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Shiva, (Sanskrit: “Auspicious One”) also spelled Śiwa or Śiva, one of the main deities of Hinduism, whom Shaivites worship as the supreme god. Among his common epithets are Shambhu (“Benign”), Shankara (“Beneficent”), Mahesha (“Great Lord”), and Mahadeva (“Great God”).

Who is shiva?

Shiva is one of the main deities of Hinduism. His name is also spelled Śiwa or Śiva.

What forms does shiva has?

SHIVA is represented in a variety of forms: in a pacific mood with his consort Parvati and son Skanda, as the cosmic dancer (Nataraja), as a naked ascetic, as a mendicant beggar, as a yogi, as a Dalit (formerly called untouchable) accompanied by a dog (Bhairava), and as the androgynous union of Shiva and his consort in one body, half-male and half-female (Ardhanarishvara). He is both the great ascetic and the master of fertility, and he is the master of both poison and medicine, through his ambivalent power over snakes. As Lord of Cattle (Pashupata), he is the benevolent herdsman—or, at times, the merciless slaughterer of the “beasts” that are the human souls in his care. Although some of the combinations of roles may be explained by Shiva’s identification with earlier mythological figures, they arise primarily from a tendency in Hinduism to see complementary qualities in a single ambiguous figure.

How does shiva looks like?

SHIVA is usually depicted as white, from the ashes of corpses that are smeared on his body, with a blue neck, from holding poison in his throat. His wears a crescent moon and the Ganges River as decorations in his hair and a garland of skulls and a serpent around his neck. He has three eyes and, according to different myths, either two or four hands.

What are Shiva’s roles as a deity?

SHIVA performs several roles as a Hindu deity. He is the great ascetic, the master of fertility, the master of poison and medicine, and Lord of Cattle. His combined roles are exemplary of a tendency in Hinduism to see complementary qualities in a single ambiguous figure.

Why is Shiva so important?

Shiva is important because he is one of the trio of main Hindu gods (with Vishnu and Brahma). For some sects, he is the supreme Hindu god and he represents creation, destruction, and time.

What is the spiritual meaning of Shiva?

The spiritual meaning of Shiva is the abstinence from all forms of indulgence and pleasure. The god represents the importance of concentrating on meditation as a means to finding perfect happiness.

Why Lord Shiva is so special?

Lord Shiva, is considered to be the most divine among all Hindu gods. “Maha Dev”, which means greatest God is another name given to him. In the Hindu religion, Lord Shiva is also considered to be the father of the whole universe. Worshipping Lord Shiva keeps one's mind calm and balanced and also keeps sorrows away.

What is interesting about Lord Shiva?

Lord Shiva is often represented with a snake named Vasuki, coiled around his neck. The snake represents the fact that he controls death and fear. A crescent moon adorns his hair as Holy River Ganga flows out from his head. The cresent moon represents the time cycle.🙏🙏