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| Om Namah Shivaya |
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The three ones of the Hindu Trinity are Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. Brahm (The Supreme Spirit) generated Brahma, the Creator, for the creation of the Universe and for the purpose of nurturing and preserving the Universe, Vishnu, the Preserver, was created. This is a law of Nature that whatever is born in the Universe must die. In turn, whatever dies is born again. To let this process continue, Brahm generated Shiva, the Destroyer. This gives Shiva the most important place. Brahm produced Shiva out of his own middle and created himself from his right as Brahma and from his left Vishnu. It means Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva are his own portions or manifestations. Brahm is the Supreme Spirit or being which is eternal as well as endless. He is invisible and unknowable.
As per the description of Shiva given in the Puranas or his idols and pictures, we find him very handsome, rather captivating. His complexion is white as that of camphor. The colour of his neck portion is blue. It is said that Shiva drank the poison which was produced as a result of sea-churning. It was to save the living beings lest they should be killed by its use. This is why, he is called "Neel Kantha" too. He smears his body with sacred ashes. He has metted tufts of long hair on his head. In addition to normal two eyes, he has a third one between the two eye-brows.
He wears a crescent on his forehead. So, he is called "Chandrashekhar". He wears a rosary of snakes around his neck, a girdle of snakes around his waist and holy thread also of snakes. You can see amulets of again snakes. He is also shown as having forearm with a trident (Trishul) in one hand, minidrum (Damaru) in the other hand, the third hand being in the posture of assuring protection and the fourth granting boons.
In many pictures and temple premises, he is depicted in the company of Parvati (his spouse) sons Ganesh and Kartikeys, his bull Nandi (his vehicle as well as chief of his troops-the Ganas) and a deer. His main weapon is Trishul. It is also considered a symbol of Creation, Preservation and Destruction. He is also said to be the originator of all forms of dance. His Nataraj pose is well-known. In this pose, he is shown having his damaru in one hand and holding fire in the second one. His third hand in the pose of granting protection and the fourth one is bent towards his second foot.
In the temples, Shiva-linga is also worshipped along with the image of Ganesh. It is believed that worship of Shiva-ling alone grants fruits of worshipping Shiva and all other Gods put together. Shiva means assimilation of the mortals with the Truth. Linga too means the place in which the destroyed or shattered creature or matter gets absorbed. Both the terms stand for God The Supreme Being or Spirit.
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