Together with Brahma and Vishnu, one of the principal deities in Hinduism. Within Shaivism he is viewed as the Supreme deity, whereas in other branches of Hinduism such as the Smarta tradition he is worshipped as one of the six manifestations of the Divine
There are some cultural details in Schissel’s story that are specific to the Jewish community: the family sits shive (seven days of mourning for the dead), and the preference for silence at that time.
Siva. or Siva Major deity of Hinduism, believed to have many manifestations. Like Vishnu, he is the subject of an elaborate and sometimes contradictory mythology. He is both the destroyer and the restorer, the great ascetic and the symbol of sensuality, the benevolent herdsman of souls and the wrathful avenger. His female consort is known under various manifestations, including Parvati, Durga, and Kali. In Shaivism he is worshiped as the paramount lord
part of the primary Hindu trinity of gods, the destroyer; unlike Vishnu, Shiva being an ascetic prefers to distance himself from the world, and it is this lack of action that causes the universe's cycle to wind down
One of the most popular of gods in bhakti Hinduism To his worshippers, Shiva is known as Mahadeva (the great God), god of opposites: light and darkness, good and evil, creation and destruction, rest and activity, mild and terrible, male and female He is said to be the patron of yogis (followers of dhyana yoga) One of his popular images is that of the cosmic dancer (Shiva-nataraj), whose dance brings the cosmos into being, sustains it, and will eventually bring about its dissolution, only to be recreated again His most common image is the lingam, an abstract symbol of Shiva's regenerative powers--sometimes seen sexually as a phallus but more often not He is not worshipped in the form of an avatar Shiva's consort or wife is Parvati Devotees of Shiva are known as Shaivas
Associated with Creation, He is Brahma; with Protection, He is Vishnu; with Dissolution, He is Siva (BV-30) Shiva Destroyer in the trinity of Brahma (the Creator), Vishnu (the Preserver), and Shiva (Rudra) The embodiment of spiritual wisdom and God of Gods, Mahadeva Sankara (RRV-9) Shiva, the deity whose bow Rama lifted to win Sita's hand in marriage (RRV-7c)