{"id":4201,"date":"2026-04-27T10:35:44","date_gmt":"2026-04-27T10:35:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/iwell-guard.com\/shiva\/"},"modified":"2026-06-05T14:24:34","modified_gmt":"2026-06-05T14:24:34","slug":"shiva","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/iwell-guard.com\/en\/shiva\/","title":{"rendered":"Shiva"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"4201\" class=\"elementor elementor-4201 elementor-1994 elementor-bc-flex-widget\" data-elementor-post-type=\"page\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-10fdade e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"10fdade\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-herohlft0 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"herohlft0\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c3ceb64 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"c3ceb64\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-96ae5e1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"96ae5e1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Shiva, god of the Hindu tradition<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e45238a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e45238a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Shiva is a god of the Hindu <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"The passing on of knowledge and narratives across generations.\" tabindex=\"0\">tradition<\/span>.<\/p><p><strong>The destroyer and renewer, the dancing god of meditation.<\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-klsbdg01 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"klsbdg01\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-klshtm01 elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"klshtm01\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"iwg-pill-row\"><span class=\"iwg-klasse-badge\" tabindex=\"0\" data-tooltip=\"God \/ Goddess: personified highest power within the pantheon of a culture, with clear responsibilities for natural forces, fate, war, fertility. Venerated through cults, offerings and temple institutions.\">God<\/span><a href=\"\/en\/hinduism\/\" class=\"iwg-kultur-badge\" tabindex=\"0\" data-tooltip=\"Hindu worlds of gods, asuras and protectors, from Vedic to Tantric.\">Hinduism<\/a><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3f74855 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"3f74855\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1c30362 elementor-toc--minimized-on-tablet elementor-widget elementor-widget-table-of-contents\" data-id=\"1c30362\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;exclude_headings_by_selector&quot;:[],&quot;no_headings_message&quot;:&quot;Es wurden keine \\u00dcberschriften auf dieser Seite gefunden.&quot;,&quot;headings_by_tags&quot;:[&quot;h2&quot;,&quot;h3&quot;],&quot;marker_view&quot;:&quot;bullets&quot;,&quot;minimize_box&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;icon&quot;:{&quot;value&quot;:&quot;fas fa-circle&quot;,&quot;library&quot;:&quot;fa-solid&quot;,&quot;rendered_tag&quot;:&quot;&lt;svg class=\\&quot;e-font-icon-svg e-fas-circle\\&quot; viewBox=\\&quot;0 0 512 512\\&quot; xmlns=\\&quot;http:\\\/\\\/www.w3.org\\\/2000\\\/svg\\&quot;&gt;&lt;path d=\\&quot;M256 8C119 8 8 119 8 256s111 248 248 248 248-111 248-248S393 8 256 8z\\&quot;&gt;&lt;\\\/path&gt;&lt;\\\/svg&gt;&quot;},&quot;minimized_on&quot;:&quot;tablet&quot;,&quot;hierarchical_view&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;min_height&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;min_height_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;min_height_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\" data-widget_type=\"table-of-contents.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toc__header\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-toc__header-title\">\n\t\t\t\tTable of contents\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toc__toggle-button elementor-toc__toggle-button--expand\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-controls=\"elementor-toc__1c30362\" aria-expanded=\"true\" aria-label=\"Open table of contents\"><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-chevron-down\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M207.029 381.476L12.686 187.132c-9.373-9.373-9.373-24.569 0-33.941l22.667-22.667c9.357-9.357 24.522-9.375 33.901-.04L224 284.505l154.745-154.021c9.379-9.335 24.544-9.317 33.901.04l22.667 22.667c9.373 9.373 9.373 24.569 0 33.941L240.971 381.476c-9.373 9.372-24.569 9.372-33.942 0z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toc__toggle-button elementor-toc__toggle-button--collapse\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-controls=\"elementor-toc__1c30362\" aria-expanded=\"true\" aria-label=\"Close table of contents\"><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-chevron-up\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M240.971 130.524l194.343 194.343c9.373 9.373 9.373 24.569 0 33.941l-22.667 22.667c-9.357 9.357-24.522 9.375-33.901.04L224 227.495 69.255 381.516c-9.379 9.335-24.544 9.317-33.901-.04l-22.667-22.667c-9.373-9.373-9.373-24.569 0-33.941L207.03 130.525c9.372-9.373 24.568-9.373 33.941-.001z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-toc__1c30362\" class=\"elementor-toc__body\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toc__spinner-container\">\n\t\t\t\t<svg class=\"elementor-toc__spinner eicon-animation-spin e-font-icon-svg e-eicon-loading\" aria-hidden=\"true\" viewBox=\"0 0 1000 1000\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M500 975V858C696 858 858 696 858 500S696 142 500 142 142 304 142 500H25C25 237 238 25 500 25S975 237 975 500 763 975 500 975Z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-herorght0 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"herorght0\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-heroimg00 iwg-hero-image elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"heroimg00\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/iwell-guard.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/goetter_hinduismus_shiva-683x1024.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-4203\" alt=\"Shiva, Hindu high god of destruction and renewal\" srcset=\"https:\/\/iwell-guard.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/goetter_hinduismus_shiva-683x1024.webp 683w, https:\/\/iwell-guard.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/goetter_hinduismus_shiva-200x300.webp 200w, https:\/\/iwell-guard.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/goetter_hinduismus_shiva-768x1152.webp 768w, https:\/\/iwell-guard.