Shiva

Shiva is a major deity in Hinduism. Aspects of Shiva’s worship arguably date to pre-Vedic and Vedic times. Shiva is often depicted as an ashy-skinned ascetic (Skt. siddha) seated in meditation, with dreadlocks, a trident, and a garland of snakes. Shiva can also be depicted with his wife Parvati, or with one leg elegantly raised as the universe-ending “Lord of the Dance” (Skt. Nataraja). Shiva is often worshiped as “the destroyer” in a trinity with Brahma (“the creator”) and Vishnu (“the preserver”). Hindu traditions that worship Shiva are called “Shaivites.” Shaivite traditions included groups of antinomian meditators who dwelled in charnel grounds, and were important in the early development of tantra.