ashokasundari. It is however [[debated]] whether Ashokasundari is {{Wiki|real}} or just a creation of [[imagination]]. The {{Wiki|drama}} is also telecasted in {{Wiki|Tamil}} in Star Vijay and also in [[Malayalam]] in Asianet. It is one of the most successful plays of [[Lord]] [[Shiva]].
  
 
{{W}}
 
{{W}}
 
[[Category:Buddhist Terms]]
 
[[Category:Buddhist Terms]]
 
[[Category:India]]
 
[[Category:India]]

Revision as of 11:21, 23 September 2014

A statue depicting Shiva meditating (Bijapur

Shiva (pron.: /ˈʃɪvə/; "ಶಿವ" Kannada, Tamil: சிவன் sivan,శివుడుTelugu meaning "auspicious one") is a Hindu deity. He is considered the Supreme God within Shaivism, one of the three most influential denominations in Hinduism. In other branches of Hinduism such as in the Smarta tradition, he is regarded as one of the five primary forms of God. He is "the Destroyer" or "the Transformer" among the Trimurti, the Hindu Trinity of the primary aspects of the divine

Shiva is usually worshipped in the aniconic form of lingam. He is described as an omniscient yogi, who lives an ascetic life on Mount Kailash, as well as a householder with a wife Parvati and two sons, Ganesha and Kartikeya. Shiva has many benevolent as well as fearsome forms. He is often depicted as immersed in deep meditation, with his wife and children or as the Cosmic Dancer. In fierce aspects, he is often depicted slaying demons.

In many holy texts and puranas like Mahavishnu, Shiva or Mahadeva is also called Paramatman (Supreme soul). Shaivas often see him as Parabrahma (Supreme Brahman), and is regarded as Bhagwaan by devotees. The Shiva Sahasranama (1000 names of Lord Mahadev) declares Shiva as "Paramatman", the supersoul found everywhere. He is commonly connected to the practice of Yoga.

Etymology and other names

The Sanskrit word Shiva (Devanagari: शिव, śiva ) is an adjective meaning "pure and destroyer". As a proper name it means "The Auspicious One", used as a name for Rudra. In simple English transliteration it is written either as Shiva or Siva. The adjective śiva, meaning "auspicious", is used as an attributive epithet not particularly of Rudra, but of several other Vedic deities. The Sanskrit word śaiva means "relating to the god Shiva", and this term is the Sanskrit name both for one of the principal sects of Hinduism and for a member of that sect. It is used as an adjective to characterize certain beliefs and practices, such as Shaivism. He is the oldest worshipped Lord of India.

Adi Sankara, in his interpretation of the name Shiva, the 27th and 600th name of Vishnu sahasranama, the thousand names of Vishnu interprets Shiva to have multiple meanings: "The Pure One", or "the One who is not affected by three Gunas of Prakrti (Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas)" or "the One who purifies everyone by the very utterance of His name." Swami Chinmayananda, in his translation of Vishnu sahasranama, further elaborates on that verse: Shiva means "the One who is eternally pure" or "the One who can never have any contamination of the imperfection of Rajas and Tamas". Shiva is considered to be the Hindu God who has no Aadi or Anta i.e. no beginning/end.

Shiva's role as the primary deity of Shaivism is reflected in his epithets Mahādeva ("Great God"; mahā = Great + deva = God), Maheśvara ("Great Lord"; mahā = Great + īśvara = Lord), and Parameśvara ("Supreme Lord").

There are at least eight different versions of the Shiva Sahasranama, devotional hymns (stotras) listing many names of Shiva. The version appearing in Book 13 (Anuśāsanaparvan) of the Mahabharata is considered the kernel of this tradition. Shiva also has Dasha-Sahasranamas (10,000 names) that are found in the Mahanyasa. The Shri Rudram Chamakam, also known as the Śatarudriya, is a devotional hymn to Shiva hailing him by many names.

Historical development

Shiva the yogi

Origins

The worship of Shiva is a pan-Hindu tradition, practiced widely across all of India, Nepal and Sri Lanka. Some historians believe that the figure of Shiva as we know him today was built up over time, with the ideas of many regional sects being amalgamated into a single figure. Sailen Debnath traces the origin of Shiva to the pre-Aryan period, and believes that he played an important role in the Indus Valley Civilization. How the persona of Shiva converged as a composite deity is not well documented. Axel Michaels explains the composite nature of Shaivism as follows:

Like Vişņu, Śiva is also a high god, who gives his name to a collection of theistic trends and sects: Śaivism. Like Vaişņavism, the term also implies a unity which cannot be clearly found either in religious practice or in philosophical and esoteric doctrine. Furthermore, practice and doctrine must be kept separate.

An example of assimilation took place in Maharashtra, where a regional deity named Khandoba is a patron deity of farming and herding castes. The foremost center of worship of Khandoba in Maharashtra is in Jejuri Khandoba has been assimilated as a form of Shiva himself, in which case he is worshipped in the form of a lingam. Khandoba's varied associations also include an identification with Surya and Karttikeya.