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/goetter_hinduismus_shiva.webp 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-32917199 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"32917199\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-26e916cb e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"26e916cb\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-253a40d4 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"253a40d4\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1200c304 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"1200c304\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Shiva<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-11758e7f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"11758e7f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Shiva is one of the three gods of the Trimurti, the cosmic triad that creates, preserves and destroys the universe. With his third eye that turns worlds to ash, a trident in his hand and serpents around his neck, Shiva dances the *Nataraja*, the cosmic dance that unsettles time, space and matter.<\/p><p>A god of extremes: the wild ascetic in a Himalayan cave, and at the same time the loving husband of Parvati and father of Ganesha.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-159dcf9a e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"159dcf9a\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-48cee66f elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"48cee66f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Short profile: Shiva<\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3f50d82c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3f50d82c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>Type:<\/strong> Principal Hindu <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"A being venerated as divine within a religion.\" tabindex=\"0\">deity<\/span>, destroyer and transformer (Trimurti), patron of ascetics<br><span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"The totality of the gods of a religion or culture.\" tabindex=\"0\">Pantheon<\/span>: Hinduism (especially Shaivism, one of the two largest Hindu confessions)<br>Function: destruction and renewal of the universe, cosmic dance, yoga, <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" tabindex=\"0\" data-tooltip=\"Religious-ritual tradition in Hinduism and Buddhism with a doctrine of energy polarities.\">Tantra<\/span><br>Main attributes: Trishula (trident), Damaru (drum), third eye, serpents, crescent moon, tiger-skin loincloth<br>Main <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"The totality of religious acts of veneration for a deity or sacred figure.\" tabindex=\"0\">cult<\/span> sites: Varanasi (Kashi-Vishwanath), Mt. Kailash (Tibet), Kedarnath, Rameswaram, the twelve Jyotirlingas<br>Main manifestations: Nataraja (cosmic dancer), Bhairava (wrathful), Ardhanarishvara (androgynous), Lingam (formless <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"A sign that stands in for an idea or meaning.\" tabindex=\"0\">symbol<\/span>)<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-18613602 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"18613602\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-262b8a9f elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"262b8a9f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Classification<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-46dcb7d e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"46dcb7d\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-61d3ab3 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"61d3ab3\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-117c166 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"117c166\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Period of the texts<\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-73997a0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"73997a0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Shiva develops out of the Vedic storm and healing god <em>Rudra<\/em> (Rigveda, 1200 to 900 BCE); in the Vedic hymns Rudra is still a peripheral, feared <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"A being venerated as divine within a religion.\" tabindex=\"0\">deity<\/span>. His rise to a principal deity occurs in the <em>Pur&acirc;&#7751;as<\/em> (especially the <em>&Saacute;iva Pur&acirc;&#7751;a<\/em> and the <em>Linga Pur&acirc;&#7751;a<\/em>, 4th to 10th century CE).<\/p><p>The main flourishing of the Tantric Shaiva traditions begins in the 8th century (K&acirc;p&acirc;lika, K&acirc;l&acirc;mukha, Shaiva Siddh&acirc;nta, the Trikasamb&acirc;ndha school of Kashmir Shaivism with Abhinavagupta).<\/p><p>In the Tamil country, the important <em>N&acirc;yan&acirc;rs<\/em> Bhakti corpus emerges (6th to 9th century). Today Shiva is one of the three principal Hindu deities alongside Vishnu and Devi; the Shaiva tradition comprises roughly a third of all Hindus.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d47b156 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"d47b156\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ff38c2b elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"ff38c2b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Area of distribution<\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4e49fcc elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4e49fcc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Main cult sites: <strong>Varanasi<\/strong> (Kashi, with the Kashi-Vishwanath <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"A building dedicated to the worship of one or more deities.\" tabindex=\"0\">temple<\/span>, one of the holiest places of Hinduism, where dying is said to grant direct entry into mok&#7779;a), <strong>Mt. Kailash<\/strong> (in western Tibet, his mythical abode), <strong>Kedarnath<\/strong> (Uttarakhand, Himalaya), <strong>Rameswaram<\/strong> (Tamil Nadu, one of the four Char Dham pilgrimage sites).<\/p><p>The <em>twelve Jyotirlingas<\/em> form a main <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"A person who undertakes a religiously motivated journey to a sacred place.\" tabindex=\"0\">pilgrimage<\/span> chain spanning India geographically: Somnath, Mallikarjuna, Mahakaleshwar (Ujjain), Omkareshwar, Kedarnath, Bhimashankar, Kashi-Vishwanath, Trimbakeshwar, Vaidyanath, Nageshwar, Rameshwar, Ghushmeshwar.<\/p><p>In the Tamil country, <strong>Chidambaram<\/strong>, as the Nataraja cult centre, is the <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"The academic study of God and the doctrines of a religion.\" tabindex=\"0\">theological<\/span> focal point of the Tamil Shaiva tradition. Internationally, Shiva is present in every Hindu <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"A building dedicated to the worship of one or more deities.\" tabindex=\"0\">temple<\/span> with Lingam veneration.