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Glite Dictionary
Shiva

Shiva

13 7.7
A major Hindu god who destroys and changes the world
  • proper noun
  • /ˈʃiːvə/
: Shiva
  • Farther into the museum, we came across a massive granite sculpture of the Hindu god Shiva excavated near Pandrethan.
  • Shiva Temple
  • Lord Shiva
  • Shiva the Destroyer

So I used to have collect all the little picture of the gods, you know, Krishna, Shiva and I would put them.

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Examples

  • In Brahmanic cosmology, the universe is created and destroyed through dance, Shiva's dance.

    Academic text (2009)

  • Keoladeo derives its name from the Shiva temple found within the park's dense forest.

    Academic text (2005)

  • Prayers to Shiva, who is everything.

    Ruby in Paradise (1993)

  • For Shiva is both creator and destroyer combined.

    Youth Without Youth (2007)

  • Inside, light pours in from three sides, casting the Shiva sculptures on the walls into dramatic relief.

    Academic text (2007)

  • Behind her, Shiva appears as the androgyne, the half-man, half-woman creator of all living things.

    Academic text (2007)

  • The Indian chromolithograph shows Shiva as an ascetic in deep meditation atop the Himalayas.

    Academic text (1999)

  • Isis, Osiris, and Horus, along with Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, long preceded God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

    Fiction book (2000)

  • The symbolism of Kali striding over Shiva reflects her superiority as without her he would remain inert and the universe itself would perish.

  • Many devotees visit the ancient temple to offer their prayers to Shiva during the festival.

Synonyms

Siva
vsShiva
1 7.9

A main god in Hinduism who is worshipped as the destroyer and restorer of worlds

emphasizes destruction that brings wide transformation within the Hindu trinity

Surface Forms

Shiva main

Etymology

Shiva comes from the Sanskrit word śiva, which means 'auspicious' or 'lucky'. So, even though Shiva is called a destroyer, his name reminds us that this destroying is meant to bring positive change and new life.