The Pashupati seal

Seal discovered at Mohenjodaro shows a seated figure surrounded by animals, possibly Shiva,the Pashupati

Seal discovered at Mohenjodaro shows a seated figure surrounded by animals, possibly Shiva,the Pashupati

A seal discovered during the excavation of Mohenjo-daro has drawn attention as a possible representation of a "proto-Shiva" figure. This Pashupati (Lord of animal-like beings) seal shows a seated figure, possibly ithyphallic, surrounded by animals. Sir John Marshall and others have claimed that this figure is a prototype of Shiva and have described the figure as having three faces seated in a "yoga posture" with the knees out and feet joined. However, this claim is not without its share of critics, with some academics like Gavin Flood and John Keay characterizing them as unfounded.

Lord Shiva is believed to be lived in Kailasa, a peak in the Great Himalayas. But some legend said that it is Rudra who lives in Kailasa. Rudra is believed to be an Incarnation of Lord Sadashiva.

Rudra

Shiva as we know him today shares many features with the Vedic god Rudra and both Shiva and Rudra are viewed as the same personality in a number of Hindu traditions. Rudra, the god of the roaring storm, is usually portrayed in accordance with the element he represents as a fierce, destructive deity.

The oldest surviving text of Hinduism is the Rig Veda, which is dated to between 1700 and 1100 BC based on linguistic and philological evidence. A god named Rudra is mentioned in the Rig Veda. The name Rudra is still used as a name for Shiva. In RV 2.33, he is described as the "Father of the Rudras", a group of storm gods. Furthermore, the Rudram, one of the most sacred hymns of Hinduism found both in the Rig and the Yajur Vedas and addressed to Rudra, invokes him as Shiva in several instances, but the term Shiva is used as an epithet for Indra, Mitra and Agni many times.

The identification of Shiva with the older god Rudra is not universally accepted, as Axel Michaels explains:

Rudra is called "The Archer" (Sanskrit: Śarva), and the arrow is an essential attribute of Rudra. This name appears in the Shiva Sahasranama, and R. K. Sharma notes that it is used as a name of Shiva often in later languages.

The word is derived from the Sanskrit root śarv-, which means "to injure" or "to kill", and Sharma uses that general sense in his interpretive translation of the name Śarva as "One who can kill the forces of darkness". The names Dhanvin ("Bowman") and Bāṇahasta ("Archer", literally "Armed with arrows in his hands") also refer to archery.

Identification with Vedic deities

Shiva's rise to a major position in the pantheon was facilitated by his identification with a host of Vedic deities, including Agni, Indra, Prajāpati, Vāyu, and others.

Agni

Rudra and Agni have a close relationship. The identification between Agni and Rudra in the Vedic literature was an important factor in the process of Rudra's gradual development into the later character as Rudra-Shiva. The identification of Agni with Rudra is explicitly noted in the Nirukta, an important early text on etymology, which says, "Agni is also called Rudra." The interconnections between the two deities are complex, and according to Stella Kramrisch:

The fire myth of Rudra-Śiva plays on the whole gamut of fire, valuing all its potentialities and phases, from conflagration to illumination. In medieval sculpture, both Agni and the form of Shiva known as Bhairava have flaming hair as a special feature.

Indra

According to a theory, the Puranic Shiva is a continuation of the Vedic Indra. He gives several reasons for his hypothesis. Both Shiva and Indra are known for having a thirst for Soma. Both are associated with mountains, rivers, male fertility, fierceness, fearlessness, warfare, transgression of established mores, the Aum sound, the Supreme Self. In the Rig Veda the term śiva is used to refer to Indra. and 8.93.3. ) Indra, like Shiva, is likened to a bull. In the Rig Veda, Rudra is the father of the Maruts, but he is never associated with their warlike exploits as is Indra.

Position within Hinduism

Shaivism

Shaivism (Sanskrit: शैव पंथ, śaiva paṁtha) (Tamil: சைவ சமயம்) is the oldest of the four major sects of Hinduism, the others being Vaishnavism, Shaktism and Smartism. Followers of Shaivism, called "Shaivas", and also "Saivas" or "Saivites", revere Shiva as the Supreme Being. Shaivas believe that Shiva is All and in all, the creator, preserver, destroyer, revealer and concealer of all that is.

The tantric Shaiva tradition consists of the Kapalikas, Kashmir Shaivism and Shaiva Siddhanta.

The Shiva MahaPurana is one of the purāṇas, a genre of Hindu religious texts, dedicated to Shiva.

Shaivism is widespread throughout India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, mostly. Areas notable for the practice of Shaivism include parts of Southeast Asia, especially Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia.

