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Shiva
is 'Shakti', Shiva is power, Shiva is the destroyer, the most powerful god
of the Hindu pantheon and one of the godheads in the Hindu Trinity. Known
by many names - Mahadeva, Mahayogi, Pashupati, Nyataraja, Bhairava,
Vishwanath, Bhava, Bhole Nath. He, Mahadev, is the cause of the vast
universe and maya (illusion) is his eternal slave. He is the cosmic
absolute in visible form whose consciousness and deeds are inscrutable.
Shiva is one of the Hindu trinity that comprises the creator Brahma, the
protector Mahavishnu, and the godhead Shiva whose primary responsibility
is maintaining the life cycle. Shiva is the only godhead who is forever in
deep meditation, totally absorbed in contemplation in His abode, Kailash
mountain in the great Himalaya.
Shiva is an ascetic and several religious stories and dramas portray that
all attempts to distract him from that principal pursuit through
temptations always ended up with disaster for those initiating such an
effort. Thus Kama, the Lord of Desires, who tried such a distraction was
burned alive through the fire when Shiva opened His third eye.
Shiva, in temples is usually found as a phallic symbol of the linga,
which represents the energies necessary for life. In a Shaivite temple,
the linga is placed in the centre underneath the spire, where it
symbolizes the naval of the earth. Since Shiva is regarded as a mighty
destructive power, to numb his negative potentials he is fed with opium
Therefore, on Maha Shivratri, the night of Shiva worship, devotees,
especially the menfolk, prepare an intoxicating drink called Thandai (made
from cannabis, almonds, and milk) sing songs in praise of the Lord and
dance to the rhythm of the drums.
The actual image of Shiva is also distinct from other deities, his hair
piled high on the top of his head, with a crescent tucked into it and the
river Ganges tumbling from his hairs. Around his neck is a coiled serpent
representing Kundalini or the spiritual energy within life. He holds a
trident in his left hand in which is bound the 'damroo' (small leather
drum). He sits on a tiger skin and on his right is a water pot. He wears
the 'Rudraksha' beads and his whole body is smeared with ash.
He is also often portrayed as the supreme ascetic with a passive and
composed disposition. Sometimes he is depicted riding a bull called Nandi
decked in garlands. Although a very complex deity, Shiva is one of the
most fascinating of Hindu gods.