Deity

Shiva

शिवŚiva

Also called Shiv, Mahadev, Mahakal, Bholenath

verses
35,438
books
38
chapters
4,667
Parent of
Ganesha, Kartikeya
Abode
Kashi
Consort of
Parvati, Sati

What the texts say

In the Shiva Purana, Shiva is the agent of dissolution, one of three ways the one Supreme Lord appears. Shiva Purana 2.2.2.15 The same Purana calls him the supreme yogi, absorbed in yoga. Shiva Purana 2.2.10.39 There, Shankara, one of Shiva's names, took his abode on Kailasa with his divine consort. Shiva Purana 2.2.10.59 The Purana says fire from Shiva's third eye reduced Kama, the god of desire, to ashes. Shiva Purana 2.3.20.2 In the Bhagavata Purana, the gods sought shelter with Shiva from a spreading poison, and he drank it, leaving a bluish line on his neck. Bhagavatam 8.7.19, 8.7.42, 8.7.43 In the Ramayana, the earth cannot bear the river Ganga's descent, so she falls on the head of Shiva, the trident-bearer, seen as the only one able to hold her. Ramayana 1.43.7, 1.42.24 The Linga Purana calls the Linga Shiva's emblem, a sacred sign for contemplation and worship. Linga Purana 1.3.1

Where to read

Every verse that names Shiva, book by book.

  1. Skanda Purana

    8,819 verses · 1,171 chapters

    All 8,819 verses in the Skanda Purana
    • 1.4.16.14

      O Śambhu, by you the arm of the slayer of Jambha (Indra) was frozen in its fury; for how long, alas, did it stand there—like a pillar of victory?

    • 1.3.2.1

      Brahmā said: Then I, reciting the Vedas with all my mouths, praised Śiva with devotion overflowing, having performed worship within the mind.

    • 1.1.5.13

      Entering that best of mountains, he beheld Sadāśiva—Rudra dwelling in solitude—attended by Śailāda (Nandin).

  2. Shiva Purana

    8,165 verses · 450 chapters

    All 8,165 verses in the Shiva Purana
    • 2.3.24.1

      The Devas said: “Salutations to Rudra, the Divine Lord; salutations to the slayer of Madana (Kāma). Salutations to Him who is worthy of praise, who shines with abundant radiance, the Three‑eyed One—again and again we bow.”

    • 2.4.2.6

      The Devas said: “O God of gods, O Mahādeva, O Lord—ocean of compassion! You are indeed the Inner Ruler of all beings; therefore, O Śaṅkara, you know everything.”

    • 2.2.42.3

      Śrī Mahādeva said: “O foremost among the gods, listen attentively to my words. Dear ones, I shall tell you the truth as it is—(for) I am ever able to bear and restrain your anger.”

  3. Linga Purana

    3,205 verses · 161 chapters

    All 3,205 verses in the Linga Purana
    • 2.27.2

      In ancient times, Lord Īśa (Śiva), the Pati who liberates the bound souls (paśus), taught Manu the rite called Jayābhiṣeka—the consecration that grants victory and auspicious attainment.

    • 1.85.1

      Thus, in the Śrī Liṅga Mahāpurāṇa, in the Pūrva-bhāga, begins the eighty-fifth chapter called “The Vow of Umā and Maheśvara.” Sūta said: “In all sacred observances, having duly and completely worshipped the God of gods—Umā’s Lord—let the…

    • 1.98.1

      Thus, in the Śrī Liṅga Mahāpurāṇa, in the Pūrvabhāga, begins the ninety-seventh chapter called “The Slaying of Jalandhara.” The sages said: “O Sūta, please tell us—how did Lord Viṣṇu obtain the discus named Sudarśana from Maheśvara, the…

  4. Padma Purana

    2,852 verses · 442 chapters

    All 2,852 verses in the Padma Purana
    • 1.17.1

      Bhīṣma said: O best of the twice-born, what wondrous event occurred in that sacrifice? And how was Rudra situated there, and also Viṣṇu—the foremost among the gods?

    • 5.114.6

      Śambhu said: “O Rāma, this brāhmaṇa once possessed every kind of wealth. Enjoying many sorts of comforts, he was devoted to providing for his wife.”

    • 1.43.47

      But the child asked for the slaying of the demon after seven days. That boy, when seven days old, will become foremost among Śaṅkara’s attendants.

Also named in

Key chapters

The chapters where Shiva matters most.

  1. Devas’ Hymn, Nandikeśvara’s Petition, and Śiva’s Rising from Samādhi

    Shiva Purana 2.3.24 · 37 verses

    Supreme refuge

  2. Description of the Birth/Manifestation of Śiva’s Son

    Shiva Purana 2.4.2 · 46 verses

    Bhaktavatsala savior and metaphysical authority

  3. Aruṇācala as Jyotirmaya-Liṅga: Brahmā-Viṣṇu Stuti, Śiva’s Anugraha, and the Establishment of Worship

    Skanda Purana 1.4.16 · 13 verses

  4. Consolation of the Devas and the Ordinance of Consequences in the Dakṣa-Yajña Episode

    Shiva Purana 2.2.42 · 33 verses

    Principal speaker

  5. Search for Kārttikeya and the Nandī Dialogue

    Shiva Purana 2.4.4 · 31 verses

    Doctrinal arbiter and cosmic sovereign

  6. Brahmā-Viṣṇu-Pūjā: Upacāra-Vistāra and Īśvara’s Prasāda (Offerings in Shiva Worship and the Lord’s Grace)

    Shiva Purana 1.1.9 · 8 verses

    Recipient and measure of worship

  7. Aruṇācala as Jyotirmaya Sthāvara-Liṅga: Stuti, Darśana, and Boon-Granting

    Skanda Purana 1.3.2 · 15 verses

  8. The Latter Part: Advanced Rituals, Consecrations, and Pashupata Yoga

    Linga Purana 2.27 · 101 verses

  9. Grades of Devotees and the Praise of Knowledge-Centered Devotion

    Shiva Purana 2.2.43 · 20 verses

    Primary teacher

  10. Maya’s Hymn to Śiva (and Śiva’s Gracious Response)

    Shiva Purana 2.5.12 · 22 verses

    Gracious absolute who receives praise

Key episodes

  1. The Churning of the Ocean (Samudra Manthan)

    Bhagavatam 8.5-8.10

  2. Durga Slays Mahishasura

    Markandeya Purana 82-84

  3. Brahma's Sacrifice at Pushkara and Savitri's Curse

    Padma Purana 1.16-1.17

  4. The Descent of the Ganga: Sagara's Sons and Bhagiratha

    Ramayana 1.38-1.44

  5. The Pillar of Fire: Brahma, Vishnu and the Endless Linga

    Shiva Purana 1.1.6-1.1.9

  6. Daksha's Sacrifice and Sati's Self-Immolation

    Shiva Purana 2.2.26-2.2.43

  7. Shiva Burns Kama

    Shiva Purana 2.3.17-2.3.21

  8. Parvati's Austerity to Win Shiva

    Shiva Purana 2.3.22-2.3.29

  9. The Birth of Kartikeya and the Slaying of Taraka

    Shiva Purana 2.4.1-2.4.12

  10. The Birth of Ganesha and His Elephant Head

    Shiva Purana 2.4.13-2.4.18

  11. Ganesha and Kartikeya Race Around the World

    Shiva Purana 2.4.19-2.4.20

  12. Shiva Destroys the Three Cities (Tripura)

    Shiva Purana 2.5.1-2.5.12

Also known to Wikipedia · Wikidata Q11378