Shiva A statue in Bangalore depicting Shiva meditating Devanagari: शिव Abode: Mount Kailāsa[1] Mantra: Aum Namah Sivaya Weapon: Trident (Trishul) Consort: Parvati or Sati or Shakti or Durga Mount: Nandi (bull)

Shiva (IAST: Shiva, also spelled Shiva; Hindi, Shiv , Bengali, Shib, Telugu: శివుడు ) is one of the principal deities of Hinduism. Often called "the Destroyer", Shiva is one of the Trimurti, along with Brahma the Creator and Vishnu the Preserver. Within Shaivism he is viewed as the supreme deity, where as in other branches of Hinduism such as the Smarta tradition he is worshipped as one of five manifestations of the divine. Followers of Hinduism who focus their worship upon Shiva are called Shaivites or Shaivas (Sanskrit Śaiva).^[2] His role as the primary deity of Shaivism is reflected in his epithets Mahādeva ("great god"; mahā = great + deva = god),^[3][4] Maheśvara ("great lord"; mahā = great + īśvara = lord),^[5][6] and Parameśvara ("Supreme Lord").^[7] Shaivism, along with Vaiṣṇava traditions that focus on Vishnu, and Śākta traditions that focus on the goddess (Devī) are three of the most influential denominations in Hinduism.^[8] // Siva, Shiva, and similar may refer to: Shiva or Åšiva, Hindu God Shaivism, religion devoted to Shiva Shivā, another name of Parvati, Shivs consort Shiva (Judaism), Jewish ritual of mourning Å iva or Å iwa, Slavic goddess Shiva (strain), strain of Cannabis sativa subsp. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (768x1024, 106 KB) Summary This image has been (or is hereby) released into the public domain by its creator, Deepak gupta. ... For other uses, see Bangalore (disambiguation). ... Mount Kailash (officially: Kangrinboqê; Tibetan: Gang Rinpoche, གངས་རིན་པོཅཧེ་; Wylie: Gangs Rin-po-che; ZWPY: Kangrinboqê; Simplified Chinese: ; Traditional Chinese: ; pinyin: ; Hindi कैलाश पर्वत, Kailāśā Parvata) is a peak in the Gangdisê mountains, the source of some of the longest rivers in Asia—the Indus River, the Sutlej River, a tributary of the Ganges... Aum Namah Åšivāya (IAST transliteration, refer to Sanskrit for pronunciation, Devanagari: ॐ नमः शिवाय) is among the foremost Vedic mantras. ... Trishul or trishul refers to: A trishul is a type of traditional trident in some parts of India, seen as part of traditional religion, but which can also be used as a lethal weapon. ... For the Harry Potter character, see Parvati Patil. ... Sati may refer to any of the following: The Hindu Goddess Sati, daughter of Daksha and wife of Shiva A social practise in some parts of India in past centuries, often spelt Suttee The Buddhist Sati; see mindfulness. ... Lakshmi is a common aspect of Shakti Shakti meaning force, power or energy is the Hindu concept or personification of Gods female aspect, sometimes referred to as The Divine Mother. Shakti represents the active, dynamic principles of feminine power. ... In Hinduism, Durga (Sanskrit: ) is a form of Devi, the supreme goddess. ... An idol of Nandi in a Chennai temple The largest idol of Nandi is at the Dodda Ganeshana Gudi, Bangalore. ... IAST, or International Alphabet of Sanskrit Transliteration is the academic standard for writing the Sanskrit language with the Latin alphabet and very similar to National Library at Calcutta romanization standard being used with many Indic scripts. ... Telugu may refer to: Telugu language Telugu literature Telugu people Telugu script Telugu films Look up Telugu in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... This article is about the term Deity in the context of mysticism and theology. ... hinduism also involves the exchange of male pun. ... This article is about the Hindu gods. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Vishnu (IAST , Devanagari ), (honorific: Sri Vishnu) also known as Narayana is the Supreme Being (i. ... This article is about the religion Shaivism. ... Smarta is a Hindu follower of Smartism. ... Parameshwara, also transliterated from Sanskrit in various other ways, literally means the Supreme God. ... Vishnu (IAST , Devanagari ), (honorific: Sri Vishnu) also known as Narayana is the Supreme Being (i. ... It has been suggested that Shri Vidya be merged into this article or section. ...

Shiva is one of the five primary forms of the Divine in Smartism, a denomination of Hinduism that puts particular emphasis on five deities, the other four being Vishnu, Devi, Ganesha, and Surya.^[9] Another way of thinking about the divinities in Hinduism identifies Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva as each representing one of the three primary aspects of the divine in Hinduism, known collectively as the Trimurti. In the Trimurti system, Brahma is the creator, Vishnu is the maintainer or preserver, and Shiva is the destroyer or transformer.^[10] Smartism[1], (or Smarta Sampradaya, Smarta Tradition, as termed in Sanskrit), is a denomination of the Hindu religion. ... hinduism also involves the exchange of male pun. ... Vishnu (IAST , Devanagari ), (honorific: Sri Vishnu) also known as Narayana is the Supreme Being (i. ... It has been suggested that Shri Vidya be merged into this article or section. ... For other uses, see Ganesha (disambiguation). ... In Hinduism, Surya (Devanagari: सूर्य, sūrya) is the chief solar deity,one of the Adityas, son of Kasyapa and one of his wife Aditi[1] ,in Nordics Tyr he is said to be the son of Dyaus Pitar. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... This article is about the Hindu gods. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Vishnu (IAST , Devanagari ), (honorific: Sri Vishnu) also known as Narayana is the Supreme Being (i. ...

Shiva is usually represented by the Shiva linga. In images, he is generally represented as immersed in deep meditation. It has been suggested that Shiva lingham stones be merged into this article or section. ...

Etymology

The Sanskrit word śiva (Devanagari शिव) is an adjective meaning kind, friendly, gracious, or auspicious.^[11][12] As a proper name it means "The Auspicious One", used as a euphemistic name for Rudra.^[13] In simple English transliteration it is written either as Shiva or Siva. Pronunciation is written in the International Phoentic Alphabet as IPA: [ɕivə]. The adjective śiva meaning "auspicious" is used as an attributive epithet not particularly of Rudra, but of several other Vedic deities.^[14] In the Rig Veda, Indra uses this word to describe himself several times. (2:20:3, 6:45:17, 8:93:3) Rigveda manuscript in Devanagari (early 19th century) DevanāgarÄ« (देवनागरी — in English pronounced ) (ISCII – IS13194:1991) [1] is an abugida alphabet used to write several Indian languages, including Sanskrit, Hindi, Marathi, Kashmiri, Sindhi, Bihari, Bhili, Konkani, Bhojpuri and Nepali from Nepal. ... Rudra (Sanskrit: रुद्रः) (Howler) is a Rigvedic God of the storm, the hunt, death, Nature and the Wind. ... The Rig Veda ऋग्वेद (Sanskrit ṛc praise + veda knowledge) is the earliest of the four Hindu religious scriptures known as the Vedas. ... For other uses, see Indra (disambiguation). ...

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 one of those sects.^[15] It is used as an adjective to characterize certain beliefs and practices, such as Shaivism.^[16] This article is about the religion Shaivism. ...

The name Shiva is also said to have derived from the Dravidian word “Siva” meaning “to be red”. It is the equivalent of Rudra, “the red” RigVeda.^[17]

Historical development

For the early history see Rudra

The worship of Shiva is a pan-Hindu tradition, practiced widely across all of India.^[18][19] Modern historians believe that the figure of Shiva as we know him today was built-up over time, with the ideas of many regional cults being amalgamated into a single figure.^[20] How the persona of Shiva converged as a composite deity is not well-documented.^[21] Axel Michaels explains the composite nature of Shaivism as follows: Rudra (Sanskrit: रुद्रः) (Howler) is a Rigvedic God of the storm, the hunt, death, Nature and the Wind. ...

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.^[22]

An example of assimilation took place in Maharashtra, where a regional deity named Khandoba is a patron deity of farming and herding castes.^[23] The foremost center of worship of Khandoba in Maharashtra is in Jejuri.^[24] Khandoba has been assimilated both as a name for Karttikya^[25] and also as a form of Shiva himself^[26] in which case he is worshipped in the form of a lingam.^[27][28] Shakti M. Gupta clarifies the possible confusion between these two identifications by explaining that one of Karttikeya's functions is as the patron deity of thieves, and it is in this capacity that the tribe called Ramoshis, who are thieves by profession, worship Khandoba.^[29] Khandoba's varied associations also include an indentification with Surya.^[30] The derivation of the name Khandoba has been variously interpreted, and M. S. Mate says that the most commonly-held belief is that it was a distorted form of Skanda, but also notes alternate theories.^[31] , Maharashtra (Marathi: महाराष्ट्र , IPA  , translation: Great Nation) is Indias third largest state in area and second largest in population after Uttar Pradesh. ... Khandoba and Mhalsa killing demons Mani-Malla - Lithograph c. ... Farming, ploughing rice paddy, in Indonesia Agriculture is the process of producing food, feed, fiber and other desired products by cultivation of certain plants and the raising of domesticated animals (livestock). ... A man herding goats in Tunisia Herding is the act of bringing individual animals together into a group, maintaining the group and moving the group from place to place—or any combination of those. ... Caste systems are traditional, hereditary systems of social classification, that evolved due to the enormous diversity in India (where all three primary races met, not by forced slavery but by immigration). ... Jejuri is a city and a municipal council in Pune district in the Indian state of Maharashtra. ... It has been suggested that Shiva lingham stones be merged into this article or section. ...