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-db03c39 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"db03c39\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-229a87b e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"229a87b\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1f471fc elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"1f471fc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Source situation<\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-36b1201 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"36b1201\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Central sources: the <em>Rigveda<\/em> (Rudra hymns, especially RV 2.33), the <em>&Saacute;iva Pur&acirc;&#7751;a<\/em>, <em>Linga Pur&acirc;&#7751;a<\/em>, <em>Skanda Pur&acirc;&#7751;a<\/em>, <em>K&ucirc;rma Pur&acirc;&#7751;a<\/em>. Tantric texts: <em>Vij&ntilde;&acirc;na Bhairava T&acirc;ntra<\/em>, <em>M&acirc;linivijayottara T&acirc;ntra<\/em>, <em>Svacchanda T&acirc;ntra<\/em>, <em>Netra T&acirc;ntra<\/em>.<\/p><p>Tamil Bhakti: the <em>Tev&acirc;ram<\/em> of the three N&acirc;yan&acirc;rs (Sambandar, Appar, Sundarar) and the <em>Tiruv&acirc;cakam<\/em> of Manikkav&acirc;cakar. Kashmir Shaivism: Abhinavagupta&#8217;s <em>Tantr&acirc;loka<\/em>. Secondary literature: Doniger, <em>Asceticism and Eroticism in the <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"The totality of the transmitted divine narratives of a culture.\" tabindex=\"0\">Mythology<\/span> of &Saacute;iva<\/em> (classic study); Sanderson, <em>The &Saacute;aiva Age<\/em>; Kramrisch, <em>The Presence of &Saacute;iva<\/em>; Michaels, <em>Hinduism: Past and Present<\/em>.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3ae0637c e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"3ae0637c\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-31d07739 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"31d07739\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Name and variants<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b7642947 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"b7642947\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a086266 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a086266\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Shiva is depicted as a blue-throated god, often nude or clad in a tiger skin, his hair piled into a knot from which a crescent moon and the river Ganga flow down. His third eye, vertical on his forehead, becomes a weapon in anger.<\/p><p>The moon and the Ganga itself dwell in his hair. He carries a trident (Trishula), a small drum (Damaru) and serpents as <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"A decorative, often repeated element of a pattern.\" tabindex=\"0\">ornament<\/span>. The Lingam, an abstract, phallic form, is his primary object of veneration. The ash (Vibhuti) on his skin points to renunciation and cosmic destruction.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-709a44a8 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"709a44a8\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2f585873 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"2f585873\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Character traits<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-70621c12 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"70621c12\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4296eb49 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4296eb49\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Shiva represents the cosmic consciousness that destroys creatively in order to renew. His <em>Nataraja<\/em> dance is not cruel but necessary: without destruction, no rebirth. In meditation, yogis and ascetics identify themselves with Shiva; <em>Om Namah Shivaya<\/em> is the central <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" tabindex=\"0\" data-tooltip=\"A ritually repeated syllable or word formula with transformative effect; central in Indian traditions, adapted in the West as decree practice.\">mantra<\/span> of Shaivism.<\/p><p>Shivaratri, the Night of Shiva, is celebrated each year with night-long vigils, festivities and the <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"An ordered sequence of symbolic actions with religious or cultural meaning.\" tabindex=\"0\">ritual<\/span> handling of the Lingam. The lingas in <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"A structure that serves the veneration of one or more deities.\" tabindex=\"0\">temples<\/span> such as Varanasi are centres of intense veneration and pilgrimage.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-44e71476 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"44e71476\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3c1fc3f0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"3c1fc3f0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Profile: Shiva<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-84f33b8e e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"84f33b8e\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-hqkdc67p elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"hqkdc67p\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The most important aspects of &Saacute;iva at a glance. The following fields summarise origin, function, appearance, veneration, symbols and cultural parallels.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-pemmx7c5 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"pemmx7c5\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-pemmx7c1 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"pemmx7c1\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-qh9oavvu iwg-steckbrief-card e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"qh9oavvu\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-awzx8k2k elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"awzx8k2k\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Cultural context<\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-x6rowhv0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"x6rowhv0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>In one tradition Shiva emerges from the uncreated <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" tabindex=\"0\" data-tooltip=\"In Hinduism, the absolute, formless, attributeless being; reflected upon in the Upanishads as the ground of all phenomena.\">Brahman<\/span> itself, in another he is a son of Brahma&#8217;s creation.<\/p><p>He is the consort of <em>Parvati<\/em>, also in the aspects of <em>Sati<\/em> (his first wife), <em>Durga<\/em> (warrior) and <em>Kali<\/em> (raging destroyer). He is the father of the elephant-headed <em>Ganesha<\/em> and of the war god <em>Skanda \/ Murugan \/ Kartikeya<\/em>.<\/p><p>His abode is <em>Mt. Kailash<\/em> in the Himalaya. His mix of characters is unique in world <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"The totality of the inherited stories about the gods within a culture.