Panchayatana puja

Panchayatana puja is the system of worship ('puja') in the Smarta sampradaya of Hinduism. It is said to have been introduced by Adi Shankara, the 8th century CE Hindu philosopher. It consists of the worship of five deities: Shiva, Vishnu, Devi, Surya and Ganesha. Depending on the tradition followed by Smarta households, one of these deities is kept in the center and the other four surround it. Worship is offered to all the deities. The five are represented by small murtis, or by five kinds of stones, or by five marks drawn on the floor.

Trimurti

The Trimurti is a concept in Hinduism

... in which the cosmic functions of creation, maintenance, and destruction are personified by the forms of Brahmā the creator, Vishnu the maintainer or preserver and Śhiva the destroyer or transformer,"

These three deities have been called "the Hindu triad" or the "Great Trinity", often addressed as "Brahma-Vishnu-Maheshwara."

Iconography and properties

Attributes

Shiva with Parvati. Shiva is depicted three-eyed, the Ganges flowing through his matted hair (which are yellowish-white or like molten gold), wearing ornaments of serpents and a skull bracelet, and covered in ashes, and Trisula and Damaru are seen in the background.

Shiva is depicted three-eyed, the Ganges flowing through his matted hair (which are yellowish-white or like molten gold), wearing ornaments of serpents and a skull bracelet, and covered in ashes, and Trisula and Damaru are seen in the background.

  • Third eye: (Trilochana) Shiva is often depicted with a third eye, with which he burned Desire (Kāma) to ashes, called "Tryambakam" (Sanskrit: त्र्यम्बकम्), which occurs in many scriptural sources. In classical Sanskrit, the word ambaka denotes "an eye", and in the Mahabharata, Shiva is depicted as three-eyed, so this name is sometimes translated as "having three eyes". However, in Vedic Sanskrit, the word ambā or ambikā means "mother", and this early meaning of the word is the basis for the translation "three mothers". These three mother-goddesses who are collectively called the Ambikās. Other related translations have been based on the idea that the name actually refers to the oblations given to Rudra, which according to some traditions were shared with the goddess Ambikā.
  • Matted hair: (The epithet "Jataajoota Dhari/Kapardin") - Shiva's distinctive hair style is noted in the epithets Jaṭin, "the one with matted hair", and Kapardin, "endowed with matted hair" or "wearing his hair wound in a braid in a shell-like (kaparda) fashion". A kaparda is a cowrie shell, or a braid of hair in the form of a shell, or, more generally, hair that is shaggy or curly. His hair is said to be like molten gold in color or being yellowish-white.
Statue of Shiva meditating in Rishikesh
  • Gaṇa: The Gaṇas (Devanagari: गण) are attendants of Shiva and live in Kailash. They are often referred to as the bhutaganas, or ghostly hosts, on account of their nature. Generally benign, except when their lord is transgressed against, they are often invoked to intercede with the lord on behalf of the devotee. Ganesha was chosen as their leader by Shiva, hence Ganesha's title gaṇa-īśa or gaṇa-pati, "lord of the gaṇas".

Lingam

Apart from anthropomorphic images of Shiva, the worship of Shiva in the form of a lingam, or linga, is also important. These are depicted in various forms. One common form is the shape of a vertical rounded column. Shiva means auspiciousness, and linga means a sign or a symbol. Hence, the Shivalinga is regarded as a "symbol of the great God of the universe who is all-auspiciousness". Shiva also means "one in whom the whole creation sleeps after dissolution". Linga also means the same thing—a place where created objects get dissolved during the disintegration of the created universe. Since, according to Hinduism, it is the same god that creates, sustains and withdraws the universe, the Shivalinga represents symbolically God Himself. Some scholars, such as Monier-Williams and Wendy Doniger, also view linga as a phallic symbol, although this interpretation is disputed by others, including Christopher Isherwood, Vivekananda, Swami Sivananda, and S.N. Balagangadhara.

The worship of the Shiva-Linga originated from the famous hymn in the Atharva-Veda Samhitâ sung in praise of the Yupa-Stambha, the sacrificial post. In that hymn, a description is found of the beginningless and endless Stambha or Skambha, and it is shown that the said Skambha is put in place of the eternal Brahman. Just as the Yajna (sacrificial) fire, its smoke, ashes, and flames, the Soma plant, and the ox that used to carry on its back the wood for the Vedic sacrifice gave place to the conceptions of the brightness of Shiva's body, his tawny matted hair, his blue throat, and the riding on the bull of the Shiva, the Yupa-Skambha gave place in time to the Shiva-Linga. In the text Linga Purana, the same hymn is expanded in the shape of stories, meant to establish the glory of the great Stambha and the superiority of Shiva as Mahadeva.

Shakti

Kali and Bhairava (the terrible form of Shiva) in Union, 18th century, Nepal

Shiva forms a Tantric couple with Shakti, the embodiment of energy and dynamism, and the motivating force behind all action and existence in the material universe. Shiva is her transcendent masculine aspect, providing the divine ground of all being.