The Pashupati seal

An Indus Valley seal with the seated figure termed pashupati

A seal discovered during excavation of the Mohenjo-daro archaeological site in the Indus Valley has drawn attention as a possible representation of a "proto-Shiva" figure.^[32] This "Pashupati" (Lord of Animals,or Lord of Beings Sanskrit paśupati)^[33] seal shows a seated figure, possibly ithyphallic, surrounded by animals.^[34] 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. Image File history File links This work is copyrighted. ... Image File history File links This work is copyrighted. ... Mohenjo-daro (literally, mound of the dead), like Harappa, was a city of the Indus Valley civilization. ... Excavated ruins of Mohenjo-daro. ... Pashupati(Sanskrit: lord of animals) is a god associated with animals and nature. ...

This claim has not fared well with some modern academics. Gavin Flood characterizes these views as "speculative", saying that while it is not clear from the seal that the figure has three faces, is seated in a yoga posture, or even that the shape is intended to represent a human figure, it is nevertheless possible that there are echoes of Shaiva iconographic themes, such as half-moon shapes resembling the horns of a bull.^[35][36] Historian John Keay is more specifically dismissive, saying:

...there is little evidence for the currency of this myth. Rudra, a Vedic deity later identified with Shiva, is indeed referred to as pasupati because of his association with cattle; but asceticism and meditation were not Rudra's specialties, nor is he usually credited with an empathy for animals other than kine. More plausibly, it has been suggested that the Harappan figure's heavily horned headgear bespeaks a bull cult, to which numerous other representations of bulls lend substance.^[37]

Rudra

Main article: Rudra

Shiva as we know him today shares many features with the Vedic god Rudra^[38] 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. Rudra (Sanskrit: रुद्रः) (Howler) is a Rigvedic God of the storm, the hunt, death, Nature and the Wind. ... Rudra (Sanskrit: रुद्रः) (Howler) is a Rigvedic God of the storm, the hunt, death, Nature and the Wind. ... For other uses, see Storm (disambiguation). ...

The oldest surviving text of Hinduism is the Rig Veda, which is dated to between 1700–1100 BCE based on linguistic and philological evidence.^[39] 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 Maruts", a group of storm gods.^[40] Rig veda is the oldest text in the world. ... For the journal, see Linguistics (journal). ... Philology, etymologically, is the love of words. It is most accurately defined as an affinity toward the learning of the backgrounds as well as the current usages of spoken or written methods of human communication. The commonality of studied languages is more important than their origin or age (that is... Rudra (Sanskrit: रुद्रः) (Howler) is a Rigvedic God of the storm, the hunt, death, Nature and the Wind. ...

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

To what extent Śiva's origins are in fact to be sought in Rudra is extremely unclear. The tendency to consider Śiva an ancient god is based on this identification, even though the facts that justify such a far-reaching assumption are meager.^[41]

Rudra is called "The Archer" (Sanskrit: Śarva)^[42] and the arrow is an essential attribute of Rudra.^[43] 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.^[44] The word is derived from the Sanskrit root śarv- which means "to injure" or "to kill"^[45] and Sharma uses that general sense in his interpretive translation of the name Śarva as "One who can kill the forces of darkness".^[46] The names Dhanvin ("Bowman")^[47] and Bāṇahasta ("Archer", literally "Armed with arrows in his hands")^[48][49] 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.^[50] Chinese (Wu Xing) Japanese (Godai) Earth (地) | Water (æ°´) | Fire (火) | Air / Wind (風) | Void / Sky / Heaven (空) Hinduism (Tattva) and Buddhism (MahābhÅ«ta) Vayu / Pavan — Air / Wind Agni / Tejas — Fire Akasha — Aether Prithvi / Bhumi — Earth Ap / Jala — Water Bön New Zealand Agni is a Hindu and Vedic deity. ... For other uses, see Indra (disambiguation). ... In Hinduism, Prajapati is Lord of Creatures, thought to be depicted on ancient Harappan seals, sitting in yogic posture, with an erection and what appear to be bison horns. ... Chinese Wood (木) | Fire (火) Earth (土) | Metal (金) | Water (æ°´) Japanese Earth (地) | Water (æ°´) | Fire (火) | Air / Wind (風) | Void / Sky / Heaven (空) Hinduism and Buddhism Vayu / Pavan — Air / Wind Agni / Tejas — Fire Akasha — Aether Prithvi / Bhumi — Earth Ap / Jala — Water In Hinduism, Vayu (Sanskrit वायु (properly transliterated as Vāyu), also known as Vāta वात, Pavana पवन, or Pr...

Agni

Rudra and Agni have a close relationship.^[51][52] 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.^[53] The identification of Agni with Rudra is explicitly noted in the Nirukta, an important early text on etymology, which says "Agni is called Rudra also".^[54] The interconnections between the two deities are complex, and according to Stella Kramrisch: Nirukta is Vedic glossary of difficult words. ...

The fire myth of Rudra-Śiva plays on the whole gamut of fire, valuing all its potentialities and phases, from conflagration to illumination.^[55]

In the Śatarudrīa, some epithets of Rudra such as Sasipañjara ("Of golden red hue as of flame") and Tivaṣīmati ("Flaming bright") suggest a fusing of the two deities.^[56] Agni is said to be a bull^[57] and Lord Shiva possesses a bull as his vehicle, Nandi. The horns of Agni, who is sometimes characterized as a bull, are mentioned.^[58][59] In medieval sculpture both Agni and the form of Shiva known as Bhairava have flaming hair as a special feature.^[60] The Shri Rudram Chamakam (Sanskrit श्रि रुद्रम् चमकम्) is a Vedic stotra dedicated to Rudra (an early epithet for the Hindu god Shiva). ... An idol of Nandi in a Chennai temple The largest idol of Nandi is at the Dodda Ganeshana Gudi, Bangalore. ...

Indra

The Indologist, Koenraad Elst proposes that Shiva of Puranic Hinduism is a continuation of the Vedic Indra.^{[citation needed]} 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. (2.20.3,^[61] 6.45.17,^[62][63] and 8.93.3.^[64] Koenraad Elst is a Belgian orientalist, writer and researcher[1]. He has authored fifteen books on topics related to Hinduism, Indian history, and Indian politics. ... For other uses, see Indra (disambiguation). ... This article is about the Vedic plant and ritual. ... “Om” redirects here. ...

Indra, like Shiva, is likened to a bull.^[65][66]

In the Rig Veda, Rudra is the father of the Maruts, but he is never associated with their warlike exploits as is Indra.^[67] In Hinduism the Maruts, also known as the Marutgana and the Rudras, are storm deities and sons of Rudra and Diti and attendants of Indra. ...

Indra himself is called shiva several times (Rg-Veda 2:20:3, 6:45:17, 8:93:3).

Attributes of Shiva

Shiva Bearing the Descent of the Ganges River as Parvati and Bhagiratha, and the bull Nandi look, folio from a Hindi manuscript by the saint Narayan, circa 1740

• Third Eye: Shiva is often depicted with a third eye with which he burned Desire (Kāma) to ashes.^[68] There has been controversy regarding the original meaning of Shiva's name Tryambakam (Sanskrit: त्र्यम्बकम्), which occurs in many scriptural sources.^[69] 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".^[70] However, in Vedic Sanskrit the word ambā or ambikā means "mother", and this early meaning of the word is the basis for the translation "Having Three Mothers" that was used by Max Müller and Arthur Macdonell.^[71][72] Since no story is known in which Shiva had three mothers, E. Washburn Hopkins suggested that the name refers not to three mothers, but to three Mother-goddesses who are collectively called the Ambikās.^[73] Other related translations have been "having three wives or sisters", or 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.^[74]

• Blue Throat: The epithet Nīlakaṇtha (Sanskrit नीलकण्ठ; nīla = blue, kaṇtha = throat)^[75][76] refers to a story in which Shiva drank the poison churned up from the world ocean.^[77][78] (see: Halāhala)

• Crescent Moon: Shiva bears on his head the crescent of the moon.^[79] The epithet Chandraśekhara (Sanskrit: चन्द्रशेखर "Having the moon as his crest" - chandra = Moon, śekhara = crest, crown)^[80][81][82] refers to this feature. The placement of the moon on his head as a standard iconographic feature dates to the period when Rudra rose to prominence and became the major deity Rudra-Shiva.^[83] The origin of this linkage may be due to the identification of the moon with Soma, and there is a hymn in the Rig Veda where Soma and Rudra are jointly emplored, and in later literature Soma and Rudra came to be identified with one another, as were Soma and the Moon.^[84]

• Matted Hair: Shiva's distinctive hair style is noted in the epithets Jaṭin, "The One with matted hair"^[85] and Kapardin, "Endowed with matted hair"^[86] or "wearing his hair wound in a braid in a shell-like (kaparda) fashion".^[87] 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.^[88]

• Sacred Ganga: The Ganga rivers flows from the matted hair of Shiva. The epithet Gaṅgādhara ("Bearer of the river Gaṅgā") refers to this feature.^[89][90] The Ganga (Ganges), one of the major rivers of the country, is said to have made her abode in Shiva's hair.^[91]