\" tabindex=\"0\">mythology<\/span>: at once ascetic (<em>Mah&acirc;yog&icirc;<\/em>, meditating across aeons) and ecstatic dancer (<em>Nataraja<\/em>); at once the wrathful destroying god (Bhairava aspect) and the gentle, compassionate family man (with Parvati and the sons).<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8e3o4kxs iwg-steckbrief-card e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"8e3o4kxs\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-08rkdgov elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"08rkdgov\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Sphere of action<\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-uwjelx8s elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"uwjelx8s\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Within the Trimurti concept Shiva is the destroyer, but destruction is understood as a <em>necessary re-creation<\/em>: at the end of every Mah&acirc;-Yuga, Shiva destroys the universe through his cosmic dance (T&acirc;&#7751;&#7693;ava); from the ashes the next world arises. He is the patron of <em>ascetics<\/em> (<em>Sannyasi<\/em>, S&acirc;dhus, Aghoris), of yogis and Tantrikas.<\/p><p>In the Bhakti tradition he is the addressee of personal love of God (with the Tamil N&acirc;yan&acirc;rs as the most famous Shaiva Bhakti poets).<\/p><p>In the Lingam <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"The totality of religious acts of veneration directed toward a deity or sacred figure.\" tabindex=\"0\">cult<\/span> he is worshipped as the formless energy aspect; the <em>Lingam<\/em> (together with the <em>Yoni<\/em> as its base) symbolises the uncreated creative energy. In Kashmir Shaivism he is the highest reality of consciousness (<em>Param&acirc;&scaron;iva<\/em>).<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-jm2n74ec iwg-steckbrief-card e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"jm2n74ec\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8vufse4c elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"8vufse4c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Appearance<\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-mwb9u015 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"mwb9u015\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Anthropomorphic as an ascetic male figure with blue-grey skin (in Tantric tradition: covered in ash, &#8220;white as the snow of Kailash&#8221;). A <em>third eye<\/em> sits on his forehead (the eye of higher perception, with which he burns Kama, the god of love).<\/p><p>A <em>crescent moon<\/em> rests in his matted hair (<em>jata<\/em>), which catches the stream of the Ganga (the Ganga-Avatara&#7751;a <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"An inherited narrative about gods, origins and the order of the world.\" tabindex=\"0\">myth<\/span>). <em>Serpents<\/em> wind around his neck and serve as <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"Belonging to the divine and thereby withdrawn from everyday use.\" tabindex=\"0\">sacred<\/span> ornament.<\/p><p>He carries the <em>Trishula<\/em> (trident) and the <em>Damaru<\/em> (hourglass-shaped drum whose sound creates the universe). He wears a <em>tiger-skin loincloth<\/em>. In his <strong>Nataraja<\/strong> form he appears as a cosmically dancing figure within a ring of fire (<em>prabh&acirc;ma&#7751;&#7693;ala<\/em>): his right leg lifts, his left tramples the dwarf <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"A spiritual being to which harmful or ambivalent effects are attributed.\" tabindex=\"0\">demon<\/span> Apasm&acirc;ra (ignorance).<\/p><p>In <strong>Ardhanarishvara<\/strong> form he is androgynous, one half Shiva, the other Parvati. In <strong>Bhairava<\/strong> form he is wrathful with an ornament of skulls.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-pemmx7c2 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"pemmx7c2\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-37ss2yr6 iwg-steckbrief-card e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"37ss2yr6\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3v0wp3wx elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"3v0wp3wx\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Activity<\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-w3247g2m elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"w3247g2m\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>Sphere of action:<\/strong> Shiva is <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"The petitioning or invoking address to a deity or power.\" tabindex=\"0\">invoked<\/span> daily by hundreds of millions of Hindus. Principal festivals: <em>Maha-Shivaratri<\/em> (the great night of Shiva in February or March, one of the largest Hindu festivals, observed with night-long vigils in temples and Lingam Abhi&#7779;eka rituals), <em>K&acirc;rttika Pur&#7751;im&acirc;<\/em>, <em>Pradosha Vrata<\/em> (a bimonthly fast on the thirteenth lunar day).<\/p><p>In Varanasi, dying is held to grant direct entry into mok&#7779;a through the daily Shiva <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"The petitioning or summoning address to a deity or power.\" tabindex=\"0\">invocation<\/span> whispered into the ear of the dying.<\/p><p>Tantric practices belong to the Aghori and K&acirc;p&acirc;lika traditions (extreme asceticism, cremation-ground rites). Lingam veneration is central in every Shiva <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"A building dedicated to the worship of one or more deities.\" tabindex=\"0\">temple<\/span>; the Lingam is bathed with water, milk, honey, coconut milk and ghee (<em>Pa&ntilde;c&acirc;m&#7771;ta<\/em> Abhi&#7779;eka). In Chidambaram, the Dik&#7779;itar Brahmins have been performing the same Nataraja <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"A regulated sequence of symbolic actions with religious or cultural meaning.\" tabindex=\"0\">ritual<\/span> for more than a thousand years.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0qpjal9w iwg-steckbrief-card e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"0qpjal9w\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6ndoih0o elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"6ndoih0o\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Means of protection<\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6684tyh9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6684tyh9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Trishula (trident), Damaru (hourglass drum), third eye, crescent moon in the matted hair, serpent necklace (especially Vasuki), tiger-skin loincloth, the <em>Lingam<\/em> (a formless energy <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"A sign that stands in for an idea or meaning.\" tabindex=\"0\">symbol<\/span>, the most important Shiva <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"A sign that stands in for an idea or meaning.