Shiva (Hinduism)

Shiva is one of the principal deities of Hinduism, known as the Destroyer or Transformer within the Trimurti, which includes Brahma (the Creator) and Vishnu (the Preserver). He embodies aspects of creation, preservation, and destruction, symbolizing life's cycles of birth, death, and renewal. Shiva is often depicted with a third eye, a crescent moon, and a trident, representing wisdom, time, and power. He is also associated with meditation, asceticism, and dance (Nataraja). Revered as a compassionate god who grants liberation (moksha), Shiva's worship spans diverse traditions and practices across Hinduism.