Shiva

Ishwars

Shiva was born from the forehead of Virat-Purush during the beginning of the creation phase. Of the five eternal entities, he belongs to the ishwar category. He gains his powers when Purushottam Narayan enters and inspires him to engage in his activities. He resides in Kailās with his consort Pārvati and sons Ganesh and Kārtikeya. He is responsible for destruction in the world. He is predominantly a tamo-gun ishwar. He remains engrossed in meditation and has a form of a great yogi and an ascetic. He has a serpent wrapped around his neck. His instruments are: shrungi, damaru, and a ran-shingu (war-horn). His weapons are a trident and a bow. His vehicle is Nandi. He is easily pleased and compassionate; therefore, he is known as Āshutosh. He has a third eye on his forehead between the eyebrows. He is also known as Mahādev. In the Hindu faith, he is among the most well-known deities. There are many mandirs dedicated to him in all of Bharat. Most well known among them are the 12 Swayambhu Jyotirling.

Other names for Shiva: Mahādev, Maheshwar, Shankar, Shambhu, Rudra, Har, Trilochan, Bhava, etc.