\" tabindex=\"0\">symbol<\/span> of all), the <em>Nandi<\/em> bull (his mount, always present at the entrance of Shiva temples), <em>vibh&ucirc;ti<\/em> (sacred ash, applied in three stripes on the forehead) and the <em>Rudr&acirc;k&#7779;a<\/em> <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"The verbal turning of a person toward a deity.\" tabindex=\"0\">prayer<\/span> mala (seeds of the sacred tree).<\/p><p>Sacred plants: the <em>Bilva<\/em> tree (Aegle marmelos, whose leaves are considered especially dear to Shiva), Datura, the banyan tree. Sacred ash from cremation grounds.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3lfi7x32 iwg-steckbrief-card e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"3lfi7x32\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0kg99ga1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"0kg99ga1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Counterparts<\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-n0fum6kp elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"n0fum6kp\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><em>Rudra<\/em> (Vedic predecessor), <em>Bhairava<\/em> (wrathful aspect, with its own page), <em>Mahakala<\/em> (in Buddhism, a <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" tabindex=\"0\" data-tooltip=\"'Diamond Vehicle'; Tantric form of Mahayana Buddhism, primarily in Tibet, centred on yidam practice and mantra technique.\">Vajrayana<\/span> adaptation as a wrathful protective <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"A being venerated as divine within a religion.\" tabindex=\"0\">deity<\/span>), <em>Pashupati<\/em> (&#8220;Lord of Animals&#8221;, a possible Indus Valley predecessor on prehistoric seals from Mohenjo-Daro), <em>Dionysos<\/em> (Greece, ecstatic and destructive aspect, with dance and a wine tradition), <em>Hades-Plouton<\/em> (Greece, the <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" tabindex=\"0\" data-tooltip=\"Belonging to the earth or underworld; in ancient religion the gods and spirits of the depths (Hades, Erinyes, Demeter chthonia).\">chthonic<\/span> fertility-double aspect), <em>Wotan-Odin<\/em> (Germanic, the one-eyed yogi-king) and <em>Cernunnos<\/em> (Celtic, horned forest ascetic god).<\/p><p>Functionally, all destroying and renewing high deities, all ascetic-Tantric teacher gods, share aspects of Shiva.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7533bc7a e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"7533bc7a\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2447d18d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"2447d18d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Protective practice<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d5d0260c e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"d5d0260c\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-341be2ac elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"341be2ac\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>Rituals of veneration<\/strong><\/p><p>Alongside Vishnu, Shiva is a principal god of Hinduism (Trimurti). Daily veneration includes <em>abhisheka<\/em> (anointing the linga with milk, honey, yogurt, ghee and water, the <em>panchamrita<\/em>) and <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"An offering to a deity to express gratitude, petition, or veneration.\" tabindex=\"0\">offerings<\/span> of Bilva leaves at the linga.<\/p><p>Mahashivaratri (in the month of Phalguna, February or March) is his principal festival, observed with night vigil and fasting (see Doniger, <em>Hindu Myths<\/em>). His most important pilgrimage destination is Varanasi (Kashi Vishvanath); the twelve Jyotirlinga <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"A sacred place dedicated to the veneration of a deity.\" tabindex=\"0\">sanctuaries<\/span> (Somnath, Mahakaleshwar, Kedarnath and others) shape regional devotional practice.<\/p><p><strong>Mantras and invocations<\/strong><\/p><p>The Mahamrityunjaya <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"A sacred syllable or formula repeatedly spoken in Hinduism and Buddhism.\" tabindex=\"0\">mantra<\/span> (Rigveda 7.59.12), &#8220;Om Tryambakam Yajamahe&#8221;, is India&#8217;s most famous mantra of healing and protection. The Panchakshara <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"A sacred syllable or formula repeatedly spoken in Hinduism and Buddhism.\" tabindex=\"0\">mantra<\/span> &#8220;Om Namah Shivaya&#8221; (Yajurveda) is recited in <em>japa<\/em> repetition 108 times with a Rudraksha mala. The Shiva Stuti from the Lingapurana is a liturgical standard.<\/p><p><strong><span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"A worn object to which a protective, misfortune-averting effect is attributed.\" tabindex=\"0\">Amulets<\/span> and protective symbols<\/strong><\/p><p>Rudraksha beads (seeds of the Eleocarpus fruit, &#8220;tears of Shiva&#8221;) strung on malas of 27, 54 or 108 beads. Vibhuti (sacred ash) is applied to the forehead as three horizontal stripes (<em>tripundra<\/em>). The Trishula (trident), the Damaru (hourglass drum) and the linga itself function as iconic <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"Plural of apotropaion: objects and signs intended to ward off misfortune.\" tabindex=\"0\">apotropaia<\/span>.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5a584676 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"5a584676\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6d0757bf elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"6d0757bf\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Shiva, parallels in other cultures<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-60563f68 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"60563f68\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5a93fdd6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5a93fdd6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<footer class=\"iwg-literatur\"><p>Shiva&#8217;s role as destroyer and renewer resembles that of Chronos among the Greeks or Loki in Norse <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"The totality of the inherited stories about the gods within a culture.\" tabindex=\"0\">mythology<\/span>, gods of dissolution. His asceticism recalls Hermes Trismegistos of the <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"Pre-modern union of natural philosophy and symbolic science; works with the transformation of matter as inner transformation.\" tabindex=\"0\">alchemical<\/span> tradition.<\/p><p>In modern <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"Collective term for teachings that claim a hidden knowledge accessible only to initiates.