Shakti manifests in several female deities. Sati and Parvati are the main consorts of Shiva, but she is also manifested as Uma, Durga (Parvata), Kali and Chandika.

Kali is the manifestation of Shakti in her dreadful aspect. The name Kali comes from kāla, which means black, time, death, lord of death, Shiva. Since Shiva is called Kāla, the eternal time, Kālī, his consort, also means "Time" or "Death" (as in "time has come"). Various Shakta Hindu cosmologies, as well as Shākta Tantric beliefs, worship her as the ultimate reality or Brahman. She is also revered as Bhavatārini (literally "redeemer of the universe"). Kālī is represented as the consort of Lord Shiva, on whose body she is often seen standing or dancing. Shiva is the masculine force, the power of peace, while Shakti translates to power, and is considered as the feminine force. In the Vaishnava tradition, these realities are portrayed as Vishnu and Laxmi, or Radha and Krishna. These are differences in formulation rather than a fundamental difference in the principles. Both Shiva and Shakti have various forms. Shiva has forms like Yogi Raj (the common image of Himself meditating in the Himalayas), Rudra (a wrathful form) and Nataraj (performing the dance of destruction).

The five mantras

Five is a sacred number for Shiva. One of his most important mantras has five syllables (namaḥ śivāya).

Shiva's body is said to consist of five mantras, called the pañcabrahmans As forms of God, each of these have their own names and distinct iconography:

These are represented as the five faces of Shiva and are associated in various texts with the five elements, the five senses, the five organs of perception, and the five organs of action. Doctrinal differences and, possibly, errors in transmission, have resulted in some differences between texts in details of how these five forms are linked with various attributes. The overall meaning of these associations is summarized by Stella Kramrisch:

Through these transcendent categories, Śiva, the ultimate reality, becomes the efficient and material cause of all that exists.

According to the Pañcabrahma Upanishad:

One should know all things of the phenomenal world as of a fivefold character, for the reason that the eternal verity of Śiva is of the character of the fivefold Brahman. (Pañcabrahma Upanishad

Forms

According to Gavin Flood, "Shiva is a god of ambiguity and paradox," whose attributes include opposing themes. The ambivalent nature of this deity is apparent in some of his names and the stories told about him.

Destroyer versus benefactor

Shiva carrying the corpse of his first consort Dakshayani (Sati)

In the Yajurveda, two contrary sets of attributes for both malignant or terrific (Sanskrit: rudra) and benign or auspicious (Sanskrit: śiva) forms can be found, leading Chakravarti to conclude that "all the basic elements which created the complex Rudra-Śiva sect of later ages are to be found here". In the Mahabharata, Shiva is depicted as "the standard of invincibility, might, and terror", as well as a figure of honor, delight, and brilliance. The duality of Shiva's fearful and auspicious attributes appears in contrasted names.

The name Rudra (Sanskrit: रुद्र) reflects his fearsome aspects. According to traditional etymologies, the Sanskrit name Rudra is derived from the root rud-, which means "to cry, howl". Stella Kramrisch notes a different etymology connected with the adjectival form raudra, which means "wild, of rudra nature", and translates the name Rudra as "the wild one" or "the fierce god". R. K. Sharma follows this alternate etymology and translates the name as "terrible". Hara (Sanskrit: हर) is an important name that occurs three times in the Anushasanaparvan version of the Shiva sahasranama, where it is translated in different ways each time it occurs, following a commentorial tradition of not repeating an interpretation. Sharma translates the three as "one who captivates", "one who consolidates", and "one who destroys". Kramrisch translates it as "the ravisher". Another of Shiva's fearsome forms is as Kāla (Sanskrit: काल), "time", and as Mahākāla (Sanskrit: महाकाल), "great time", which ultimately destroys all things. Bhairava (Sanskrit: भैरव), "terrible" or "frightful", is a fierce form associated with annihilation.

In contrast, the name Śaṇkara (Sanskrit: शङ्कर), "beneficent" or "conferring happiness" reflects his benign form. This name was adopted by the great Vedanta philosopher Śaṇkara (c. 788 - 820 CE), who is also known as Shankaracharya. The name Śambhu (Sanskrit: शम्भु), "causing happiness", also reflects this benign aspect.

Ascetic to householder

An illustration of the family of Shiva, consisting of Shiva, Parvati, Ganesha and Skanda (Kartikeya)

An illustration of the family of Shiva, consisting of Shiva, Parvati, Ganesha and Skanda (Kartikeya)

He is depicted as both an ascetic yogi and as a householder, roles which have been traditionally mutually exclusive in Hindu society. When depicted as a yogi, he may be shown sitting and meditating. His epithet Mahāyogi ("the great Yogi: Mahā = "great", Yogi = "one who practices Yoga") refers to his association with yoga. While Vedic religion was conceived mainly in terms of sacrifice, it was during the Epic period that the concepts of tapas, yoga, and asceticism became more important, and the depiction of Shiva as an ascetic sitting in philosophical isolation reflects these later concepts. Shiva is also depicted as a corpse below Goddess Kali, it represents that Shiva is a corpse without Shakti. He remains inert. While Shiva is the static form. Mahakali or Shakti is the dynamic aspect without whom Shiva is powerless.

