Shaiv ( शैव )

One of the three major Sanatan sects is Shaiv. In Shaiv, ‘Shiv’ or ‘Shiva’ is worshipped as the supreme being which means he is the producer, preserver, and destroyer of all. The path of following Shiv to attain the truth of life, nature & soul can be comprehended as Shaivism.

Lord Shiv/Shiva?

Shiv/Shiva is one of the principal deities of Sanatan. As per the believers of the Shaiv sect, he is the most powerful of all. He is the most innocent of all devas because if someone impresses him then he will get the boon of choice (except of being immortal). Also, he is known as the destroyer within the Trimurti [Brahma, Vishnu & Mahesh (another name of Shiv)]. Shiv is benevolent, who loves all beings living & non-living (thus called Pashupatinath) as well as he is fearsome who can destroy anything or everything (thus called Rudra). The abode of Shiva is 'Mount Kailash'

Shiv is 'anadi' means 'no start no end'.

How does Shiv look like?

As per the ancient scriptures, his natural form is described as a masculine man with the serpent king Vasuki and a garland of skulls around his neck, the Crescent Moon on his head, the holy river Ganga flowing through his matted hair, the Third Eye on his forehead, a trident i.e. Trishul as his weapon, and a Damru.

Widely known names of Shiv:

Below are some out of many names by which Shiv is known across the globe:
Adiyogi, Bhairav, Bhola, Bholenath, Gangadhar, Kailashadhipati, Mahadev, Mahakal, Mahesh, Natraja, Omkar, Pashupati, Rudra, Shambhu, Shankar, Shiv/Shiva, Trinetradhari, Vishwanath, and many more.