• Ashes: Shiva smears his body with ashes (bhasma).^[92] Some forms of Shiva, such as Bhairava, are associated with a very old Indian tradition of cremation-ground asceticism that was practiced by some groups who were outside the fold of brahmanic orthodoxy.^[93] These practices associated with cremation grounds are also mentioned in the Pali canon of Theravada Buddhism.^[94] One epithet for Shiva is "Inhabitant of the cremation ground" (Sanskrit: śmaśānavāsin, also spelled Shmashanavasin) referring to this connection.^[95]

• Tiger skin: He is often shown seated upon a tiger skin.^[96]

• Serpents: Shiva is often shown garlanded with a snake.^[97]

• Trident: (Sanskrit: Trishula) Shiva's particular weapon is the trident.^[98]

• Drum: A small drum shaped like an hourglass is known as a "damaru" (Sanskrit: ḍamaru).^[99][100] This is one of the attributes of Shiva in his famous dancing representation^[101] known as Nataraja. A specific hand gesture (mudra) called ḍamaru-hasta (Sanskrit for "ḍamaru-hand") is used to hold the drum.^[102] This drum is particularly used as an emblem by members of the Kāpālika sect.^[103]

• Nandī, also known as Nandin, is the name of the bull that serves as Shiva's mount (Sanskrit: vāhana).^[104][105] Shiva's association with cattle is reflected in his name Paśupati or Pashupati (Sanskrit पशुपति), translated by Sharma as "Lord of cattle"^[106] and by Kramrisch as "Lord of Animals", who notes that it is particularly used as an epithet of Rudra.^[107]

• Gaṇa : In Hinduism, the Gaṇas (Devanagari: गण) are attendants of Shiva and live in Kailasa. Ganesha was chosen as their leader by Shiva, hence Ganesha's title gaṇa-īśa or gaṇa-pati, "lord of the gaṇas".^[108]

• Mount Kailāsa in the Himalayas is his traditional abode.^[109] In Hindu mythology, Mount Kailāsa is conceived as resembling a linga, representing the center of the universe.^[110]

• Varanasi (Benares) is considered as the city specially-loved by Shiva, and is one of the holiest places of pilgrimage in India.^[111]

Image File history File links Size of this preview: 439 × 599 pixelsFull resolution (469 × 640 pixel, file size: 122 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg)Shiva Bearing the Descent of the Ganges River as Parvati and Bhagiratha look, folio from a Hindi manuscript by the saint Narayan, circa 1740 Painting; Watercolor... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 439 × 599 pixelsFull resolution (469 × 640 pixel, file size: 122 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg)Shiva Bearing the Descent of the Ganges River as Parvati and Bhagiratha look, folio from a Hindi manuscript by the saint Narayan, circa 1740 Painting; Watercolor... 17th century representation of the third eye connection to the higher worlds by alchemist Robert Fludd. ... Max Müller as a young man Friedrich Max Müller (December 6, 1823 – October 28, 1900), more commonly known as Max Müller, was a German philologist and Orientalist, one of the founders of Indian studies, who virtually created the discipline of comparative religion. ... Arthur Anthony Macdonell (1854 - 1930), 7th of Lochgarry, was a noted Sanskrit scholar. ... Poison from the sea when Suras (Gods) and Asuras (Demons) churned the sea in order to get the bounties. ... This article is about the Hindu moon deity. ... This article is about the Vedic plant and ritual. ... “Ganga” redirects here. ... Gangadhara Gangadhara refers to a form of the Hindu god Shiva, in His aspect as the one who tamed the river Goddess Ganga, so that She would flow from His locks to the Earth. ... In Hinduism, the river Ganga (Sanskrit and Hindi गंगा Gaá¹…gā) or Ganges River (as called by westerners) is considered sacred. ... For other uses, see Tiger (disambiguation). ... A Trishula Trisula redirects here. ... Bronze Chola Statue of Nataraja Nataraja (literally, The King of Dance) is the dancing posture of Lord Åšiva, the aspect of God as the Destroyer in Hinduism. ... A mudrā (Sanskrit, मुद्रा, literally seal) is a symbolic gesture usually made with the hand or fingers. ... An idol of Nandi in a Chennai temple The largest idol of Nandi is at the Dodda Ganeshana Gudi, Bangalore. ... The worship of the Sacred Bull throughout the ancient world is most familiar in the episode of the idol of the Golden Calf made by Aaron and worshipped by the Hebrews in the wilderness of Sinai (Exodus). ... In Indian mythology, the vahana is the object or vehicle that serves a divinity. ... Pashupati(Sanskrit: lord of animals) is a god associated with animals and nature. ... In Hinduism, Ganas are attendants of Shiva and live in Kailasa. ... hinduism also involves the exchange of male pun. ... Rigveda manuscript in Devanagari (early 19th century) DevanāgarÄ« (देवनागरी — in English pronounced ) (ISCII – IS13194:1991) [1] is an abugida alphabet used to write several Indian languages, including Sanskrit, Hindi, Marathi, Kashmiri, Sindhi, Bihari, Bhili, Konkani, Bhojpuri and Nepali from Nepal. ... Kailasa (also called Kailash) is believed to be the home of Lord Shiva by Hindus, and is a pilgrimage site. ... For other uses, see Ganesha (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Ganesha (disambiguation). ... Mount Kailash (officially: Kangrinboqê; Tibetan: Gang Rinpoche, གངས་རིན་པོཅཧེ་; Wylie: Gangs Rin-po-che; ZWPY: Kangrinboqê; Simplified Chinese: ; Traditional Chinese: ; pinyin: ; Hindi कैलाश पर्वत, Kailāśā Parvata) is a peak in the Gangdisê mountains, the source of some of the longest rivers in Asia—the Indus River, the Sutlej River, a tributary of the Ganges... For the movie Himalaya, see Himalaya (film). ... , Varanasi (Sanskrit: वाराणसी VārāṇasÄ«, IPA:  ), also known as Benares (Hindi: , Urdu: , IPA: ), or Kashi (Hindi: ), is a famous Hindu holy city situated on the banks of the river Ganges (Ganga) in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. ...

Forms and depictions

According to Gavin Flood, "Śiva is a god of ambiguity and paradox", whose attributes include opposing themes.^[112] The ambivalent nature of this deity is apparent in some of his names and the stories told about him.

Destroyer versus benefactor

In the Yajurveda two contrary sets of attributes for both malignant or terriffic (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 cult of later ages are to be found here."^[113] In the Mahabharata, Shiva is depicted as "the standard of invincibility, might, and terror", as well as a figure of honor, delight, and brilliance.^[114] The duality of Shiva's fearful and auspicious attributes appears in contrasted names. The Yajurveda (Sanskrit , a tatpurusha compound of sacrifice + knowledge) is one of the four Hindu Vedas. ...

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."^[115] 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".^[116] R. K. Sharma follows this alternate etymology and translates the name as "Terrible".^[117] 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."^[118] Kramrisch translates it as "The Ravisher".^[119] Another of Shiva's fearsome forms is as Kāla (Sanskrit: काल), "Time", and as Mahākāla (Sanskrit: महाकाल), "Great Time", which ultimately destroys all things.^{[120][121][122]} Bhairava (Sanskrit: भैरव), "Terrible" or "Frightful"^[123] is a fierce form associated with annihilation.^[124] Rudra (Sanskrit: रुद्रः) (Howler) is a Rigvedic God of the storm, the hunt, death, Nature and the Wind. ... Bhairava (भैरव) is a name of the fearsome aspect of the god Shiva. ...

In contrast, the name Śaṇkara (Sanskrit शङ्कर), "Beneficent"^[125] or "Conferring Happiness"^[126] reflects his benign form. This name was adopted by the great Vedanta philosopher Śaṇkara (c. 788-820 CE), who is also known as Shankaracharya.^[127][128] The name Śambhu (Sanskrit: शम्भु), "Causing Happiness", also reflects this benign aspect.^[129][130] Adi Shankara (Malayalam: ആദി ശങ്കരന്‍, DevanāgarÄ«: , , IPA: ); c. ...

Ascetic versus householder

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

He is depicted as both an ascetic yogin and as a householder, roles which are mutually exclusive in Hindu society.^[131] When depicted as a yogin he may be shown sitting and meditating.^[132] His epithet Mahāyogin (The Great Yogi: Mahā = great, Yogin = one who practices Yoga) refers to his association with yoga.^[133] While Vedic religion was conceived mainly in terms of sacrifice, it was during the Epic period that 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.^[134] Image File history File links Size of this preview: 474 × 599 pixelsFull resolution (600 × 758 pixel, file size: 239 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg)Shiva and Parvati with Their Children Ganesha and Karttikeya (Skanda) ca. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 474 × 599 pixelsFull resolution (600 × 758 pixel, file size: 239 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg)Shiva and Parvati with Their Children Ganesha and Karttikeya (Skanda) ca. ... For the Harry Potter character, see Parvati Patil. ... For other uses, see Ganesha (disambiguation). ... Murugan (also Murugan) (Tamil: ) is a popular Hindu deity amongst Tamil Hindus. ... A sculpture of a Hindu yogi in the Birla Mandir, Delhi A yogi (Sanskrit feminine: yogini) is a term for a male who practices various forms of the path of Yoga, maintaining a steadfast mind, the process of transcending the lower self. ... For other uses, see Yoga (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Yoga (disambiguation). ... This article discusses the historical religious practices in the Vedic time period; see Dharmic religions for details of contemporary religious practices. ... The ancient Sanskrit epics, the Ramayana and Mahabharata, laid the cornerstone for much of Hindu religion. ... It has been suggested that Tapasya be merged into this article or section. ... For other uses, see Yoga (disambiguation). ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

As a family man and householder he has a wife, Parvati (also known as Umā), and two sons, Ganesha and Skanda. 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.^[135] Umā in epic literature is known by many names, including Pārvatī.^[136][137] She is identifed with Devi, the Divine Mother, and with Shakti (divine energy). For the Harry Potter character, see Parvati Patil. ... For other uses, see Ganesha (disambiguation). ... Skanda is a name of a deity that is popular amongst practicing Hindus and Buddhists Skanda is a Hindu deity also known as Kartikeya and Murugan. ... For the Harry Potter character, see Parvati Patil. ... It has been suggested that Shri Vidya be merged into this article or section. ... Lakshmi is a common aspect of Shakti Shakti meaning force, power or energy is the Hindu concept or personification of Gods female aspect, sometimes referred to as The Divine Mother. Shakti represents the active, dynamic principles of feminine power. ...