As a family man and householder, he has a wife, Parvati, and two sons, Ganesha and Kartikeya. His epithet Umāpati ("The husband of Umā") refers to this idea, and Sharma notes that two other variants of this name that mean the same thing, Umākānta and Umādhava, also appear in the sahasranama. Umā in epic literature is known by many names, including the benign Pārvatī. She is identified with Devi, the Divine Mother; Shakti (divine energy) as well as goddesses like Tripura Sundari, Durga, Kamakshi and Meenakshi. The consorts of Shiva are the source of his creative energy. They represent the dynamic extension of Shiva onto this universe. His son Ganesha is worshipped throughout India and Nepal as the Remover of Obstacles, Lord of Beginnings and Lord of Obstacles. Kartikeya is worshipped in Southern India (especially in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka) by the names Subrahmanya, Subrahmanyan, Shanmughan, Swaminathan and Murugan, and in Northern India by the names Skanda, Kumara, or Karttikeya.

Nataraja

Chola dynasty statue depicting Shiva dancing as Nataraja (Los Angeles County Museum of Art)

Chola dynasty statue depicting Shiva dancing as Nataraja (Los Angeles County Museum of Art)

The depiction of Shiva as Nataraja (Tamil: நடராஜா,Kannada: ನಟರಾಜ, Telugu: నటరాజు, Sanskrit: naṭarāja, "Lord of Dance") is popular. The names Nartaka ("dancer") and Nityanarta ("eternal dancer") appear in the Shiva Sahasranama. His association with dance and also with music is prominent in the Puranic period. In addition to the specific iconographic form known as Nataraja, various other types of dancing forms (Sanskrit: nṛtyamūrti) are found in all parts of India, with many well-defined varieties in Tamil Nadu in particular. The two most common forms of the dance are the Tandava, which later came to denote the powerful and masculine dance as Kala-Mahakala associated with the destruction of the world. When it requires the world or universe to be destroyed, Lord Śiva does it by the tāṇḍavanṛtya. and Lasya, which is graceful and delicate and expresses emotions on a gentle level and is considered the feminine dance attributed to the goddess Parvati. Lasya is regarded as the female counterpart of Tandava. The Tandava-Lasya dances are associated with the destruction-creation of the world.

Dakshinamurthy

Dakshinamurthy, or Dakṣiṇāmūrti (Tamil:தட்சிணாமூர்த்தி, Telugu: దక్షిణామూర్తి, Sanskrit: दक्षिणामूर्ति), literally describes a form (mūrti) of Shiva facing south (dakṣiṇa). This form represents Shiva in his aspect as a teacher of yoga, music, and wisdom and giving exposition on the shastras. This iconographic form for depicting Shiva in Indian art is mostly from Tamil Nadu. Elements of this motif can include Shiva seated upon a deer-throne and surrounded by sages who are receiving his instruction.

Ardhanarishvara

Chola bronze from the 11th century. Shiva in the form of Ardhanarisvara.

An iconographic representation of Shiva called (Ardhanārīśvara) shows him with one half of the body as male and the other half as female. According to Ellen Goldberg, the traditional Sanskrit name for this form (Ardhanārīśvara) is best translated as "the lord who is half woman", not as "half-man, half-woman". According to legend, Lord Shiva is pleased by the difficult austerites performed by the Goddess Parvati, grants her the left half of his body. This form of Shiva is quite similar to the Yin-Yang philosophy of Eastern Asia, though Ardhanārīśvara appears to be more ancient.

Tripurantaka

Shiva is often depicted as an archer in the act of destroying the triple fortresses, Tripura, of the Asuras. Shiva's name Tripurantaka (Sanskrit: त्रिपुरान्तक, Tripurāntaka), "ender of Tripura", refers to this important story. In this aspect, Shiva is depicted with four arms wielding a bow and arrow, but different from the Pinakapani murti. He holds an axe and a deer on the upper pair of his arms. In the lower pair of the arms, he holds a bow and an arrow respectively. After destroying Tripura, Tripurantaka Shiva smeared his forehead with three strokes of Ashes. This has become a prominent symbol of Shiva and is practiced even today by Shaivites.

Maheshvara

In the form of Maheshvara (Japanese: 大自在天 Daijizai-ten), Shiva plays a role in Buddhist Tantra.