\" tabindex=\"0\">esoteric<\/span> movements Shiva is often understood as a <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"A sign that stands in for an idea or meaning.\" tabindex=\"0\">symbol<\/span> of inner transformation and spiritual power. The <em>Om Namah Shivaya<\/em> <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"A sacred syllable or formula repeatedly spoken in Hinduism and Buddhism.\" tabindex=\"0\">mantra<\/span> is firmly anchored in yoga circles worldwide.<\/p><div data-nosnippet=\"true\" class=\"iwg-litliste\"><\/div><\/footer>\n<p class=\"iwg-bib-more\"><span data-nosnippet>Further standard works in the <a href=\"\/en\/literature\/\">literature index<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cp4973181 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"cp4973181\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cp2e313a1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"cp2e313a1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Shiva as Nataraja: the dance of the world<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cpa6fd70e e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"cpa6fd70e\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cpfc5206b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"cpfc5206b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>One of the best-known and theologically densest manifestations of Shiva is <em>Nataraja<\/em> (&#8220;Lord of Dance&#8221;), the king of the dance.<\/p><p>This form was developed in particular in South India and found its <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"The era of Greek and Roman culture, roughly 800 BCE to 600 CE.\" tabindex=\"0\">classical<\/span> pictorial expression in the bronze art of the Chola dynasty between the 9th and 13th centuries. The Nataraja bronzes count among the most important works of Indian art history.<\/p><p>The depiction is a thoroughly composed theological image. Shiva dances inside a ring of flames that signifies the universe. Beneath his right foot he tramples a dwarf who embodies ignorance.<\/p><p>One of his hands holds a small drum whose beat marks the rhythm of creation. Another hand holds a flame, the sign of dissolution and destruction. A further hand displays the gesture of fearlessness, a fourth points to the raised foot, which promises liberation.<\/p><p>This single image gathers the five activities that Hindu <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"The scholarly doctrine of God and of the faith of a religion.\" tabindex=\"0\">theology<\/span> ascribes to Shiva: creation, preservation, dissolution, concealment and liberation. The dance is therefore not mere movement but the expression of the ongoing cosmic process in which becoming and passing away are inseparably bound.<\/p><p>The art historian Ananda Coomaraswamy elaborated this reading at length in a much-noted essay of the early 20th century. The most important cult site of this manifestation is the great <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"A building dedicated to the worship of one or more deities.\" tabindex=\"0\">temple<\/span> of Chidambaram in Tamil Nadu, regarded as the place where Shiva performed this dance.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cpaeb46c1 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"cpaeb46c1\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cp4f80a42 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"cp4f80a42\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The Lingam: Shiva's most important cult symbol<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cp746bbf0 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"cp746bbf0\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cp9e69fe3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"cp9e69fe3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Unlike many other Hindu deities, Shiva is venerated in the temple cult predominantly not in human form but in the form of the <em>Lingam<\/em>, a mostly cylindrical, rounded stone.<\/p><p>The Lingam usually stands on a base called <em>yoni<\/em>. Tradition interprets this combination as the joint working of the masculine and feminine principles, of Shiva and the Goddess.<\/p><p>The interpretation of the Lingam has been the subject of much debate. Older Western scholarship understood it primarily as a phallic <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"A sign that stands in for an idea or meaning.\" tabindex=\"0\">symbol<\/span>. The Hindu tradition itself and part of more recent scholarship emphasise a further layer of meaning: in Sanskrit the word <em>linga<\/em> also means sign or mark.<\/p><p>The Lingam is, accordingly, the sign of Shiva, a deliberately non-figurative form that precisely through this non-figurality expresses what is boundless and beyond every shape in the <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"A being venerated as divine within a religion.\" tabindex=\"0\">deity<\/span>.<\/p><p>A narrative of the <em>Lingapurana<\/em> reports that Shiva once appeared as an endless pillar of light whose beginning and end even Brahma and Vishnu could not find. The Lingam recalls this pillar without limits.<\/p><p>Lingams exist in numerous forms, from artfully crafted <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"A building dedicated to the worship of one or more deities.\" tabindex=\"0\">temple<\/span> Lingams, through the natural, not human-made stones regarded as especially <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"Belonging to the divine and thereby withdrawn from everyday use.\" tabindex=\"0\">sacred<\/span>, to the twelve <em>Jyotirlinga<\/em>, the light-Lingams distributed across India and counted as the most important Shiva sanctuaries.<\/p><p>In daily temple worship the Lingam is venerated with water, milk, leaves of the Bilva tree and other offerings. It is thus not an abstract <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"A sign that stands in for an idea or meaning.\" tabindex=\"0\">symbol<\/span> but the concrete centre of a living, everyday ritual practice.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cpda063b5 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"cpda063b5\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cpbaddc2a elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"cpbaddc2a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The ascetic on Mount Kailash: Shiva's character traits<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cp8eba809 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"cp8eba809\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cpd7a7d91 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"cpd7a7d91\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Shiva unites in his figure traits that at first sight seem irreconcilable. He is the great ascetic, <em>Mahayogi<\/em>, who rests motionless in meditation on Mount Kailash in the Himalaya, his body smeared with ash, his hair piled into matted locks.