Shiva

Siva (also spelt Shiva) is a Hindu god. In the Hindu trinity, Shiva is God of destruction. However, even though he represents destruction, he is viewed as a positive force, since creation follows on from destruction.

Shiva is the chief god of Shaivism?, one of the two main branches of Hinduism today (the other being Vaishnavism?).

Shiva's consort is known as his Shakti?. Shakti comes in the form of several goddess, one of whom is Kali, the goddess of death. According to the foundational myth of Kalism, Kali came into existence when Shiva looked into himself; she is his mirror image. Kali is often depicted having sexual intercourse with Shiva's dead and lifeless body. Shiva is dead to signify his passiveness in relation to Kali.

Hindus believe Shiva to be just one of many different forms of the universal Atman, a monistic entity to which all things, Shiva and everything else, are identical.

What are the major Shaivite texts/schools? Does Shiva have avatars like Vishnu had?

Siva/Talk