A popular story tells how Vajrapani kills Mahesvara, a manifestation of Shiva depicted as an evil being. The story occurs in several scriptures, most notably the Sarvatathagatatattvasamgraha and the Vajrapany-abhiseka-mahatantra. The story begins with the transformation of the Bodhisattva Samantabhadra into Vajrapani by Vairocana, the cosmic Buddha, receiving a vajra and the name "Vajrapani". Vairocana then requests Vajrapani to generate his adamantine family, to establish a mandala. Vajrapani refuses, because Mahesvara (Shiva) "is deluding beings with his deceitfull religious doctrines and engaging in all kinds of violent criminal conduct". Mahesvara and his entourage are dragged to Mount Sumeru, and all but Mahesvara submit. Vajrapani and Mahesvara engage in a magical combat, which is won by Vajrapani. Mahesvara's retinue become part of Vairocana's mandala, except for Mahesvara, who is killed, and his life transferred to another realm where he becomes a buddha named Bhasmesvara-nirghosa, the "Soundless Lord of Ashes".

According to Kalupahana, the story "echoes" the story of the conversion of Ambattha. It is to be understood in the context of the competition between Buddhist institutions and Shaivism.

Avatars

Shiva, like some other Hindu deities, is said to have several incarnations, known as Avatars. Although Puranic scriptures contain occasional references to "ansh" avatars of Shiva, the idea is not universally accepted in Saivism. The Linga Purana speaks of twenty-eight forms of Shiva which are sometimes seen as avatars. In the Shiva Purana there is a distinctly Saivite version of a traditional avatar myth:

Sharabha (right) with Narasimha (18th-century painting, Pahari/Kangra School)

Relationship to Vishnu

During the Vedic period, both Vishnu and Shiva (as identified with Rudra) played relatively minor roles, but by the time of the Brahmanas (c. 1000 - 700 BC), both were gaining ascendance. By the Puranic period, both deities had major sects that competed with one another for devotees. Many stories developed showing different types of relationships between these two important deities.

Sectarian groups each presented their own preferred deity as supreme. Vishnu in his myths "becomes" Shiva. The Vishnu Purana (4th century CE) shows Vishnu awakening and becoming both Brahmā to create the world and Shiva to destroy it. Shiva also is viewed as a manifestation of Vishnu in the Bhagavata Purana. In Shaivite myths, on the other hand, Shiva comes to the fore and acts independently and alone to create, preserve, destroy, hide, and to bless (five works). In one Shaivite myth of the origin of the lingam, both Vishnu and Brahmā are revealed as emanations from Shiva's manifestation as a towering pillar of flame. The Śatarudrīya, a Shaivite hymn, says that Shiva is "of the form of Vishnu". Differences in viewpoints between the two sects are apparent in the story of Śarabha (also spelled "Sharabha"), the name of Shiva's incarnation in the composite form of man, bird, and beast. Shiva assumed that unusual form of Sarabheshwara to chastise Vishnu, who in his hybrid form as Narasimha, the man-lion, killed Hiranyakashipu. However, Vaishnava followers including Dvaita scholars, such as Vijayindra Tirtha (1539–95) dispute this view of Narasimha based on their reading of Sattvika Puranas and Śruti texts.

Syncretic forces produced stories in which the two deities were shown in cooperative relationships and combined forms. Harihara is the name of a combined deity form of both Vishnu (Hari) and Shiva (Hara). This dual form, which is also called Harirudra, is mentioned in the Mahabharata. An example of a collaboration story is one given to explain Shiva's epithet Mahābaleśvara, "lord of great strength" (Maha = "great", Bala = "strength", Īśvara = "lord"). This name refers to a story in which Rāvaṇa was given a linga as a boon by Shiva on the condition that he carry it always. During his travels, he stopped near the present Gokarna, India in Karnataka to purify himself and asked Ganesha, a son of Parvathi in the guise of a young Brahmin, to hold the linga for him, but after some time, Ganesha put it down on the ground and vanished. When Ravana returned, he could not move the linga, and it is said to remain there ever since.

As one story goes, Shiva is enticed by the beauty and charm of Mohini, Vishnu's female avatar, and procreates with her. As a result of this union, Shasta - identified with regional deities Ayyappa and Ayyanar - is born.

Festivals

Maha Shivaratri

Maha Shivratri is a festival celebrated every year on the 13th night or the 14th day of the new moon in the Krishna Paksha of the month of Maagha or Phalguna in the Hindu calendar. This festival is of utmost importance to the devotees of Lord Shiva.

Mahashivaratri marks the night when Lord Shiva performed the 'Tandava' and it is also believed that Lord Shiva was married to Parvati.

On this day the devotees observe fast and offer fruits, flowers and Bael leaves to Shiva Linga.

Karthikai Deepam

Karthikai Deepam (Tamil: கார்த்திகை தீபம்) or Karthikai vilakkidu (Tamil: கார்த்திகைத் விளக்கீடு) also known as Karthika Deepam (కార్తీక దీపం) in Telugu ] is a Hindu specially Hindu Tamils and Hindu Telugu festival. The festival is observed in every home and every temple, and falls in the month of Kārttikai (mid-November to mid-December) as per Tamil calendar. This occurs on the day when the moon is in conjunction with the constellation Karthigai (Pleiades) and purnimai. This constellation appears as a group of six stars in the firmament in the shape of a pendant from the ear.

