Maheshwara

Shiva
God of Creation, Destruction, Regeneration, Meditation, Arts, Yoga and Moksha
A statue symbolizing Shiva in meditative pose.
Devanagari	शिव (IAST: Śiva)
Affiliation	Supreme Being (Shaivism), Trimurti, Deva
Abode	Mount Kailash
Mantra	Om Namah Shivaya
Weapon	Trishula, Pashupatastra
Symbols	Lingam
Mount	Nandi
Festivals	Maha Shivaratri, Bhairava Ashtami, Sitalsasthi
Personal Information
Consort	Sati, Parvati
Children	Ganesha, Kartikeya; Regional: Aiyanar (Ayyappan), Ashokasundari

Shiva (/ˈʃivə/; IAST: Śiva, lit. the auspicious one) is one of the principal deities of Hinduism. He is the Supreme Being within Shaivism, one of the major traditions within contemporary Hinduism.

Shiva is the "destroyer and transformer" within the Trimurti, the Hindu trinity that includes Brahma and Vishnu. In Shaivism tradition, Shiva is the Supreme being who creates, protects and transforms the universe. In the goddess tradition of Hinduism called Shaktism, the goddess is described as supreme, yet Shiva is revered along with Vishnu and Brahma. A goddess is stated to be the energy and creative power (Shakti) of each, with Parvati the equal complementary partner of Shiva. He is one of the five equivalent deities in Panchayatana puja of the Smarta tradition of Hinduism.

At the highest level, Shiva is regarded as formless, limitless, transcendent and unchanging absolute Brahman, and the primal Atman (soul, self) of the universe. Shiva has many benevolent and fearsome depictions. In benevolent aspects, he is depicted as an omniscient Yogi who lives an ascetic life on Mount Kailash as well as a householder with wife Parvati and his two children, Ganesha and Kartikeya. In his fierce aspects, he is often depicted slaying demons. Shiva is also known as Adiyogi Shiva, regarded as the patron god of yoga, meditation and arts.