Shiva and Parvati are the parents of Karthikeya and Ganesha. Karttikeya is popular in South India (especially in Tamil Nadu as TamilGod) by the names Subrahmanya and Murugan, and in North India he is more popular by the name Skanda, Kumara, or Karttikeya.^[138] In Hinduism, Kartikeya (also Murugan, Subrahmanya, Skanda, Kumaran, Swaminanda) is a deity born out of a magical spark created by Shiva. ... For other uses, see Ganesha (disambiguation). ... Tamil Nadu (தமிழ் நாடு, Land of the Tamils) is a state at the southern tip of India. ... Languages Tamil Religions Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Jainism Related ethnic groups Dravidian people Brahui people Kannadigas Malayalis Tamils Telugus Tuluvas Gonds The Tamil people are a multi-ethnic group from the Indian subcontinent with a recorded history going back more than two millennia. ... Murugan (also Murugan) (Tamil: ) is a popular Hindu deity amongst Tamil Hindus. ...

Nataraja

Bronze Chola Statue depicting Shiva dancing as Nataraja. Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City.

Main article: Nataraja

The depiction of Shiva as Nataraja (Tamil: நடராஜா, Sanskrit: naṭarāja, "Lord of Dance") is popular.^[139][140] The names Nartaka ("Dancer") and Nityanarta ("Eternal Dancer") appear in the Shiva Sahasranama.^[141] His association with dance and also with music is prominent in the Puranic period.^[142] 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 Southern India in particular.^[143] Image File history File links Chola Bronze statue of Nataraja at the Met of New York File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Image File history File links Chola Bronze statue of Nataraja at the Met of New York File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... This article is about the metal alloy. ... The Chola Dynasty (Tamil: , IPA: ) was a Tamil dynasty that ruled primarily in southern India until the 13th century. ... Bronze Chola Statue of Nataraja Nataraja (literally, The King of Dance) is the dancing posture of Lord Åšiva, the aspect of God as the Destroyer in Hinduism. ... Metropolitan Museum of Art New York Elevation The Metropolitan Museum of Art, often referred to simply as the Met, is one of the worlds largest and most important art museums. ... Bronze Chola Statue of Nataraja Nataraja (literally, The King of Dance) is the dancing posture of Lord Åšiva, the aspect of God as the Destroyer in Hinduism. ... Tamil ( ; IPA ) is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamils in India and Sri Lanka, with smaller communities of speakers in many other countries. ... Purana (Sanskrit: , meaning tales of ancient times) is the name of an ancient Indian genre (or a group of related genres) of Hindu or Jain literature (as distinct from oral tradition). ... Tamil Nadu (தமிழ் நாடு, Land of the Tamils) is a state at the southern tip of India. ...

Dakṣiṇāmūrti

Main article: Dakshinamurthy

Dakṣiṇāmūrti (Sanskrit: दक्षिणामूर्ति)^[144] 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.^[145] This iconographic form for depicting Shiva in Indian art is mostly from Tamil Nadu.^[146] Elements of this motif can include Shiva seated upon a deer-throne and surrounded by sages who are receiving his instruction.^[147] Please wikify (format) this article or section as suggested in the Guide to layout and the Manual of Style. ... For other uses, see Yoga (disambiguation). ... Tamil Nadu (தமிழ் நாடு, Land of the Tamils) is a state at the southern tip of India. ...

Ardhanarishvara

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

Main article: Ardhanari

An iconographic representation of Shiva called Ardhanarishvara shows him with one half of the body as male, and the other half as female.^[148] According to Ellen Goldberg, the traditional Sanskrit name for this form, (Ardhanārīśvara) is best translated as "the lord who is half woman", and not as "half-man, half-woman".^[149] Image File history File links Download high resolution version (360x753, 96 KB) Summary Chola Bronze from the eleventh century CE. siva in the form of Arthanariswara. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (360x753, 96 KB) Summary Chola Bronze from the eleventh century CE. siva in the form of Arthanariswara. ... As a means of recording the passage of time, the 11th century was that century which lasted from 1001 to 1100. ... In Hinduism, Ardhanari or Ardhanareshvara, is an aspect of Shiva, representing masculinity and femininity. ... Ardhanarishvara (half male-half female God) Note the sculptures left is female and the right is male, depicting Shiva and his consort Shakti/Parvati. ...

Tripurāntaka

Main article: Tripura (mythology)

Shiva is often depicted in the act of destroying the triple fortresses, Tripura, of the Asuras.^[150] Shiva's name Tripurāntaka (Sanskrit: त्रिपुरान्तक), "Ender of Tripura", refers to this important story.^[151] Tripura (meaning three cities, in Sanskrit) was constructed by the great architect Mayasura. ...

Lingam

Main article: Lingam

Also see: Jyotirlinga It has been suggested that Shiva lingham stones be merged into this article or section. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ...

Apart from antropomorphic images of Shiva, the worship of Shiva in the form of a lingam is also important.^{[152][153][154]} These are depicted in various forms. One common form is the shape of a vertical rounded column. It has been suggested that Shiva lingham stones be merged into this article or section. ...

The five mantras

Adoration of Five-headed Shiva by Vishnu (blue figure, to left of Shiva),Brahma (four headed figure to the right of Shiva), Ganesha (elephant-headed son of Shiva, bottom left) and other deities. Painting from LACMA

Five is a sacred number for Shiva.^[155] One of his most important mantras has five syllables (namaḥ śivāya).^[156] Image File history File links Size of this preview: 465 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (496 × 640 pixel, file size: 115 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg)Adoration of Shiva, 1696 India, Himachal Pradesh, Nurpur, South Asia from LACMA museum Painting; Watercolor, Opaque watercolor, gold, and silver on paper, Sheet: 9 1/8... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 465 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (496 × 640 pixel, file size: 115 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg)Adoration of Shiva, 1696 India, Himachal Pradesh, Nurpur, South Asia from LACMA museum Painting; Watercolor, Opaque watercolor, gold, and silver on paper, Sheet: 9 1/8... Vishnu (IAST , Devanagari ), (honorific: Sri Vishnu) also known as Narayana is the Supreme Being (i. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... For other uses, see Ganesha (disambiguation). ... The Los Angeles County Museum of Art, also known as LACMA, is the official art museum of the County of Los Angeles, California. ...

Shiva's body is said to consist of five mantras, called the pañcabrahmans:^[157] As forms of god, each of these have their own names and distinct iconography:^[158]

• Sadyojāta
• Vāmadeva
• Aghora
• Tatpuruṣa
• 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.^[159][160] 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.^[161] But the overall meaning of these associations is summarized by Stella Kramrisch: There are very few or no other articles that link to this one. ... In Hinduism, Vamadeva is the name of the preserver aspect of the god Shiva, one of five aspects of the universe he embodies. ... This article is about the Hindu God. ... A Tatpurusha is a type of compound in Sanskrit grammar. ... A common name of a Hindu boy. ...

Through these transcendent categories, Śiva, the ultimate reality, becomes the efficient and material cause of all that exists.^[162]

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 31)^[163] This page deals with the Hindu concept of The Supreme Reality. ...

Relationships in the pantheon

Vishnu

Vishnu (right half - blue) and Shiva (left half - white)

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 BCE) both were gaining ascendance.^[164] By the Puranic period both deities had major cults that competed with one another for devotees.^[165] Many stories developed showing different types of relationships between these two important deities. Image File history File links Size of this preview: 519 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (649 × 750 pixel, file size: 93 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) The two-dimensional work of art depicted in this image is in the public domain in the United States and in those countries with a copyright... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 519 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (649 × 750 pixel, file size: 93 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) The two-dimensional work of art depicted in this image is in the public domain in the United States and in those countries with a copyright... Vishnu (IAST , Devanagari ), (honorific: Sri Vishnu) also known as Narayana is the Supreme Being (i. ...