Many legends and lyrical poetry have grown round this star. The six stars are considered in Indian mythology as the six celestial nymphs who reared the six babies in the saravana tank which later were joined together to form the six faced Muruga. He is therefore called Karthikeya, the one brought up by the Karthigai nymphs. Houses and streets are lit up with rows of oil lamps (Deepam) in the evening of the festival day.

Teej

Teej (तीज) is a fasting festival for Hindu women. It is mainly celebrated in Rajasthan, Bihar and Haryana in (India) and in Nepal and is considered as the most standard form of teej. It is also celebrated in some states of India but has almost vanished nowadays.

It takes place on the third day of Shukla Paksha (bright moon fortnight) of the Shraavana or Saawan month of Hindu calendar that normally falls from late July to early September. Dedicated to the Goddess Parvati, commemorating her union with Lord Shiva, the festival is celebrated for marital bliss, well-being of spouse and children and purification of own body and soul. The festival is a three-day-long celebration that combines sumptuous feasts as well as rigid fasting.

Falling on the Hindu month of Bhadrapada or Bhado (August/September), it also celebrates the arrival of monsoon after a season of oppressive heat. "Teej" is a small red insect that comes out of the soil during rains.

Temples

There are many Shiva temples in the Indian subcontinent, the Jyotirlinga temples being the most prominent.

Jyotirlinga temples

Location of 12 Jyotirlinga Temples.

The holiest Shiva temple is Pashupatinath Temple, located in Nepal. Other holiest Shiva temples are the 12 Jyotirlinga temples.

Jyotirlinga Location
Somnath Somanatha view-II.JPG Prabhas Patan, near Veraval, Gujarat
Mahakaleshwar Mahakal Temple Ujjain.JPG Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh
Omkareshwar Omkareshwar.JPG near Indore, Madhya Pradesh
Kedarnath Kedarnath Temple.jpg Kedarnath, Uttarakhand
Bhimashankar Bhimashankar.jpg Disputed:
Kashi Vishwanath Temple|Kashi Vishwanath Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
Trimbakeshwar Shiva Temple|Trimbakeshwar Trimbakeshwar Shiva Temple, Trimbak, Nashik district.jpg Trimbak, near Nasik, Maharashtra
Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram|Ramanathaswamy Ramanathar-temple.jpg Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu|Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu
Grishneshwar Grishneshwar Temple.jpg near Ellora, Maharashtra
Vaidyanath Disputed:
Nageshwar Jageshwar main.JPG Disputed:
Mallikarjuna Swamy Srisailam-temple-entrance.jpg Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh

Manifestations

Chidambaram Temple in Tamil Nadu is dedicated to Nataraj, dancing form of Shiva which was built well before 6th century.

In South India, five temples of Shiva are held to be particularly important, as being manifestations of him in the five elemental substances:

Deity Manifestation Temple Location State
Jambhukeswar Water Jambukeswarar Temple, Thiruvanaikaval Trichy Tamil Nadu
Arunachaleswar Fire Annamalaiyar Temple Thiruvannamalai Tamil Nadu
Kalahastheeswara Air Srikalahasti temple Srikalahasti Andhra Pradesh
Vanmikanathar Earth Thyagaraja Temple Thiruvarur Tamil Nadu
Ekambareswar Earth Ekambareswarar Temple Kanchipuram Tamil Nadu
Nataraja Sky Natarajar Temple Chidambaram Tamil Nadu

Panchaaraama temples

The Pancharama Kshetras (or the Pancharamas) are five ancient Hindu temples of Lord Shiva situated in Andhra Pradesh. The Sivalingas at these temples are made from a single Sivalinga. As per the legend, this Sivalinga was owned by the demon king Tarakasura. No one could win over him due to the power of this Sivalinga. Finally, Lord Kumaraswamy, the son of Lord Shiva broke the Sivalinga into five pieces and killed Tarakasura. The five pieces of Sivalinga fell at five different places on earth namely,

Bhimesvara Swamy Temple in Draksharama, one of the Pancharama Kshetras
Vadakkunnathan Temple, Thrissur is one of the oldest Hindu temples in Kerala.
Arama Name Siva's Name Consort Name Location State
Amararama Amaralingeswara Swamy Bala Chamundika Ammavaru Amaravathi Andhra Pradesh
Draksharama Bhimesvara Swamy Manikyamba Ammavaru Draksharama Andhra Pradesh
Somarama Someswara Swamy Sri Rajarajeswari Ammavaru Bhimavaram Andhra Pradesh
Ksheerarama Ksheera Ramalingeswara Swamy Parvati Ammavaru Palakol Andhra Pradesh
Bhimarama Kumara Bhimeswara Swamy Bala Tripurasundari Ammavaru Samalkota Andhra Pradesh

