Shiva: An Introduction

This work is an attempt to understand the meaning of Shiva worship in our time exploring various pictorial images of Shiva iconography, taking us through Shaivite philosophy, beliefs, history, folklore and myth. It is the first step in an infinite voyage to unveil the whole picture by giving the general reader a clear and substantial account of Shiva and Shaivism. The mythology of Shiva expresses divine predicament in human terms: the gods play and act in the language of man, for man. Myths are not common tales, they are not parables or legends. They are conceived in dreams and expressed through symbols as a reaction to man’s inexplicable yet desperate need to validate his presence in the cosmos. They do not teach. They generate experience.  Highlights include lucid explanations and a pictorial key to numerous symbols associated with Shaivite ritual and festival practices, a map of India showing important Shiva temples including the twelve Jyotir-lingas, a list of 108 sacred names of Shiva with their meanings, a bibliography for those interested in learning more, and over 150 illustrations of which many are in color.