Sectarian forces each presented their own preferred deity as supreme. Vishnu in his myths "becomes" Shiva.^[166] The Vishnu Purana (4th c. CE) shows Vishnu awakening and becoming both Brahmā to create the world, and Shiva to destroy it.^[167] Shiva also is viewed as a manifestation of Vishnu in the Bhagavata Purana.^[168] In Shaivite myths, on the other hand, Shiva comes to the fore and acts independently and alone to create, preserve, and destroy the world.^[169] 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.^[170] The Śatarudrīya, a Shaivite hymn, says that Shiva is "of the form of Vishnu".^[171] Rivalry between the two cults is 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 to chastise Vishnu in his hybrid form as Narasimha, the man-lion, who killed Hiranyakashipu, an ardent devotee of Shiva.^[172][173] The Shri Rudram Chamakam (TS 4. ... In Hindu legend, the Lord shiva took the form of sharaba, a form that combines lion, human and also a bird. ... Yoga Narasimha form at a temple in Vijayanagara, Hampi, India (man-lion) (also spelt as Narasingh, Narasinga) (नरसिंह in Devanagari) is described as the fourteenth incarnation (avatara) of Vishnu within the Puranic texts of Hinduism [1] who takes the form of half-man / half-lion, having a human torso and lower... In Hinduism, Hiranyakashipu (or Hiranyakasipu) was a demon whose younger brother, Hiranyaksha was killed by Varaha, one of the avatars of Vishnu. ...

Syncretic forces produced stories in which the two deities were shown in cooperative relationships and combined forms. Harihara is a the name of a combined deity form of both Vishnu (Hari) and Shiva (Hara).^[174] This dual form, which is also called Harirudra, is mentioned in the Mahabharata.^[175] 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 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 Deoghar in Bihar to purify himself and asked Narada a devotee of Vishnu in the guise of a Brahmin to hold the linga for him, but after some time Narada 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.^[176] Harihara is a term used to denote the unity of Vishnu and Shiva as one and the same with Hari being the name of Vishnu and Hara that of Shiva. ... Vishnu (IAST , Devanagari ), (honorific: Sri Vishnu) also known as Narayana is the Supreme Being (i. ... Hari (Sanskrit: हरि) is another name of Vishnu or God in Vaishnavism, Smarta or Advaitan Hinduism, and appears as the 650th name in the Vishnu sahasranama. ... The word Hara can refer to: A Japanese martial art term; see Hara (Martial Arts) and Tanden. ... For the film by Peter Brook, see The Mahabharata (1989 film). ... A depiction of Ravana, Hindu rakshasa King of Lanka In Hinduism, Ravana (Devanagari: रावण, Telugu: రావణాసురుడు IAST ; sometimes transliterated as Raavana or Ravan or Revana) is the principal antagonist of Rama in the Hindu epic, the Ramayana. ... Linga worship (Estate of Cynthia and Harlen Welsh) Lingam or Linga is the Sanskrit word for mark. ... , Deoghar is headquarter of Deoghar District in the state of Jharkhand, India. ... For other uses, see Bihar (disambiguation). ... Narada (Sanskrit: नारद, nārada) is the Hindu divine sage, who is an enduring chanter of the names Hari and Narayana which other names for Vishnu, considered to be the supreme God by Vaishnavites and many other Hindus. ... The term Brahmin denotes both a member of the priestly class in the Hindu varna system, and a member of the highest caste in the caste system of Hindu society. ...

Avatars

Shiva, like some other Hindu deities, is said to have several incarnations, known as Avatars. Adi Shankara, the 8th-century philosopher of non-dualist Vedanta was named "Shankara" after Lord Shiva and is considered to have been an incarnation of Shiva.^[177] In the Hanuman Chalisa Hanuman is identified as the eleventh avatar of Shiva.^[178] See Avatar (disambiguation) for other meanings. ... Adi Shankara (Malayalam: ആദി ശങ്കരന്‍, Devanāgarī: , , IPA: ); c. ... This article is about the Hindu philosophy. ... This article is about a divine entity in Hinduism. ...

Worship

108 shiva lingas carved on the rock at the banks of river Tungabhadra, Hampi

In Shaivism, Shiva is the God of all and is worshipped by all, from Devas (gods) such as Brahma, Indra, by Asuras(demons) like Bana, Ravana, by humans like Adi Shankara, Nayanars, by creatures such as Jatayu, an eagle, Vali, an ape, and the list goes on and on. Furthermore, people of different backgrounds and qualities worship the Good Lord with many temples having histories of even cranes, bees, elephants, (see Kalahasti), spiders, snakes, worshipping Shiva and getting blessed. It concludes that the Good Lord blesses anyone who worships him with sincere devotion as there is no discrimination based on the seeker. Although Lord Shiva loves His devotees equally as He does not ignore the tapasya of rakshasas, asuras or anybody, even those with bad intentions, He always finds ways to protect dharma and not allow any evil to triumph over good. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1632x1224, 406 KB) Summary photographed by Pratheepps Licensing File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1632x1224, 406 KB) Summary photographed by Pratheepps Licensing File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Linga worship (Estate of Cynthia and Harlen Welsh) Lingam or Linga is the Sanskrit word for mark. ... The Tungabhadra is a river of southern India. ... Hampi (Kannada: ಹಂಪೆ, Hampe in Kannada) is a village in northern Karnataka state, India. ... This article is about the religion Shaivism. ... For other uses, see Deva (disambiguation). ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... For other uses, see Indra (disambiguation). ... In Hindu mythology, the Asura are a group of power-seeking deities, sometimes misleadingly referred to as demons. ... Bana may refer to: Bana, Gabon Bana, a village in Rajasthan state of India Bana, a popular balladeer from Cape Verde Bana, a village in Hungary Banasur, an asura in Hindu mythology Banabhatta, a 7th century Indian writer Bana, one of the 8 departments of the Balé Province of Burkina... A depiction of Ravana, Hindu rakshasa King of Lanka In Hinduism, Ravana (Devanagari: रावण, Telugu: రావణాసురుడు IAST ; sometimes transliterated as Raavana or Ravan or Revana) is the principal antagonist of Rama in the Hindu epic, the Ramayana. ... Adi Shankara (Malayalam: ആദി ശങ്കരന്‍, Devanāgarī: , , IPA: ); c. ... The Nayanars were the sincere and ardent devotees of Lord Siva. ... Ravana cuts Jatayus wings, by Ravi Varma In the Hindu epic Ramayana, Jatayu (Sanskrit: जटायू, jatāyū) is the son of Aruna and nephew of Garuda. ... Vali or Wali can refer to: Professor Ferenc A. Váli, the Hungarian-born lawyer, author and political analyst. ... Genera Grus Anthropoides Balearica Bugeranus Cranes are large, long-legged and long-necked birds of the order Gruiformes, and family Gruidae. ... For other uses, see Western honey bee and Bee (disambiguation). ... Genera and Species Loxodonta Loxodonta cyclotis Loxodonta africana Elephas Elephas maximus Elephas antiquus † Elephas beyeri † Elephas celebensis † Elephas cypriotes † Elephas ekorensis † Elephas falconeri † Elephas iolensis † Elephas planifrons † Elephas platycephalus † Elephas recki † Stegodon † Mammuthus † Elephantidae (the elephants) is a family of pachyderm, and the only remaining family in the order Proboscidea... Kalahasti temple is a famous Siva temple, and is said to be the site where Kannappa, one of the 63 Saivite Nayanars, was ready to offer his last remaining eye to cover blood flowing from the Siva linga before the Lord stopped him and granted mukti. ... For other uses, see Spider (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Snake (disambiguation). ... Tapasya is a principle of austerity or willingness to bear suffering in Hinduism and related religions such as Buddhism and Jainism. ... This article is about the demon in Hindu mythology. ... // In Hinduism In Hindu mythology, the Asura (Sanskrit: असुर) are a group of power-seeking deities, sometimes misleadingly referred to as demons. ... For other uses, see Dharma (disambiguation). ...

Major deities, rishis, planets, worshipped Shiva and established Shivalingas in various places. A rishi (Sanskrit ऋषि: ) is a Hindu saint or sage. ... This article is about the astronomical term. ... Linga worship (Estate of Cynthia and Harlen Welsh) Lingam or Linga (Sanskrit: Gender as in purusha-linga : Phallus) is used as a symbol for the worship of the Hindu God Shiva. ...