Sabha temples

The five sabha temples where Shiva is believed to perform five different style of dances are:

Sabha Temple Location State
Pon (Gold) Sabha Natarajar Temple Chidambaram Tamil Nadu
Velli (Silver) Sabha Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple Madurai Tamil Nadu
Tamira (Copper) Sabha Nellaiappar Temple Tirunelveli Tamil Nadu
Rathna (Gem) Sabha Thiruvalankadu Vadaaranyeswarar Temple Thiruvalangadu
near Arakkonam
Tamil Nadu
Chitira (Picture) Sabha Kutraleeswar Temple Coutrallam Tamil Nadu

Other famous temples in India

  • Airavatesvara Temple, Darasuram, Thanjavur District
  • Rockfort Ucchi Pillayar Temple, Tiruchirappalli
  • Brihadeeswarar Temple, Thanjavur
  • Sangameswarar Temple, Bhavani, Erode district
  • Arthanareeswara Temple, Tiruchengode, Namakkal district
  • Sri Adhikumbeswarar Temple, Kumbakonam, Tanjore district
Uttarakhand
  • Daksheswara Mahadev Temple, Kankhal
  • Rudreshwar Mahadev Temple
  • Baleshwar Temple, Champawat
  • Baijnath, Uttarakhand
  • Jageshwar, Almora
  • Gopinath Mandir, Chamoli Gopeshwar
  • Neelkanth Mahadev Temple, near Rishikesh
  • Panch Kedar
    • Kedarnath Temple, Kedarnath– one of the most revered shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva
    • Tungnath, Chamoli district
    • Rudranath
    • Madhyamaheshwar
    • Kalpeshwar
Gujarat
  • Somnath, the first of the 12 Jyotirlinga. Junagadh district
  • Nageshvara Jyotirlinga, Dwarka, Jamnagar district
  • Bhavnath, Junagadh
  • Koteshwar, Kutch, Lakhpat, Kutch District
  • Chakhanda Mahadev, Bhadreswar, Kutch
  • Rudra Mahalaya, Sidhpur
  • Dholeshwar, Gandhinagar outskirts
  • Galteshwar, Dakor, Kheda district
  • Shoolpaneshwar, Narmada district
  • Angareshwar, Narmada Banks, nearby Sinor, Vadodara district
  • Nareshwar, Narmada Banks, Vadodara district
  • Shuklatirth, Narmada Banks, Bharuch district
  • Shukleshwar Mahadev, Vyara
  • Kedareshwar, Bardoli, Surat district
  • Trinetreshwar, Tarnetar, Surendranagar district
  • Bhimnath Mahadev, Dhandhuka, Ahmedabad district
  • Ghela Somnath, Rajkot district
  • Gautameshwar, Sihor, Bhavnagar district
  • Nishkalank Mahadev, Koliyak, Bhavnagar district
  • Gopnath, Talaja, Bhavnagar district
  • Gangeshwar Temple, Diu
Maharashtra
Odisha
Madhya Pradesh
  • Pashupatinath temple, Mandsaur—Only Pashupatinath ling temple having 8 faces ling statue.
Andhra Pradesh
  • Vemulawada, Karimnagar district
  • Kapila Theertham, Chittoor district
  • Srikalahasti Temple, Srikalahasti
  • Kaleshwaram, Karimnagar district
  • Keesaragutta, Ranga Reddy district
  • Ramappa temple, Warangal district
Kerala
  • Ettumanoor Mahadevar Temple, Ettumanoor
  • Vaikom Temple, Vaikom
  • Kaduthuruthy, Kaduthuruthy
  • Rajarajeshwara Temple, Taliparamba
  • Vadakkunnathan Temple, Thrissur
  • Poonkunnam Siva Temple, Poonkunnam
Karnataka
Sikkim
Assam
West Bengal
  • Tarakeswar
Jammu and Kashmir
  • Amarnath Yatra to the Amarnathji cave in Jammu and Kashmir is of huge significance.

Shiva temples are very prominent in Mauritius too. There is a standing shiva statue in Mauritius too.

Famous temples in other countries

  • Prambanan temple dedicated to trimurthi which was exactly located 18 km(11 mi) from the city of Yogyakarta on the boundary between Central Java and Yogyakarta provinces located in the country of Indonesia

In popular media

  • Devon Ke Dev...Mahadev a historical and myhtological play telecasted on Life OK from Sunday to Saturday which portrays the life of Lord Shiva with his wife Sati and Parvathi also with his sons Ganesh, Karthikeya and his daughter Ashokasundari. It is however debated whether Ashokasundari is real or just a creation of imagination. The drama is also telecasted in Tamil in Star Vijay and also in Malayalam in Asianet. It is one of the most successful plays of Lord Shiva.

Source

Wikipedia:Shiva