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Shiva, one of the principal deities of Hinduism, is revered by Shaivites as the supreme god. He is known by several epithets, including Shambhu (the “Benign”), Shankara (the “Beneficent”), Mahesha (the “Great Lord”), and Mahadeva (the “Great God”). Shiva is depicted in numerous forms, from being a peaceful figure with his consort Parvati and son Skanda to the cosmic dancer (Nataraja), an ascetic, a beggar, a yogi, and even as Bhairava, a Dalit accompanied by a dog. One of his most unique representations is as Ardhanarishvara, where he embodies both male and female, merging with his consort in one body. Shiva is not only a master of asceticism but also of fertility, and he holds power over both poison and medicine, symbolized by his control over snakes. As Pashupata, the Lord of Cattle, he is both a kind protector and, at times, a harsh slayer of the “beasts,” which represent human souls.
Shiva’s consort takes on various forms, including Uma, Sati, Parvati, Durga, and Kali. In some instances, he is paired with Shakti, the embodiment of divine power. Together, the divine couple and their sons—Skanda and Ganesha—are believed to reside on Mount Kailasa in the Himalayas. According to mythology, Skanda was born from Shiva’s seed, which was passed from the god Agni to the Ganges and then to the Pleiades constellation. Ganesha, on the other hand, was created by Parvati from the dirt of her bath and received his elephant head after Shiva accidentally beheaded him. Shiva’s vehicle, or vahana, is the bull Nandi, whose statue is often found opposite the sanctum in Shiva temples. Shiva is also worshiped in the form of the lingam, a cylindrical symbol representing divine energy, often placed within a yoni, symbolizing the feminine principle.
Shiva is typically depicted in art as white, covered in ash from cremation grounds, and with a blue neck, a result of containing the poison from the cosmic ocean that threatened the universe. His hair is styled in matted locks (jatamakuta), adorned with the crescent moon and the Ganges, which he is said to have brought to Earth. Shiva’s third eye signifies his inward vision and destructive power when focused outward. He often wears a garland of skulls, a serpent around his neck, and carries objects such as a deerskin, trident, hand drum, or a club with a skull, the latter symbolizing his identity as Kapalika (“Skull-Bearer”). One legend recounts Shiva cutting off Brahma’s fifth head, which stuck to his hand until he reached Varanasi, where it fell away, giving rise to the shrine Kapala-mochana (“The Releasing of the Skull”).
Shaivism, one of the major sects of Hinduism along with Vaishnavism and Shaktism, revolves around the worship of Shiva. This diverse tradition includes movements like the philosophical Shaiva-siddhanta, the socially distinct Lingayat sect, and various ascetic orders such as the Dashnami Sannyasins. The Vedas mention Rudra, a mysterious god whose name became an epithet for Shiva. The Shvetashvatara Upanishad elevates Shiva to the status of the supreme deity, and he is prominently featured in the epics Mahabharata and Ramayana. Organized worship of Shiva, however, began between the 2nd century BCE and the 2nd century CE with the rise of the Pashupata sect. Since then, temples, festivals, and pilgrimage centers dedicated to Shiva have flourished across India.
There are several schools of Shaiva philosophy, with views ranging from pluralistic realism to absolute monism. One notable school, Shaiva-siddhanta, teaches that there are three fundamental principles: Pati (Shiva, the Lord), pashu (the individual soul), and pasha (the bonds of worldly existence). The ultimate goal for the soul is to break free from these bonds and attain shivatva, or the nature of Shiva. The paths to this realization include charya (ritual worship), kriya (intimate service), yoga (meditation), and jnana (knowledge). Over time, Shaivism spread beyond India, influencing religious practices in Southeast Asia, including regions like Java, Bali, and Cambodia.
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