1. Pashupatinath Lord of all living beings, located at Kathmandu, Nepal.
2. Somnath located at Prabhas Patan in Saurashtra in Gujarat.
3. Dwarka in Gujarat is home to the Nageshwar Jyotirlinga temple.
4. Mahakal, Ujjain (or Avanti) in Madhya Pradesh is home to the Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga temple.
5. Srisailam - Srisailam near Kurnool enshrines Mallikarjuna in an ancient temple architecturally and sculpturally rich.
6. Bhimashankar, in the Sahyadri range of Maharashtra, contains a Jyotirlinga shrine associated with Shiva destroying the demon Tripurasura.
7. Omkareshwar in Madhya Pradesh is an island in the Narmada river, home to a Jyotirlinga shrine and the Amareshwar temple.
8. Sukreswar Temple located on Sukreswar hill in Guwahati on the southern bank of Brahmaputra, with the ghat leading down to the river.
9. Uma Nanda Temple located on the Peacock island in middle of River Brahmaputra in Guwahati.
10. Kedarnath in Uttarakhand is the northernmost of the Jyotirlingas.
11. Varanasi (Benares) in Uttar Pradesh is home to the Vishwanath Jyotirling temple.
12. Trimbakeshwar, near Nashik in Maharashtra, has a Jyotirlinga shrine located associated with the origin of the Godavari river.
13. Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga shrine, in Maharashtra, is located near the rock-cut temples of Ellora.
14. Deoghar, in the Santhal Parganas region of Jharkhand, is home to the Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga temple.
15. Ganesha worshipped Shiva at Pillayar patti (100 km from Madurai, India)
16. The four Vedas worshipped Shiva at Thirumaraikaadu (i.e., Vedaaranyam near Tanjore)
17. Skanda worshipped Shiva at Thiruchendur (200 km from Madurai, India)
18. Rama (avatar of Vishnu) worshipped Shiva in Rameswaram(India)
19. Vishnu worshipped Shiva atKanchipuram (Kachiswarar Temple)
20. Parasurama (avatar of Vishnu) worshipped Shiva at Sreesailam, Karnataka and also at Chennai (Parasurama at Lingeshwara Temple, Iyanavaram)
21. Goddess Lakshmi (wife of Vishnu) worshipped Shiva at Tirupachethi (50 km from Madurai).
22. Surya worshipped Shiva at Srivilliputhur (Vaidhyanathaar Temple 100 km from Madurai)
23. Brahma and Vishnu at Tiruvannamalai (180 km from Chennai)
24. Brahma at Vrinchipuram (155 km from Chennai, 15 km from Vellore)
25. Rahu and Ketu at Kaalahasthi (50 km from Tirupathi, Andhra Pradesh, India)
26. Indra at Madurai (Soma Sundareeswar Temple)
27. The Rishi Agastya at Papanasam (100 km from Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, India)
28. Goddess Parvati at Kancheepuram (Ekambeeswarar Temple, 70 km from Chennai, India)
29. Shani at Thirnallar (near Kaaraikal, Pondicherry)
30. Moongod at Thingalur (near Tanjore)
31. Shiva and Sani at Thirvidaimaruthoor (near Kumbakonam)
32. Brahma at Kumbakoonam (Kumbeeswarar, near Tanjore)
33. Ujjain Jyotirlinga shrine, in Madhya Pradesh.
34. Lord Shiva at Trilochan, is famous with name of Trilochan Mhadev Temple, 30 km from varanasi , india
35. Manjunatha-Lord of mist at Dharmasthala this one famous pilgrim of Dakshina Kannada,Karnataka.
36. Nanjundeshwara -One who has gulped nanju-pain or Halahala in his throat or SriKanteshwara at Nanjangud near Mysore,Karnataka
37. AtmaLinga at Gokarna ,Karnataka.
38. Panchalingeshwara-5 Linga all of which is covered with sand but opens up at specific dates at Talakad ,Karnataka.
39. Shivagange-Believed to be patalaGanga flowing by rishi Agastya worship. Bengalooru,Karnataka.
40. Murudeshwara in Uttara Kannada,Karnataka.
41. Kudalasangama in Basavakalyana,Karnataka.
42. By Lava kucha (sons of Rama)in Kurungaleeswar temple at Koyambedu Chennai.
43. Bakreshwar and Tarakeshwar in West Bengal

Pashupatinath Temple, Eastview Pashupatinath Temple Dye seller outside Pashupatinath Pashupatinath is a Hindu temple located on the shore of the Bagmati river on the eastern part of Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal. ... The Somnath Temple located in the Prabhas Kshetra near Veraval in Saurashtra, on the western coast of Gujarat, India is one of the twelve Jyotirlings (golden lingas) symbols of the God Shiva. ... Saurashtra may refer to: Saurashtra (region) Saurashtra language Saurashtra script There are several popular cities in Saurahstra Area viz:- Bhavnagar, Jamnagar, Rajula, Mahuva, Veraval, Kandla, Kundla Category: ... This article is for the Indian state. ... , Dwarka   is a city and a municipality in Jamnagar district in the state of Gujarat, India. ... Mahakal, one of the twelve Jyotirlingams, is enshrined in a temple called Mahakal Jyotirlinga Shiva Temple, which is located in the city of Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh state, India. ... , Madhya Pradesh (abbreviated as MP)   (HindÄ«: मध्य प्रदेश, English: , IPA: ), often called the Heart of India, is a state in central India. ... , Srisailam is a holy town and Mandal, situated in Nallamala hills of Kurnool district, Andhra Pradesh, India. ... , Map showing kurnool district Kurnool   is a city in Kurnool district in Andhra Pradesh state of southern India. ... Bhimashankar, located in the Sahyadri mountain range in Pune district in Maharashtra, India. ... The Western Ghats or Sahyadri mountains run along the western edge of Indias Deccan Plateau, and separate the plateau from a narrow coastal plain along the Arabian Sea. ... , Maharashtra (Marathi: महाराष्ट्र , IPA  , translation: Great Nation) is Indias third largest state in area and second largest in population after Uttar Pradesh. ... Omkareshwar is a Hindu temple in Madhya Pradesh state in India. ... The Narmada River in central India The Narmada (Gujarati: નર્મદા Devanagri: नर्मदा or Nerbudda (Narbada) is a river in central India in Indian subcontinent. ... , Guwahati is a major city in eastern India, often considered as the gateway to the North-East Region (NER) of the country and is the largest city within the region. ... Umananda Devaloi, a Shiva Temple is located at the Peacock island in middle of river Brahmaputra at Guwahati. ... The Brahmaputra is one of the major rivers of Asia. ... , Guwahati is a major city in eastern India, often considered as the gateway to the North-East Region (NER) of the country and is the largest city within the region. ... The Kedarnath temple Kedarnath is a Hindu holy town located in the the Indian state of Uttarakhand. ... , Uttarakhand (Hindi: उत्तराखंड), known as Uttaranchal from 2000 to 2006, became the 27th state of the Republic of India on November 9, 2000. ... , Varanasi (Sanskrit: वाराणसी VārāṇasÄ«, IPA:  ), also known as Benares (Hindi: , Urdu: , IPA: ), or Kashi (Hindi: ), is a famous Hindu holy city situated on the banks of the river Ganges (Ganga) in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. ... , Uttar Pradesh (Hindi: , Urdu: , IPA:  , translation: Northern Province), [often referred to as U.P.], located in central-south Asia and northern India, is the most populous and fifth largest state in the Republic of India. ... Trimbakeshwar is an ancient Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas. ... , Nashik (Marathi: ) ( ) or Nasik (Marathi: ) is a city in Indias Maharashtra state. ... , Maharashtra (Marathi: महाराष्ट्र , IPA  , translation: Great Nation) is Indias third largest state in area and second largest in population after Uttar Pradesh. ... Godavari river map The Godavari River, adjacent to the town of Kovvur This article is about Godavari River in India. ... Grishneshwar, also known as Ghushmeshwar, is an ancient pilgrimage site revered as the abode of one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Shiva. ... , Maharashtra (Marathi: महाराष्ट्र , IPA  , translation: Great Nation) is Indias third largest state in area and second largest in population after Uttar Pradesh. ... Kailasanatha Temple Ellora is an ancient village 30 km from the city of Aurangabad in the Indian state of Maharashtra famous for its magnificent rock cut architecture comprising of Buddhist, Hindu and Jaina cave temples and monasteries built between the 6th and 10th century A.D. These structures were excavated... , Deoghar is headquarter of Deoghar District in the state of Jharkhand, India. ... Santhal Parganas constitute one of the administrative Divisions of Jharkhand state, India. ... , Jharkhand   (Hindi: झारखंड, Bengali: ঝাড়খণ্ড,IPA: ) is a state in eastern India. ... For other uses, see Ganesha (disambiguation). ... , Madurai   (Tamil: , IPA: ) is a city and a municipal corporation with a city population of 922,913 according to 2001 census. ... The Vedas are part of the Hindu Shruti; these religious scriptures form part of the core of the Brahminical and Vedic traditions within Hinduism and are the inspirational, metaphysical and mythological foundation for later Vedanta, Yoga, Tantra and even Bhakti forms of Hinduism. ... Thanjavur, also known as Tanjore, is a city in Tamil Nadu, in southeastern India. ... Skanda is a name of a deity that is popular amongst practicing Hindus and Buddhists Skanda is a Hindu deity also known as Kartikeya and Murugan. ... Thiruchendur is a town in the district of Tirunelveli of Tamil Nadu, located 55 km south-east of Tirunelveli and 75 km north-east of Kanyakumari. ... Rama ( in IAST, in DevanāgarÄ«) or Ramachandra is a legendary or historical king of ancient India. ... This article is about the concept in Hindu philosophy. ... Vishnu (IAST , Devanagari ), (honorific: Sri Vishnu) also known as Narayana is the Supreme Being (i. ... This article is about temple town. ... Vishnu (IAST , Devanagari ), (honorific: Sri Vishnu) also known as Narayana is the Supreme Being (i. ... , Kanchipuram, Kanchi, or Kancheepuram (also sometimes Conjeevaram) is a city and a municipality in Kancheepuram district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. ... In Hinduism, Parashurama (axe-wielding Rama) is the sixth avatar of Vishnu, and a son of Jamadagni. ... , Karnataka (Kannada: , IPA:  ) is a state in the southern part of India. ... , Madras redirects here. ... For other uses, see Lakshmi (disambiguation). ... , Madurai   (Tamil: , IPA: ) is a city and a municipal corporation with a city population of 922,913 according to 2001 census. ... In Hinduism, Surya (Devanagari: सूर्य, sÅ«rya) is the chief solar deity,one of the Adityas, son of Kasyapa and one of his wife Aditi[1] ,in Nordics Tyr he is said to be the son of Dyaus Pitar. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Vishnu (IAST , Devanagari ), (honorific: Sri Vishnu) also known as Narayana is the Supreme Being (i. ... Tiruvannamalai Tiruvannamalai (திருவண்ணாமலை in Tamil) is a town in the state of Tamil Nadu in India situated 185 km from Chennai/Madras. ... , Madras redirects here. ... , Vellore   (Tamil: வேலூர்), is a town and a municipality in Vellore district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. ... In Hindu mythology, Rahu is a snake that swallows the sun or the moon causing eclipses. ... In Hindu mythology, Ketu is generally referred to as a shadow planet. ... ... Tirupathi is one of the most famous temple towns in India. ... Andhra redirects here. ... For other uses, see Indra (disambiguation). ... , Madurai   (Tamil: , IPA: ) is a city and a municipal corporation with a city population of 922,913 according to 2001 census. ... In Hinduism, Agastya (अगस्त्य in devanagari, pronounced /É™ gÉ™s tyÉ™/) is a legendary Vedic sage or rishi. ... , Papanasam is a panchayat town in Thanjavur district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. ... , Tirunelveli (Tamil: ) is a Municipal Corporation, sixth largest city in Tamil Nadu(After Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, Trichy and Salem)in southern India and the district headquarter of Tirunelveli district. ... Tamil Nadu (தமிழ் நாடு, Land of the Tamils) is a state at the southern tip of India. ... For the Harry Potter character, see Parvati Patil. ... Kanchipuram or Kancheepuram (also sometimes Conjeevaram) is the name of a temple town and district in Tamil Nadu, Indias southernmost state. ... Temple of Hephaestus, an Doric Greek temple in Athens with the original entrance facing east, 449 BC (western face depicted) For other uses, see Temple (disambiguation). ... , Madras redirects here. ... Shani (also spelled Åšani)(Sanskrit: शनि) is one of the Navagraha which are the nine primary celestial beings in Hindu astrology (that is, Vedic astrology), Shani is embodied in the planet Saturn. ... Map of Pondicherry Region, Union Territory of Pondicherry, India Pondicherry (Tamil:புதுவை,Hindi: पॉण्डिचेरी) is a Union Territory of India. ... Thanjavur, also known as Tanjore, is a city in Tamil Nadu, in southeastern India. ... There are places in the world that have the name Sani: Sani Beach - a hotel in Sani. ... , Kumbakonam (Tamil: கும்பகோணம்) is a city and a municipality in the Thanjavur district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Thanjavur, also known as Tanjore, is a city in Tamil Nadu, in southeastern India. ... , Ujjain   (Hindi:उज्जैन) (also known as Ujain, Ujjayini, Avanti, Avantikapuri) is an ancient city of central India, in the Malwa region of the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, on the eastern bank of the Kshipra River. ... , Madhya Pradesh (abbreviated as MP)   (HindÄ«: मध्य प्रदेश, English: , IPA: ), often called the Heart of India, is a state in central India. ... , Varanasi (Sanskrit: वाराणसी VārāṇasÄ«, IPA:  ), also known as Benares (Hindi: , Urdu: , IPA: ), or Kashi (Hindi: ), is a famous Hindu holy city situated on the banks of the river Ganges (Ganga) in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. ... Movie poster. ... Sri Manjunatha swamy temple Dharmasthala is perhaps the most highly revered and best known temple town in Karnataka. ... Location of Dakshina Kannada district with respect to the other districts of Karnataka. ... , Karnataka (Kannada: , IPA:  ) is a state in the southern part of India. ... Poison from the sea when Suras (Gods) and Asuras (Demons) churned the sea in order to get the bounties. ... Nanjangud (Kannada ನಂಜನಗೂಡು) is a town in Mysore district in the Indian state of Karnataka. ... , For other uses, see Mysore (disambiguation). ... , Karnataka (Kannada: , IPA:  ) is a state in the southern part of India. ... Linga worship (Estate of Cynthia and Harlen Welsh) Lingam or Linga is the Sanskrit word for mark. ... Gokarna meaning Cows Ear is a small town situated in North Kannada district coastal Karnataka, India. ... , Karnataka (Kannada: , IPA:  ) is a state in the southern part of India. ... Linga worship (Estate of Cynthia and Harlen Welsh) Lingam or Linga is the Sanskrit word for mark. ... Talakad is a scenic and spiritual center located in Mysore district, near T. Narasipura. ... Ganga may refer to: Ganges River, a river in India Ganga, the Hindu goddess that personifies the Ganges River The Gangas, an ancient southern Indian dynasty Ganga (music), a type of rural folk singing from Croatia and Herzegovina Daren Ganga, a West Indian cricketer Ganga, an alternate spelling of ganja... In Hinduism, Agastya (अगस्त्य in devanagari, pronounced /É™ gÉ™s tyÉ™/) is a legendary Vedic sage or rishi. ... ... Murudeshwara (Kannada:ಮುರುಡೇಶ್ವರ) is a town in the Bhatkal Taluk of Uttara Kannada district in the state of Karnataka, India. ... Location of Uttara Kannada district with respect to the other districts of Karnataka. ... Kudala Sangama in India is an important center of pilgrimage for people of the Lingayat faith. ... Basavakalyan is a town in Bidar District of the state of Karnataka, India. ... Bakreshwar is in the Birbhum district of West Bengal and is home to a thermal power plant operated by West Bengal Power Development Corporation Limited (WBPDCL). ... , West Bengal (Bengali: পশ্চিমবঙ্গ Poshchimbôŋgo) is a state in eastern India. ...

