Shiva
Speak with Shiva →Also known as: Mahadeva · Bholenath · Nataraja · Rudra · Nilakantha
Shiva is the destroyer-transformer of the trimurti — the cosmic ascetic whose dissolution makes new creation possible.
Tradition
Vedic / Puranic
Domain
Destruction · Transformation · Yoga · Time · Liberation (moksha)
Vahana
Nandi (the bull)
Sacred day
Monday
Sacred colors
White (ash), Blue
Number of arms (typical)
2
Weapons / attributes
Trishula (trident), Damaru (drum), Pashupatastra
Consort
Parvati
The story
Shiva's most famous act is the drinking of the halahala poison during the churning of the milk ocean (Samudra Manthana). When the cosmic ocean was churned by devas and asuras for amrita (immortality nectar), the deadly poison halahala emerged first and threatened all creation. To save the worlds, Shiva drank it; Parvati pressed his throat to stop it descending, and the poison stayed there — turning his throat blue and giving him the name Nilakantha (Blue-throated). Shiva's nature as Nataraja, the cosmic dancer, is captured in the Tandava — the dance of dissolution and renewal that maintains cyclical time. The Linga (often a smooth oval stone in temples) represents Shiva's formless, unmanifest aspect — Brahman without attributes.
Iconography
Blue-throated yogi with matted locks holding the Ganga; ash-smeared body; serpent (Vasuki) around neck; crescent moon on the forehead; third eye between the brows; tiger-skin garment.
Mantras
ॐ नमः शिवाय
Om Namah Shivaya
Salutations to Shiva — the five-syllable mantra (Panchakshari).
Recommended count: 108
ॐ त्र्यम्बकं यजामहे सुगन्धिं पुष्टिवर्धनम्। उर्वारुकमिव बन्धनान् मृत्योर्मुक्षीय मामृतात्॥
Om Tryambakam Yajamahe Sugandhim Pushtivardhanam / Urvarukamiva Bandhanan Mrityormukshiya Mamritat
We worship the three-eyed one who is fragrant and nourishes all. May he liberate us from the bonds of death like a ripe cucumber from its vine — granting us immortality. (Mahamrityunjaya Mantra)
Recommended count: 108
Festivals
Maha Shivaratri
Phalguna Krishna Chaturdashi (Feb-Mar)
All-night vigil of fasting and chanting; offerings of bilva leaves and milk to the linga at midnight.
Shravan month
Shravan (Jul-Aug)
The entire lunar month of Shravan is sacred to Shiva; Mondays (Shravan Somvar) are particularly auspicious for fasting and abhishekam.
Recommended practices
- Chant Mahamrityunjaya Mantra 108 times daily for protection from accidents and serious illness.
- Abhishekam with milk on Mondays for relieving Saturn-related afflictions.
- Wear Rudraksha (1, 5, or 11 mukhi) after consecration.
Scriptural references
- · Shiva Purana
- · Linga Purana
- · Skanda Purana
- · Rudram (Yajurveda)