Shiva

In the Hindu pantheon, the one god who has conquered the belief of people in all his manifestations is Shiva. From Rudra, the ferocious Vedic god to the auspicious boon giver in the Puranas- Shiva has taken various paradoxical forms and yet has reinforced the confidence of Indians in the Hindu mythology. Amongst the holy trinity, the spine of Hindu concept of divinity, Shiva stands prominent and is identified with the task of destruction of the world for a new beginning to follow.

During the Vedic times, Shiva was not a very popular god due to his sinister aspects and was labeled as a non-Aryan god called Rudra. He was a dweller of the mountains, inhabited the cemeteries, wore animal skin and rode the storms. He was the father of the Maruts (storm deities). He was believed to be a terrible god and people worshipped him out of fear outside the boundaries of the town and sought his benevolence. He was also known to be the god of medicine and was the protector of humans from diseases. He also was believed to guard the animals and thus came to be known as ‘Pashupati’.   

During the Puranas, Rudra’s identity changed completely and he became one of the most influential deities of Brahamanism and was given the name Shiva. It was during this period that he was entitled as the ‘destroyer’ in the Holy trinity and his supremacy was established. His worship was a followed by a strong cult called ‘Shaivism’.

Shiva’s iconography has been a subject of great interest and debate among the Hindu mythologists. His unique identity and symbolism has led to great insights into understanding the metaphorical and metaphysical concepts of Hinduism. The most remarkable feature of Shiva is his vertical third eye on the forehead symbolizing knowledge and time. This third eye remains shut at all times but when opened, during a rare situation, is believed to cause ultimate devastation. Shiva wears a Jata Mukuta, a hairstyle adorned with a coronet with a crescent moon emphasizing the fact that Shiva is beyond the cycle of time and activity of the cosmos. His starkest attribute is his trident, depicting the three ‘gunas’ – sattva, rajas and tamas. He is adorned with serpent ornaments suggesting his supreme renunciation to temptation.  He also holds a drum and its beats represent the primal sound of destruction leading to creation. He wears deer skin which reflects that a restless mind has to be brought under control by yoga. His other attributes are a staff and also a garland of skulls called ‘mund mala’. He has Nandi, the bull as his escort symbolizing restrained power and dharma. He is also associated with smoking Marijuana. He has a very raw and uncouth demeanor as compared to other sophisticated gods in the Hindu religion.

Shiva is commonly recognized as the originator and exponent of various arts such as music, dance and yoga. His fierce dancing style is called ‘tandava’ and the form is known as ‘Natraja’. One significant aspect of Shiva is his worship in the form of ‘linga’ or phallic worship for his power to control his sexual energy and creation. He is revered under various names such as Maheshwara, Neelkantha, Pashupati, Umapati, Girish, Natraja and most commonly Shiva.