Names of Shiva

A statue of Shiva near Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi

In Hinduism, deities are called by many names, which describe them in different ways. These names often refer to specific stories about the deities, functions they perform, or ways of thinking about them. Study of these names is helpful to understanding deities from multiple points of view. Some names are used by more than one deity, so looking for names that uniquely describe a deity is one way to pinpoint their functions. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1944x2592, 271 KB) Description: Statue of Lord Shiva Source: photo taken by User:Deepak Date: 26th December 2006 Permission: User:Deepak released it on 27th December 2005 under CC-BY-SA-2. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1944x2592, 271 KB) Description: Statue of Lord Shiva Source: photo taken by User:Deepak Date: 26th December 2006 Permission: User:Deepak released it on 27th December 2005 under CC-BY-SA-2. ... Check-in area of domestic departure terminal 1A Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport (IATA: DEL, ICAO: VIDP), located in Delhi, is one of Indias main domestic and international gateways. ... For other uses, see Delhi (disambiguation). ...

Sahasranamas

There are at least eight different versions of the Shiva Sahasranama, devotional hymns (stotras) listing many names of Shiva.^[179] The version appearing in Book 13 (Anuśāsanaparvan) of the Mahabharata is considered the kernel of this tradion.^[180] The Shiva sahasranama is the Shaiva sahasranama (list of thousand names of God), contained in the Linga Purana. ... For the film by Peter Brook, see The Mahabharata (1989 film). ...

The nine versions of Shiva sahasranamas are

1. Mahabharata 13.17.30-150 (Anuśāsanaparvan Version)

2. 'Rudrayamala

3. Linga Purana (version 1, LP 1.65.54-168) is close to the Mahabharata Anuśāsanaparvan version.

4. Linga Purana (version 2, LP 1.98.27-159) has some passages in common with LP version 1, but also with other sources

5. Shivapurana 4.35.1-131.

6. Mahabharata (Śāntiparvan version). The critical edition of the Mahabharata does not include this version, relegating it to Appendix 28 to Śāntiparvan. It does appear in the text of the Gita Press edition as 12.284.68-180.

7. Vayu Purana (1.30.179-284) is almost the same as the Mahabharata Śāntiparvan version.

8. Brahmanda Purana (38.1.1-100) is almost the same as the Vayu Purana version.

9. Mahābhāgavata Upapurana (67.1-125) appears to be of comparatively recent origin.

Lord Shiva also has DashaSahasranamas (10,000 names) that are found in the Mahanyasa.

Chamakam

The Shri Rudram Chamakam, also known as the Śatarudriya, is a devotional hymn to Shiva hailing him by many names.^[181][182] The Shri Rudram Chamakam (Sanskrit श्रि रुद्रम् चमकम्) is a Vedic stotra dedicated to Rudra (an early epithet for the Hindu god Shiva). ...

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

Shiva

• Shaivism
• History of Shaivism
• Shiva Puja
• Lingayat
• Kapalika
• Ramnathi

Image File history File links Commons-logo. ... This article is about the religion Shaivism. ... This does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Please wikify (format) this article or section as suggested in the Guide to layout and the Manual of Style. ... Virasaivism is a religious movement of Hinduism in India. ... In Hindu culture, Kapalika means bearer of the skull-bowl. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

Notes

Ganesha as enshrined in Shri Mangesh Temple in Priol, Goa. ... Vaishnavism is one of the principal traditions of Hinduism, and is distinguished from other schools by its primary worship of Vishnu (and his associated avatars) as the Supreme God. ...

