Shiva

1. Shiva Dileeni M and Jasmin P

2. destroyer god and restorer of the universe or transformer among the Trimuti • represents the aspects of supreme being • Third member of the trinity associated with reincarnation • symbols are bull and linga • as a third eye to give him inward vision and for burning • also known as the lord of dancer (Nataraj) Interesting Facts

3. Story of Shiva The Tiger & the Leaves: Once a hunter while chasing a deer wandered into a dense forest and found himself on the banks of river Kolidum when he heard the growl of a tiger. To protect himself from the beast he climbed up a tree nearby. The tiger pitched itself on the ground below the tree fostering no intention to leave. The hunter stayed up in the tree all night and to keep himself from falling asleep, he gently plucked one leaf after another from the tree and threw it down. Under the tree was a Shiva Linga and the tree blessedly turned out to be a bilva tree. Unknowingly the man had pleased the deity with bilva leaves. At sunrise, the hunter looked down to find the tiger gone, and in its place stood Lord Shiva. He prostrated before the Lord and attained salvation from the cycle of birth and death.

4. Importance of Shiva Shiva is an important god in Hinduism because he is the god that helps reincarnation and the destroyer of evil. He basically decides how you will live your after death, your destroyed (reincarnation) or sent to god.

5. Appearance of Shiva • Holds a trident a rosary and a gourd in his hands • vehicle is a bull • when he is the god of dance he is shown holding a drum, serpent and sacred fire • Performing the dance of creation • He holds water from the sacred Ganges River in his hair • His wife is goddess Parvati