<\/p><p>At the same time he is a family father, married to the goddess Parvati and father of the sons Ganesha and Skanda. He is the lord of the wild animals and of the wilderness, wears a serpent as ornament and a tiger skin, yet also lives within his family.<\/p><p>This tension is not a contradiction in the <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"The transmission of knowledge and narratives across generations.\" tabindex=\"0\">tradition<\/span> but belongs to the theological core of the figure. Shiva stands for the overcoming of ordinary opposites.<\/p><p>He is the one who drinks poison and yet does not die: in the story of the churning of the milk ocean, Shiva swallows the world-poison that threatens to destroy creation and holds it back in his throat, which turns blue from it. From this he receives the <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"A fixed epithet that characterizes a deity or figure.\" tabindex=\"0\">epithet<\/span> <em>Nilakantha<\/em>, the Blue-Throated.<\/p><p>His firm attributes include the trident, the crescent-moon sign in his hair, the third eye on his forehead whose gaze can consume, and the sacred river Ganges, which according to <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"The transmission of knowledge and narratives across generations.\" tabindex=\"0\">tradition<\/span> descends to the earth over his head, slowed by his hair so that the force of the water does not destroy the earth.<\/p><p>His mount is the bull Nandi. In this wealth of features Shiva appears as a <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"A being venerated as divine within a religion.\" tabindex=\"0\">deity<\/span> that gathers the dangerous and the protective, the wild and the controlled, death and liberation into a single figure.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cp3deafac e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"cp3deafac\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cpe0713c3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"cpe0713c3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Shaivism: Shiva as ultimate reality<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cpe3d59a0 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"cpe3d59a0\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cp9cacd33 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"cp9cacd33\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Within Hinduism there is a comprehensive religious current that venerates Shiva not as one <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"A being venerated as divine within a religion.\" tabindex=\"0\">deity<\/span> among others but as the ultimate reality: Shaivism. This current is not a uniform entity but comprises numerous regionally and philosophically distinct schools that have developed over centuries.<\/p><p>One important school is Kashmir Shaivism, a philosophical tradition elaborated in northern India between the 9th and 11th centuries, whose most important thinker was Abhinavagupta. It understands all reality as the unfolding of the one consciousness, which is identified with Shiva.<\/p><p>Another important strand is Shaiva Siddhanta, especially widespread in South India, which developed its own doctrine concerning the relation of God, soul and world. Alongside these existed ascetic and at times socially separate groups, the earliest of which are already attested in the first centuries of our era.<\/p><p>An important movement within South Indian Shaivism were the Nayanars, a group of poet-saints of the early medieval period whose hymns in Tamil sing of Shiva in a tone of personal <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"A brief, personal or communal religious contemplation.\" tabindex=\"0\">devotion<\/span>. Their songs were collected and to this day belong to the liturgical repertoire of South Indian Shiva <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"A building dedicated to the worship of one or more deities.\" tabindex=\"0\">temples<\/span>.<\/p><p>Shaivism shows that Shiva is not only a mythological figure but the subject of fully developed <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"The scholarly doctrine of God and of the faith of a religion.\" tabindex=\"0\">theology<\/span> and philosophy. For his followers he is the ground and goal of everything, and the diversity of schools shows how differently this one conviction has been interpreted over the course of history.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cp4286f88 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"cp4286f88\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cp3aa6d6a elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"cp3aa6d6a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The sources: from Vedic Rudra to the Puranic age<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cp3b6167d e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"cp3b6167d\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cpfade2ec elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"cpfade2ec\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The figure of Shiva has a long prehistory that can be traced through the sources. In the oldest body of scripture, the <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"Oldest Indian scriptures (c. 1500 to 500 BCE); Rigveda, Samaveda, Yajurveda and Atharvaveda.\" tabindex=\"0\">Vedas<\/span>, the name Shiva does not yet appear as a divine name in its later sense. The word <em>shiva<\/em> initially means favourable or gracious and appears as an adjective.<\/p><p>One Vedic <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"A being venerated as divine within a religion.\" tabindex=\"0\">deity<\/span>, however, clearly bears traits that later become characteristic of Shiva: the god Rudra, a fearsome figure linked with storm, illness and the wilderness, whom one sought to render gracious through <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"The petitioning or summoning address to a deity or power.\" tabindex=\"0\">invocation<\/span>. It is precisely in such propitiating invocations that Rudra was given the epithet <em>shiva<\/em>.<\/p><p>Out of this Vedic root, and presumably out of further, non-Vedic traditions as well, the classical Shiva figure developed over several centuries. An important intermediate stage is the <em>Shvetashvatara Upanishad<\/em>, in which Rudra-Shiva already appears as the ultimate <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"A being venerated as divine within a religion.\" tabindex=\"0\">deity<\/span>.<\/p><p>The most detailed mythological narratives are then found in the epics, above all in the <em>Mahabharata<\/em>, and in the Puranas, an extensive body of literature that arose between the early and high medieval periods. Texts such as the <em>Shivapurana<\/em> and the <em>Lingapurana<\/em> bundle this mythological material.