References

A Shiva Linga

• Apte, Vaman Shivram (1965), The Practical Sanskrit Dictionary (Fourth revised and enlarged ed.), Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass Publishers, ISBN 81-208-0567-4
• Arya, Ravi Prakash & K. L. Joshi. Ṛgveda Saṃhitā: Sanskrit Text, English Translation. Parimal Publications, Delhi, 2001, ISBN 81-7110-138-7 (Set of four volumes). Parimal Sanskrit Series No. 45; 2003 reprint: 81-7020-070-9.
• Chakravarti, Mahadev (1994), The Concept of Rudra-Śiva Through The Ages (Second Revised ed.), Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, ISBN 81-208-0053-2
• Chidbhavananda, Swami (1997). Siva Sahasranama Stotram: With Navavali, Introduction, and English Rendering.. Sri Ramakrishna Tapovanam. ISBN 81-208-0567-4.  (Third edition). The version provided by Chidbhavananda is from chapter 17 of the Anuśāsana Parva of the Mahābharata.
• Courtright, Paul B. (1985). Gaṇeśa: Lord of Obstacles, Lord of Beginnings. New York: Oxford University Press. ISBN ISBN 0-19-505742-2. 
• Flood, Gavin (1996). An Introduction to Hinduism. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0-521-43878-0. 
• Flood, Gavin (Editor) (2003). The Blackwell Companion to Hinduism. Malden, MA: Blackwell Publishing Ltd.. ISBN 1-4051-3251-5. 
• Goldberg, Ellen (2002). The Lord Who is Half Woman: Ardhanārīśvara in Indian and Feminist Perspective. Albany, New York: State University of New York Press. ISBN 0-7914-5326-X. 
• Griffith, T. H. (1973), The Hymns of the Ṛgveda (New Revised ed.), Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, ISBN 81-208-0046-X
• Gupta, Shakti M. (1988). Karttikeya: The Son of Shiva. Bombay: Somaiya Publications Pvt. Ltd.. ISBN 81-7039-186-5. 
• Hopkins, E. Washburn (1969). Epic Mythology. New York: Biblo and Tannen.  Originally published in 1915.
• Jansen, Eva Rudy (1993). The Book of Hindu Imagery. Havelte, Holland: Binkey Kok Publications BV. ISBN 90-74597-07-6. 
• Keay, John (2000). India: A History. New York: Grove Press. ISBN 0-8021-3797-0. 
• Kramrisch, Stella (1981). The Presence of Śiva. Princeton, New Jersey: Princeton University Press. ISBN 0-691-01930-4. 
• Macdonell, Arthur Anthony (1996). A Practical Sanskrit Dictionary. New Delhi: Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers. ISBN 81-215-0715-4. 
• Mate, M. S. (1988). Temples and Legends of Maharashtra. Bombay: Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan. 
• Michaels, Axel (2004). Hinduism: Past and Present. Princeton, New Jersey: Princeton University Press. ISBN 0-691-08953-1. 
• Sarup, Lakshman (1920-1927). The Nighaṇṭu and The Nirukta.  Reprint: Motilal Banarsidass, 2002, ISBN 81-208-1381-2.
• Sharma, Ram Karan (1988), Elements of Poetry in the Mahābhārata (Second ed.), Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, ISBN 81-208-0544-5
• Sharma, Ram Karan (1996), Śivasahasranāmāṣṭakam: Eight Collections of Hymns Containing One Thousand and Eight Names of Śiva, Delhi: Nag Publishers, ISBN 81-7081-350-6 This work compares eight versions of the Śivasahasranāmāstotra with comparative analysis and Śivasahasranāmākoṣa (A Dictionary of Names). The text of the eight versions is given in Sanskrit.
• Sivaramamurti, C. (1976). Śatarudrīya: Vibhūti of Śiva's Iconography. Delhi: Abhinav Publications. 
• Stutley, Margaret (1985). The Illustrated Dictionary of Hindu Iconography.  First Indian Edition: Munshiram Manoharlal, 2003, ISBN 81-215-1087-2.
• Tattwananda, Swami (1984). Vaisnava Sects, Saiva Sects, Mother Worship. Calcutta: Firma KLM Private Ltd..  First revised edition.
• Zimmer, Heinrich (1946). Myths and Symbols in Indian Art and Civilization. Princeton, New Jersey: Princeton University Press. ISBN 0-691-01778-6.  First Princeton-Bollingen printing, 1972.
• (1985) Hanuman Chalisa. Chennai, India: Sri Ramakrishna Math. ISBN 81-7120-086-9. 

v • d • e Hindu deities and texts
Female deities	Devi · Saraswati · Lakshmi · Sati · Parvati · Durga · Shakti · Kali · Sita · Radha · Mahavidya · more... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 665 × 599 pixelsFull resolution (768 × 692 pixel, file size: 377 KB, MIME type: image/png) Photo of a small Shivalinga. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 665 × 599 pixelsFull resolution (768 × 692 pixel, file size: 377 KB, MIME type: image/png) Photo of a small Shivalinga. ... hinduism also involves the exchange of male pun. ... Within Hinduism a large number of personalities, or forms, are worshipped as murtis. ... Wikipedia does not yet have an article with this exact name. ... Within Hinduism a large number of personalities, or forms, are worshipped as murtis. ... It has been suggested that Shri Vidya be merged into this article or section. ... For the Vedic river, see Saraswati River. ... For other uses, see Lakshmi (disambiguation). ... In the Hindu religion, SatÄ« (Devanagari: सती, the feminine of sat true) or Dākshāyani is the Goddess of marital felicity and longevity; she is worshipped particularly by ladies to seek the long life of their husbands. ... For the Harry Potter character, see Parvati Patil. ... In Hinduism, Durga (Sanskrit: ) is a form of Devi, the supreme goddess. ... Lakshmi is a common aspect of Shakti Shakti meaning force, power or energy is the Hindu concept or personification of Gods female aspect, sometimes referred to as The Divine Mother. Shakti represents the active, dynamic principles of feminine power. ... Kali (Sanskrit ) is a goddess with a long and complex history in Hinduism. ... Lord Rama (center) with wife Sita, brother Lakshmana and devotee Hanuman. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Mahavidyas (Great Wisdoms) are aspects of Devi in Hinduism. ...
Male deities	Deva · Brahma · Vishnu · Shiva · Rama · Krishna · Ganesha · Murugan · Hanuman · Indra · Surya · more... Image File history File links HinduSwastika. ... Within Hinduism a large number of personalities, or forms, are worshipped as murtis. ... For other uses, see Deva (disambiguation). ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Vishnu (IAST , Devanagari ), (honorific: Sri Vishnu) also known as Narayana is the Supreme Being (i. ... Rama ( in IAST, in DevanāgarÄ«) or Ramachandra is a legendary or historical king of ancient India. ... This article is about the Hindu deity. ... For other uses, see Ganesha (disambiguation). ... Murugan (also Murugan) (Tamil: ) is a popular Hindu deity amongst Tamil Hindus. ... This article is about a divine entity in Hinduism. ... For other uses, see Indra (disambiguation). ... In Hinduism, Surya (Devanagari: सूर्य, sÅ«rya) is the chief solar deity,one of the Adityas, son of Kasyapa and one of his wife Aditi[1] ,in Nordics Tyr he is said to be the son of Dyaus Pitar. ...
Texts	Vedas · Upanishads · Puranas · Ramayana · Mahabharata · Bhagavad Gita Wikipedia does not yet have an article with this exact name. ... Veda redirects here. ... The Upanishads (उपनिषद्, Upanişad) are part of the Hindu Shruti scriptures which primarily discuss meditation and philosophy and are seen as religious instructions by most schools of Hinduism. ... Purana (Sanskrit: , meaning tales of ancient times) is the name of an ancient Indian genre (or a group of related genres) of Hindu or Jain literature (as distinct from oral tradition). ... For the television series by Ramanand Sagar, see Ramayan (TV series). ... For the film by Peter Brook, see The Mahabharata (1989 film). ... Bhagavad Gīta भगवद्गीता, composed ca the fifth - second centuries BC, is part of the epic poem Mahabharata, located in the Bhisma-Parva chapters 23–40. ...
Hinduism · Hindu mythology · Indian epic poetry

v • d • e Jyotirlinga temples

Somnath · Dwarka · Mahakaleshwar · Srisailam · Bhimashankar · Omkareshwar · Kedarnath · Varanasi · Trimbakeshwar · Rameswaram · Grishneshwar · Deoghar hinduism also involves the exchange of male pun. ... Hindu mythology is a term used by modern scholarship for a large body of Indian literature that details the lives and times of legendary personalities, deities and divine incarnations on earth interspersed with often large sections of philosophical and ethical discourse. ... The ancient Sanskrit epics, the Ramayana and Mahabharata, laid the cornerstone for much of Hindu religion. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... The Somnath Temple located in the Prabhas Kshetra near Veraval in Saurashtra, on the western coast of Gujarat, India is one of the twelve Jyotirlings (golden lingas) symbols of the God Shiva. ... Nageshwar Temple or Nagnath Temple is a famous Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in the holy town of Dwarka in Gujarat, India. ... This article includes a list of works cited but its sources remain unclear because it lacks in-text citations. ... , Srisailam is a holy town and Mandal, situated in Nallamala hills of Kurnool district, Andhra Pradesh, India. ... // Bhimashankar is located in the village of Bhavagiri 50 km north west of Khed, near Pune. ... Omkareshwar is a Hindu temple in Madhya Pradesh state in India. ... Kedarnath temple is one of the holiest Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Shiva located atop the Garwal Himalayan range near the holy river of Mandakini in Kedarnath, Uttaranchal in India. ... Kashi Vishwanath temple is one of the most famous Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Shiva and is in the holy city of Varanasi, India. ... Trimbakeshwar is an ancient Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas. ... Fusites spicke multing flutter ortin blenes resta. ... Grishneshwar, also known as Ghushmeshwar, is an ancient pilgrimage site revered as the abode of one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Shiva. ... Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga Temple is a famous Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, the sacred abodes of Shiva. ...