<\/p><p>Some scholars have further suggested that roots reaching back to the Indus culture lie behind the figure and have pointed to certain seal finds that show a seated figure surrounded by animals. This interpretation is, however, highly contested and cannot be proven.<\/p><p>What is certain is that the Shiva figure is the result of a long process in which older deities, regional traditions and theological reflection flowed together.<\/p><p>Anyone who wishes to understand Shiva historically must observe this stratification and should not without further ado project the fully developed figure of the Puranas back into the early period.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-36dd7469 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"36dd7469\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-13760ab4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"13760ab4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Further reading and links<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-28c87796 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"28c87796\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5d6538df elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5d6538df\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li><a href=\"\/en\/ganesha\/\">Ganesha, his son (with the elephant head)<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"\/en\/bhairava\/\">Bhairava, his own wrathful aspect<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"\/en\/mahakala\/\">Mahakala, Tantric-Buddhist adaptation<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"\/en\/kali\/\">Kali, female wrathful parallel (Parvati aspect)<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"\/en\/durga\/\">Durga, female warrior parallel (Parvati aspect)<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"\/en\/hinduism\/\">Hinduism, pantheon overview<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"\/en\/high-deities\/\">High deities, sub-category<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"\/en\/gods\/\">Gods, class overview<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-grl4kl40 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"grl4kl40\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bzsbfrmh elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"bzsbfrmh\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Research literature<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2c13224a e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"2c13224a\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0eymh9ub elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0eymh9ub\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<footer class=\"iwg-literatur\" data-nosnippet=\"true\"><ul><li><span data-nosnippet>Doniger, Wendy: <em>Asceticism and Eroticism in the Mythology of &Saacute;iva<\/em>. London 1973 (standard work).<\/span><\/li><li><span data-nosnippet>Sanderson, Alexis: <em>The &Saacute;aiva Age<\/em>. In: <em>Genesis and Development of Tantrism<\/em>. Tokyo 2009.<\/span><\/li><li><span data-nosnippet>Kramrisch, Stella: <em>The Presence of &Saacute;iva<\/em>. Princeton 1981.<\/span><\/li><li><span data-nosnippet>Michaels, Axel: <em>Hinduism. Past and Present<\/em>. Munich 1998.<\/span><\/li><li><span data-nosnippet>Lorenzen, David N.: <em>The K&acirc;palikas and K&acirc;l&acirc;mukhas<\/em>. Berkeley 1972.<\/span><\/li><li>Sambandar, Appar, Sundarar: <em>Tev&acirc;ram<\/em>; Manikkav&acirc;cakar: <em>Tiruv&acirc;cakam<\/em> (Tamil Bhakti, translations available).<\/li><li>Walde, Christine (ed.): <em>Der Neue Pauly<\/em> (lemma &#8220;&Saacute;iva&#8221;).<\/li><\/ul><\/footer>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-52a9727 e-con-boxed e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"52a9727\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3ea6358 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3ea6358\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>Frequently asked questions about Shiva<\/h2><div class=\"iwg-faq-q\"><h3>Who is the god Shiva in Hinduism?<\/h3><p>Shiva is one of the three principal gods of Hinduism, alongside Brahma (the creator) and Vishnu (the preserver). Shiva is the destroyer, but in Hindu understanding destruction is necessary for renewal: he dissolves the universe at the end of a world age so that it can be created anew.<\/p><p>Shiva&#8217;s main attributes are the trident (Trishul), the drum (Damaru), the third eye (the eye of knowledge), the serpent around his neck (Vasuki) and the crescent moon in his hair. He meditates on Mount Kailash.<\/p><\/div><div class=\"iwg-faq-q\"><h3>What is the dance of Shiva (Nataraja)?<\/h3><p>Shiva Nataraja (&#8220;Lord of Dance&#8221;) is one of the most important forms of Shiva: the cosmic dancer who in his Tandava dance creates, preserves and destroys the universe at the same time.<\/p><p>The famous bronze sculptures from the Chola period (10th to 12th century) show him four-armed within a ring of flames, dancing upon the dwarf Apasmara (ignorance). Every gesture has meaning: the raised foot is liberation, the dwarf pressed down is ignorance overcome. The dance is an <span class=\"iwg-fachbegriff\" data-tooltip=\"A vivid image that stands for an abstract idea.\" tabindex=\"0\">emblem<\/span> of the cosmic rhythm.<\/p><\/div><script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"FAQPage\",\"mainEntity\":[{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Who is the god Shiva in Hinduism?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Shiva is one of the three principal gods of Hinduism, alongside Brahma (the creator) and Vishnu (the preserver). Shiva is the destroyer, but in Hindu understanding destruction is necessary for renewal: he dissolves the universe at the end of a world age so that it can be created anew. Shiva's main attributes are the trident (Trishul), the drum (Damaru), the third eye (the eye of knowledge), the serpent around his neck (Vasuki) and the crescent moon in his hair. 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GodHinduism Table of contents Shiva Shiva is one of the three gods of the Trimurti, the cosmic triad that creates, preserves and destroys the universe. With his third eye that turns worlds [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":4202,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"elementor_header_footer","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_focuskw":"Shiva","_yoast_wpseo_title":"Shiva: Destroyer and Renewer of the Hindu Trimurti","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Shiva, destroyer and renewer of the Hindu Trimurti. 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